Cypress trees are a gardener’s dream for two big reasons: they grow incredibly fast and they stay lush and green all year round. But to keep that vibrant look, these trees need the right fuel. How and when you feed them really depends on whether they’re growing out in your yard or in a patio pot.
Give your Cypress a head start
Right after planting, a cypress tree is ready to take off. To support that growth spurt, the roots need plenty of nutrients waiting for them in the soil. When you’re digging the hole, mix your soil with some well-aged compost, rotted manure, or a handful of horn shavings or specialized conifer fertilizer. If you prep the soil well at the start, you won’t need to worry about feeding it again for the rest of its first growing season.
Feeding garden-grown Cypress trees
Once your tree hits its second year, it’s time to refill the “pantry.” Organic options like compost, manure, and horn shavings are still the gold standard, but specialized conifer fertilizers work great too. The key is all in the timing and technique:
- Apply organic fertilizers in the spring.
- Spread the fertilizer around the base of the tree.
- Think wide! Cypress trees have shallow roots that spread out quite a bit, so cover a large radius.
- Use a rake to (gently!) work the fertilizer into the top layer of soil.
- If you prefer, a slow-release conifer fertilizer is a great “set it and forget it” option.
- Always follow the label for specific amounts and timing.
- A dose of potassium in early fall helps the tree toughen up for the winter chill.
Pro Tip:
Cypress trees absolutely love a thick layer of mulch. It keeps the soil from drying out and protects those shallow roots from frost. Plus, as the mulch breaks down, it slowly feeds the soil over time.
Caring for potted Cypress trees
A potted cypress is a bit more high-maintenance because it only has a limited amount of soil to pull from. You’ll want to fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks from spring through fall. A liquid fertilizer is your best bet here since the nutrients are available to the plant immediately. Just mix it into your watering can according to the package directions. When you water, aim for the root zone rather than right against the trunk.
If you’ve just repotted your tree into fresh, nutrient-rich potting soil (which you should do about every two years), you can take a break from fertilizing for about three months.
Brown needles? It might be a nutrient deficiency
If you notice brown tips on your cypress, don’t panic—it’s not always disease or pests. Sometimes, your tree is just hungry. A soil test is the only way to know for sure what’s missing, but if the culprit is a magnesium deficiency, a dose of Epsom salts (bitter salts) usually does the trick.
