Yew Podocarpus Plant Care

Yew Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki) belongs to the Podocarpaceae family within the Podocarpus genus. Yew Podocarpus is native to southern China, northern Myanmar, Taiwan, and south-central and southern Japan. Yew Podocarpus is also known as Japanese Yew, Buddhist Pine, Southern Yew.

Yew Podocarpus displays a slow-growing, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Yew Podocarpus produces insignificant flowers, mainly grown for foliage.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Yew Podocarpus every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Yew Podocarpus thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Yew Podocarpus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Yew Podocarpus prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, acidic soil with added organic matter like peat moss or compost. Good drainage is essential for Yew Podocarpus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Yew Podocarpus every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil with added organic matter like peat moss or compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Yew Podocarpus is suited to USDA Zone 7b – 11a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Yew Podocarpus can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Yew Podocarpus while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Yew Podocarpus is hardy down to USDA zone 7b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Yew Podocarpus can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to yellowwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Yew Podocarpus is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Yew Podocarpus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7b – 11a. It survives winters down to planting zone 7b. Yew Podocarpus is native to southern China, northern Myanmar, Taiwan, and south-central and southern Japan.