Cupressus macrocarpa

Origin

California

Family

Cupressaceae

Description

The lemon cypress is also known as the 'Gold Crest' , and gets its name from the characteristic strong lemon scent that it gives off when anyone brushes against the leaves or crushes the foliage. This evergreen coniferous tree can be grown indoors as well as outdoors.

The maximum height of a dwarf lemon cypress is usually three feet. With their greenish-yellow, needle-like foliage and conical growing habit, this plant work wonderfully as topiaries. The fresh lemony scent is an added advantage

Environment

Plant your cypress lemon plant in well-drained soil. It should be close to a window where it will receive at least 6-8 hours a day of direct sun. Although it prefers full sun, it can tolerate some light shade.

Water regularly, making sure the soil is always moist. Do not overwater, or let the plant sit in soggy soil, but do not allow it dry out. Depending on temperature and weather, young cypress lemon plants may need to be watered daily. Well-established examples will not need watering quite as often, but still should not be allowed to dry out.

Fertilize your cypress lemon plant once a year in the spring with an all-purpose fertilizer. Be careful not to over-fertilize, which could be more harmful to the plant than not fertilizing at all. Avoid fertilizing in the fall.

For plants kept in inddor, place in a sunny location. Although easy to take care of, cypress lemon plants require plenty of sunlight to thrive. Avoid direct sun.

Landscape Uses

It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.