Totara Plant Care

Totara (Podocarpus totara) belongs to the Podocarpaceae family within the Podocarpus genus. Totara is native to New Zealand. Totara is also known as Totara Podocarp.

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

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Totara 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.

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

Podocarpus totara tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Totara prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Totara 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.

Totara is suited to USDA Zone 8b – 11b.

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.

Totara 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 Totara 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.

Totara is hardy down to USDA zone 8b, 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.

Totara 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.

Totara 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.

Totara grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Totara is native to New Zealand.