Lemon Thread False Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Sulphurea'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Sawara cypress 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' is a striking ornamental evergreen conifer with a unique and eye-catching appearance. It sports feathery foliage with a soft, textured look that is very appealing in landscape designs. The foliage color is a vibrant, bright yellow, with a bushy, fluffy appearance that stands out against the more common green tones found in garden settings. The needles are arranged in a somewhat disorderly, yet artistically appealing fashion that gives the plant a graceful, informal aspect. As the seasons change, the yellow may become tinged with shades that reflect the cooler temperatures, adding to the plant's visual interest. Overall, the Sawara cypress 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' is a colorful, visually pleasing plant with a distinctive presence in any setting where it is used.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Cupressaceae
- Synonyms
  Moss Cypress, Squarrosa Sulphur Cypress, Japanese False Cypress, Golden Moss Cypress
- Common names
  Retinispora squarrosa, Retinospora squarrosa, Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Aurea', Cupressus squarrosa
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Sawara cypress is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases or symptoms of poisoning from ingesting parts of this plant. However, it is always advisable to avoid consuming any part of ornamental plants due to potential individual allergic reactions or unknown toxicities.
- To pets
  Similar to its effects on humans, the Sawara cypress is not known to be toxic to pets. If pets accidentally ingest parts of this plant, they are unlikely to experience symptoms of poisoning. As with any non-food plant, ingestion should still be avoided due to the possibility of gastrointestinal upset or individual sensitivity.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Height
  4-5 feet [1.2-1.5 meters]
- Spread
  4-6 feet [1.2-1.8 meters]
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  Japan

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds texture and color with its fine, feathery foliage and distinctive yellow-green hues.
- Landscape Versatility: Works well in various garden settings, from formal landscapes to rock gardens.
- Easy Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care once established.
- Drought Tolerance: Can tolerate periods of dryness once fully rooted, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Cold Hardy: Resistant to cold temperatures, making it suitable for planting in many colder regions.
- Pest Resistance: Typically resistant to common pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Long-Lived: Can live for many years, providing a long-term presence in the landscape.
- Privacy Screen: Can be used to create a natural privacy barrier or windbreak when planted in rows.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and potential nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers year-round visual interest, with foliage color that may change slightly with the seasons.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Artistic Topiaries: The 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' is often used in topiary gardens due to its fine-textured foliage and adaptability to pruning, allowing for creative and intricate shapes to be sculpted over time.
- Bonsai Cultivation: This plant is suitable for bonsai due to its slow growth and ability to tolerate trimming and shaping, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts of the art form.
- Model Railroading: Miniature landscape builders for model railroads use 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' to mimic full-sized trees due to their small, scale-appropriate needles and dense growth.
- Film and Television Set Design: Set designers sometimes incorporate 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' into outdoor scenes or create forest backdrops due to their texture and color.
- Erosion Control: Because of its robust root system, this plant is occasionally used on slopes or areas prone to erosion to help maintain soil stability.
- Habitat Restoration: 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' can be planted as part of reforestation efforts or to restore native plant communities in applicable regions.
- Garden Photography: The unique color and structure of 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' make it an excellent subject for garden photographers seeking to capture the interplay of light and foliage.
- Noise Reduction: When planted in dense rows, 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' can function as a sound barrier, muffling street or neighborhood noise in urban gardens.
- Seasonal Decoration: Branches of 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' may be used in wreaths or other seasonal decorations because of their attractive foliage and resilience when cut.
- Thematic Gardens: This plant is used in storytelling or thematic gardens to represent elements such as serenity or tranquility, often featuring in Japanese-style garden arrangements.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Sawara cypress is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Sawara cypress is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Longevity: The Chamaecyparis pisifera, commonly known as Sawara Cypress, is an evergreen conifer which symbolizes longevity due to its potential to live for many years, often outliving human generations.
- Strength: As a species of Cypress, it is often connected with the idea of strength and endurance, given its hardy nature and ability to withstand various environmental conditions.
- Peace: Like many conifers, the Sawara Cypress may also be considered a symbol of serenity and peace, often used in gardens and landscapes to create a tranquil setting.

💧

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-5 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late winter to early spring

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
The Sawara cypress should be watered deeply and thoroughly, allowing the soil to become somewhat dry between waterings. As a general guide, this might translate to watering every 7 to 10 days, adjusting for temperature and weather conditions. In the warmer months, this could mean using approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons per watering for a young plant, ensuring you reach the root zone. During cooler seasons or in particularly rainy climates, water less frequently. Always avoid overwatering, as Sawara cypress does not tolerate standing water or soggy soil.
Light
The Sawara cypress thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. The ideal spot for this plant would be a location where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. However, it's also important to provide some shade during the hottest part of the day, especially in very warm climates, to prevent scorching.
Temperature
Sawara cypress is hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the ideal temperature range for promoting healthy growth lies between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing young plants to extremes, as they are more prone to damage.
Pruning
Pruning the Sawara cypress is mainly done to shape the plant and maintain its desired size. It is best pruned in the late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Light pruning should be conducted yearly; heavy pruning should be less frequent to avoid shocking the plant. Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts and avoid cutting into the older, woodier part of the plant, which may not regenerate effectively.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for the Sawara cypress 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' consists of well-draining, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH between 5.5 and 7.0 is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Sawara cypress 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' generally requires repotting every 4-5 years, as it is a slow grower. It is best to repot in the spring before new growth starts.
Humidity & Misting
Sawara cypress 'Squarrosa Sulphurea' prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the drier air typical of most home environments. No specific humidity requirements need to be met.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to partial shade and protect from harsh winds.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
The Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Sulphurea', commonly known as the Japanese False Cypress, begins its life cycle as a seed, which requires a period of stratification to overcome dormancy before germination. Upon germination, the seedling stage is characterized by initial root and shoot development, during which the plant is particularly vulnerable to environmental conditions. As it enters the juvenile phase, the plant develops its distinct feathery, fine-textured foliage that is initially bright yellow-green and matures to a golden-yellow hue on the tips with greenish hues beneath. The Japanese False Cypress reaches maturity in several years and starts producing cones; the male cones are small and brown, while female cones are green maturing to brown, and contain seeds for reproduction. Fully matured, it becomes a dense, conical to pyramidal-shaped evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach from 10 to 50 feet tall, depending on environmental conditions and cultivation practices. The plant can live for several decades, during which it may undergo cycles of growth, cone production, and dormancy, particularly in regions with distinct seasons.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late winter to early spring
- The Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa Sulphurea', commonly known as the Sawara cypress, is most effectively propagated by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in the late summer. To do this, cuttings of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) should be snipped from the current year's growth. The lower end of the cutting should be stripped of its foliage, and it's helpful to dip this end in a rooting hormone to enhance root development. The prepared cuttings can then be placed in a mixture of peat and perlite or sand, ensuring they are kept moist and in a well-lit environment without direct sunlight. A misting system can also be beneficial to maintain high humidity around the cuttings. Roots typically begin to form within a few months, after which the young plants can be transferred to individual pots to continue growing until they are ready to be planted in their final location.