Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)
Care, watering, light and tips for Incense cedar on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Incense cedar
Calocedrus decurrens, also known as Incense Cedar or California Incense-cedar, is a majestic evergreen conifer native to western North America. It features glossy, dark green, scale-like foliage arranged in flat, vertical sprays, emitting a pleasant incense-like aroma when crushed. It is ideal for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or as an ornamental tree in large gardens and parks, providing an elegant and vertical structure.
Native range
Western North America, specifically in California and Oregon (United States), and Baja California (Mexico).
Care tips
It prefers full sun exposure and well-drained soils, tolerating a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay. Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant, though it benefits from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells. The ideal substrate is slightly acidic to neutral. A common mistake is planting it in poorly drained locations, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Incense cedar
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or browning needles falling excessively, dry or brittle branches, stunted growth.
- First aid
- Check watering, ensure good drainage. Protect from direct sun if young. Consider fungicide for spots or mold.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, leading to root rot. Also prolonged drought in young specimens.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if addressed promptly. It's resilient, but advanced root rot is hard to reverse. Assess root health.