Vietnamese cypress Plant Care
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis Farjon & T.H.Nguyên
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Xanthocyparis is a genus of cypresses in the family Cupressaceae. As of August 2021, it has only one species, Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, native to Vietnam and southeast China.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
0–100°F
30–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Vietnamese cypress?
Plant Vietnamese cypress in full sun to partial shade and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F (-18–38°C).
What Is the Vietnamese cypress?
Vietnamese cypress (Xanthocyparis vietnamensis) belongs to the Cupressaceae family within the Xanthocyparis genus. Vietnamese cypress is native to Vietnam and southeast China.
Vietnamese cypress displays a pyramidal, conical tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Vietnamese cypress produces inconspicuous, small cones.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Vietnamese cypress?
Water a young or newly planted Vietnamese cypress 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Vietnamese cypress Need?
Vietnamese cypress thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Vietnamese cypress Prefer?
Xanthocyparis vietnamensis tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Vietnamese cypress prefers humidity levels of 30–70%.
Temperature
0–100°F
Humidity
30–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Vietnamese cypress?
Well-draining sandy loam with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Vietnamese cypress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Vietnamese cypress?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Vietnamese cypress?
Vietnamese cypress can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 60 ft (18 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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.
How Do You Prune a Vietnamese cypress?
Prune Vietnamese cypress 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.
How Do You Care for a Vietnamese cypress in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes — evergreens keep losing water through their needles all winter, 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.
How Do You Propagate a Vietnamese cypress?
Vietnamese cypress can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings.
Is the Vietnamese cypress Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Vietnamese cypress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Vietnamese cypress?
Vietnamese cypress is susceptible to spider mites, bagworms, cypress canker. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Vietnamese cypress is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Xanthocyparis genus — compare its care with other Xanthocyparis species on PlantoScan.
Xanthocyparis is part of the Cupressaceae plant family — browse all Cupressaceae genera and species.
Vietnamese cypress thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Xanthocyparis vietnamensis Farjon & T.H.Nguyên, family Cupressaceae (first published in Novon 12: 180 (2002)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Vietnamese cypress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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