Lemon Cypress
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa
Lemon Cypress is a bright chartreuse-yellow cultivar of Monterey Cypress whose foliage smells of lemon when brushed. It is popular as a potted topiary and small landscape conifer.
- Light
- Bright direct light to full sun
- Water
- Moderate; keep soil lightly moist, never soggy
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Lemon Cypress is the golden cultivar 'Goldcrest' of Monterey Cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, formerly Cupressus macrocarpa). It is grown for its vivid chartreuse-yellow scale foliage that releases a fresh lemon scent when touched.
In pots it is usually kept as a compact cone or topiary 1 to 3 feet tall, while planted in mild climates it can grow into a small tree of 6 to 16 feet.
It is sold widely as an indoor-outdoor decorative conifer, especially around the holidays, though it prefers cool, bright conditions and resents stagnant indoor heat.
How to identify it
- Foliage: Soft, feathery sprays of tiny scale-like leaves in bright golden-yellow to chartreuse; strongly lemon-scented when crushed
- Habit: Narrow, upright conical form; often shaped into a tight cone or spiral topiary
- Size: Usually 1 to 3 feet potted; up to 6 to 16 feet in the ground in mild climates
- Cones: Round woody cones, rarely produced on young potted plants
- Color cue: Brightest gold in full sun; greener in low light
Care & growing
Needs lots of light and good airflow; commonly struggles as a long-term houseplant.
- Light: Very bright light or full sun; the more light, the brighter the gold color
- Water: Keep soil lightly and evenly moist; never let it fully dry out or sit soggy, as it does not recover from drought
- Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic potting mix
- Temperature: Prefers cool 50 to 70 F; hardy outdoors in USDA zones 7 to 10
- Feeding: Light feeding in spring and summer with balanced fertilizer
- Propagation: Semi-hardwood cuttings
Indoors, give it the coolest, brightest spot and good air circulation; brown, crispy foliage from dryness or heat will not green up again.
Habitat & origin
The parent species, Monterey Cypress, is native to a tiny natural range on the central California coast near Monterey. The 'Goldcrest' cultivar was selected in cultivation and is now grown worldwide.
Lemon Cypress is sold globally as a container plant and is planted outdoors in mild Mediterranean and coastal climates.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Lemon Cypress turning brown?
Browning usually means the soil dried out completely or the plant got too hot and dry; unlike many plants, brown cypress foliage does not recover, so keep it evenly moist and cool.
Can Lemon Cypress live indoors?
Only with very bright light, cool temperatures, and good airflow. It is really an outdoor plant and often declines in warm, dim interiors over time.
Does it really smell like lemon?
Yes. Brushing or crushing the foliage releases a fresh lemon-citrus fragrance, which is the source of its common name.
How big does Lemon Cypress get?
Kept potted it stays 1 to 3 feet, but planted outdoors in a mild climate it can grow into a small tree up to roughly 16 feet tall.
Lemon Cypress guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Lemon Cypress.
