Chamaecyparis obtusa Lycopodioides - Hinoki Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa Lycopodioides
Hinoki Cypress, Japanese Cypress, Hinoki False Cypress

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Chamaecyparis obtusa Lycopodioides - Hinoki Cypress 4L/5L pot sample as delivered in autumn

4L/5L pot (Shipped height around 30/40cm)

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Sku: 190591

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This variety of false cypress has an irregular globose habit, and branches with variable appearance that give it an original silhouette: they are occasionally flattened or twisted. The very dense foliage is composed of round, well-contrasted scales, initially light green, then shiny dark green. With its slow growth and small size, it is perfect for small gardens, rockeries or containers.

Height at maturity

2 m

Spread at maturity

1.50 m

Exposure

Sun, Partial shade

Hardiness

Hardy down to -23.5°C

Soil moisture

Moist soil

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Best planting time March, October

Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

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Description

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Lycopodioides' is a variety of Japanese false cypress that is most unusual. Of modest stature and a beautiful dark green colour, it has a globose, irregular habit, and a curious growth, sometimes twisted, reminiscent of certain ferns called clubmosses. Its foliage is composed of round and dense scales, light green when young, emerging against a shiny green background. With its slow growth and small size, it is perfect for small gardens, rockeries, or large pots. It prefers moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic soils and dislikes hot and dry conditions as well as strong winds.

Also known as Hinoki cypress, and capable of reaching a height of 50m (164ft) in its natural environment, the false cypress is a large conifer of the cypress family. It is mainly used for making lacquered furniture and for the construction of numerous buildings such as palaces in its native Japan. This small-sized variety, 'Lycopodioides', with a globular habit, grows slowly. Reaching 1m (3ft 4in) in height after 10 years, it is a modest-sized conifer that will not exceed 3m (9ft 10in) in height and 1.50m (4ft 11in) in width. It develops branches of variable shape, randomly twisted or flattened. Its very fine branches are covered with non-prickly flattened needles.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Lycopodioides' is ideal for structuring a small urban garden or a flower bed. Due to its slow growth, it can be cultivated in a container or a large pot for several years. Its small Japanese silhouette will work wonders in a minimal setting, between large stones, and in a rockery. The architectural qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in a contemporary garden. Mix together dwarf conifers with a columnar, pyramidal, or narrow conical habit. These plants provide lasting structure to a flower bed, mark pathways and border terraces. They serve as a backdrop for small ground cover roses, peonies, or tousled grasses with a very complementary form. They can also be associated with ground cover plants such as dwarf wormwoods and silver baskets, as well as small perennials. The key is to play with volumes and colours.

Tips: Water during periods of high heat, as it is sensitive to drought.

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Chamaecyparis, False cypress: planting, pruning and caring for

Family sheet

Modified the 10 August 2025 by Eva 12 min.

Chamaecyparis, False cypress: planting, pruning and caring for

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Chamaecyparis are among those conifers with dense, scaly foliage appreciated for the making of hedges, notably the Chamaecyparis lawsoniana species, surprisingly used in its typical form. It is nevertheless one of the conifers that has produced the greatest number of cultivars (over 200!) such as Alumii with very compact, bluish foliage and a conical form of 3 to 4.50 m or Ellwoodii, much used in hedges. The wild form, capable in cultivation of reaching 36 m in height with a trunk of 1.20 m diameter, comes from the north‑west United States, like the giant Thuja. Its branchlets, tinged dark green or bluish green, with slightly trailing tips, give it a remarkable, somewhat phantasmagorical undulating appearance while its variety Aurea Densa forms a spectacularly compact golden column. Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) and Japanese Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) also offer a range of dwarf or moderately vigorous cultivars, with filamentous or, conversely, blunt branchlets, with a fern‑like habit (<a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/shrubs/conifers/conifers-by-variety/chamaecyparis/chamaecyparis-obtusa-teddy-bear-hinoki-cypress.html">C. obtusa Teddy Bear</a>), acidular in <a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/shrubs/conifers/conifers-by-variety/chamaecyparis/chamaecyparis-obtusa-wissel-hinoki-cypress.html">obtusa Wissel</a> in very attractive golden, bluish or intense green colours. The word 'Chamaecyparis' is derived from Greek and means 'cypress‑shaped', given the strong resemblance of its conical habit and its aromatic foliage made of small imbricate scales. However, Cupressus occupy dry, sunny southern areas while Chamaecyparis grow in sheltered, moist, often coastal areas. Chamaecyparis are not demanding about the nature of the soil, provided it is fresh, well‑drained and not excessively calcareous. The species lawsoniana shows a strong susceptibility to the Phytophthora fungus that decimates its wild population in the United States as well as in gardens where the disease is often spread by nurseries. And although they prefer fertile, deep humus, they adapt to less favoured ground, with moderate growth and reduced luxuriance. Avoid pruning them as much as possible.

Chamaecyparis obtusa Lycopodioides - Hinoki Cypress in pictures

Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2 m

Spread at maturity 1.50 m

Habit conical, pyramidal

Growth rate slow

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen

Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Chamaecyparis

Species

obtusa

Cultivar

Lycopodioides

Family

Cupressaceae

Other common names

Hinoki Cypress, Japanese Cypress, Hinoki False Cypress

Origin

Southeast Asia

Product reference • 19059

Planting and care

Chamaecyparis obtusa ''Lycopodioides' is best planted from September to November and from February to May in rich and deep, well-drained soil. Choose a partially shaded or gently sunny location sheltered from prevailing winds. Soak the root ball well before planting. Add organic fertilizer at planting and water generously in the first years. Apply a special conifer fertilizer every year in April and weed the soil in summer. It does not require pruning.

This variety has few soil requirements but tolerates limestone less well than its counterparts. It prefers deep, rich, soils and dislikes stagnant moisture in winter. Ensure good drainage of your soil. It appreciates moist and humid climates and does not tolerate dry conditions and prevailing winds. Although it tolerates shade it does best in a partially shaded or gently sunny area.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October

Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Woodland edge

Type of use Border, Edge of border, Free-standing, Container, Slope

Hardiness Hardy down to -23.5°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map

Ease of cultivation Amateur

Exposure Sun, Partial shade

Soil pH Acidic, Neutral

Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)

Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained