Garden Care Guide

Leyland Cypress Care

xCuprocyparis leylandii

A hybrid cypress known for its very fast growth, often used for screening and hedges. It likes full sun and well-drained soil. Because it grows fast, it needs regular pruning and summer watering to keep its shape and stay healthy.

Hardy · -15 °C / 5 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required; the plant is dormant and winter rains are sufficient.
  • Pruning: Not done. Winter pruning can make the plant more susceptible to frost damage.
  • Pests & diseases: This is a good time to check the trunk and branches for signs of canker (sunken, resinous areas).
February
  • Fertilizing: At the end of the month, before new growth starts, a slow-release, balanced fertilizer (e.g. NPK 10-10-10) can be applied. Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Remove branches damaged in winter. Wait for new shoots to emerge before the main pruning.
  • General care: The plant is preparing to wake up.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure drainage is good against root rot.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: New shoots begin to become distinct; wait until the end of the month or May for pruning.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: During humid and cool periods, monitor the leaves and trunk for signs of mold, spots and rot.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: After the new shoots have lengthened, the first shaping or hedge pruning can be done. Avoid pruning into old, leafless wood.
  • Plant protection: Watch out for bagworms (small bags on the tree) and scale insects.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Suddenly wilting branches may be a sign of canker disease. Cut the diseased branch back to healthy tissue and disinfect your pruning tools.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: This is one of the best times for main pruning. A second pruning can be done at the end of summer.
  • Plant protection: Hot and dry weather is ideal for spider mites. Fight them by wetting the leaves and, if necessary, using a miticide.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Spider mites and cypress canker are the biggest threats. Water stress triggers these problems.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Pruning: Do shaping and hedge pruning. Prune only from the green zone. It does not produce new shoots from the inner brown, leafless wood; an area cut back that far becomes a permanent gap.
  • Plant protection: Continue watching for signs of spider mites and canker.
  • General care: Take care that the plant does not become stressed in extreme temperatures.
  • Pests & diseases: Sudden, widespread yellowing is a sign of water stress or a root problem.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Pruning: This is the last chance for pruning. Pruning after the end of the month may cause the plant to enter winter weakened.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Make sure the plant's interior receives enough air.
  • Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, look on the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing and speckled yellowing (spider mites). Washing the leaves during the cool hours reduces their numbers.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: The plant gradually prepares for winter.
  • Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, look on the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing and speckled yellowing (spider mites). Washing the leaves during the cool hours reduces their numbers.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Do the last formative pruning of the season; do not let it put out new shoots before frost.
  • Plant protection: The spider mite population may still be active; do one last check.
  • General care: One of the best months for planting new seedlings. It allows the roots to settle in before the winter rains.
  • Pests & diseases: Immediately cut off and destroy branches showing signs of canker (sudden dieback). Disinfect your pruning tools with bleach.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Do not prune except in emergencies.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: During humid and cool periods, monitor the leaves and trunk for signs of mold, spots and rot.
November
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: During humid and cool periods, monitor the leaves and trunk for signs of mold, spots and rot.
December
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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