WateringTimesWatering plan, $19
Cryptomeria japonica ssp. & cvs., WUCOLS IV

How often to water Japanese cryptomeria in California

In July in the Central Valley, established Japanese cryptomeria in loam needs a deep watering about every 8 days: about 55 gallons each time under a 10 foot canopy, about 47 gallons a week. Japanese cryptomeria, also called Japanese cedar, is an evergreen conifer with short, awl-shaped needles and fibrous red-brown bark. The species grows into a tall, conical tree, while many cultivars stay small or shrubby. It does best in soil that stays moist but drains well, and its roots are prone to rot in waterlogged ground.

ShrubTreeRated for 4 of 6 zones

How often to water Japanese cryptomeria, month by month

Your city
Canopy width
10 ft
Your soil

Type your city above and the days between waterings and the gallons appear here, worked out from your city's climate table. Or read the figures by climate zone further down.

Every month, on your water days. The personal plan prints this for Japanese cryptomeria and the rest of your yard, on the days your water supplier allows.Get the plan for $19

How this is worked out: established roots fill the top 1.5 feet of soil, and you water again when that soil has dried halfway. Loam soil holds about 1.5 inches of water per foot. Water the whole area under the branches, and skip a watering after a good soaking rain.

Which soil do you have?

Dig down a few inches, take a handful of moist soil and squeeze it.

  • Sandy: gritty, falls apart when you open your hand, will not form a ball.
  • Loam: forms a soft ball that crumbles when you poke it.
  • Clay: forms a firm, sticky ball and squeezes out into a ribbon between thumb and finger.

Still not sure? Pick loam. Most garden beds sit between sand and clay.

How to measure canopy width

A tree with its canopy width marked across the widest branches and the circle under it shaded blue

Measure across the branches, from the tips of the outer leaves on one side to the tips on the other. A tape works, or pace it out.

Water the whole circle under the branches, shown in blue. The gallons here cover that circle.

A wider canopy means more gallons each watering, not more waterings. While the tree is young, measure again each spring.

How to tell it needs water

  • Soil dry 4 inches down at the edge of a young cryptomeria root ball signals that it needs a soak
  • Needles dulling or browning at the tips in summer heat can accompany a dry root zone
  • Bronze tones on the needles in winter are normal seasonal color on many plants, not a sign of thirst
  • Yellowing foliage and thinning branches over soil that stays wet can indicate root rot
  • Spotted needles or blighted shoot tips point to leaf disease rather than a watering fault

How to water it

  • Water a young cryptomeria over its root ball and the soil just beyond, widening coverage as roots spread
  • Soak the soil 12 to 18 inches deep, then let the top few inches dry before the next watering
  • Use drip or a slow hose so water soaks in without pooling against the trunk
  • Spread organic mulch across the root area to keep the soil cool and evenly moist
  • Plant in deep, well-drained soil, avoiding low spots where winter water collects

Through the seasons

Give a newly planted cryptomeria steady moisture through its first two summers while roots spread into native soil. Established trees still want deep soakings through the dry season, since they prefer evenly moist ground. This conifer stays evergreen, and some forms take on bronze tones in cold weather. Winter rain often covers coastal and Central Valley trees, but check the soil in a dry winter. WUCOLS rates it moderate water on the north-central coast, in the Central Valley and in South Inland, and high water on the south coast. WUCOLS has not evaluated it for the high desert or the low desert.

In pots

Dwarf and compact cultivars of Japanese cryptomeria can live in a large container for years, while the species soon outgrows one. Use a pot with open drainage holes and a mix that holds moisture yet drains freely. Check the mix 2 inches down every few days in summer heat, and water when it feels dry there. Soak until excess drains, then empty the saucer. Give a potted plant afternoon shade and shelter from wind in hot inland gardens. In winter, check the mix during dry spells, since the evergreen needles keep drawing water.

1 Your climate zone six WUCOLS zones, each from its own reference city
2.67gal per sq ft in JulyModerate water use in the Central Valley zone
A year
17.11 gal per sq ft
Reference
Sacramento climate table
Counts
Plant need, before sprinkler losses
0.791.62.43.20.4JAN0.65FEB1.09MAR1.52APR2.08MAY2.48JUN2.67JUL2.39AUG1.8SEP1.18OCT0.56NOV0.34DEC0.791.62.43.20.4JFM1.52AMJ2.67JAS1.18OND
Gallons per square foot per month, Central Valley. Peak 2.67 in Jul, 17.11 a year.

Monthly water need by climate zone

Japanese Cryptomeria: gallons per square foot per month, by WUCOLS climate zone

MonthN. CoastC. ValleyS. CoastS. InlandHi DesertLo Desert
Jan0.370.41.240.78––
Feb0.530.651.290.87––
Mar0.871.091.841.3––
Apr1.181.522.231.61––
May1.462.082.581.95––
Jun1.612.482.782.29––
Jul1.612.673.172.51––
Aug1.492.392.982.33––
Sep1.241.82.381.86––
Oct0.871.181.841.33––
Nov0.470.561.340.9––
Dec0.310.341.040.68––
Year1217.1124.818.41––

How this is worked out: the WUCOLS water rating for each zone times that zone’s climate for the month. A dash means WUCOLS does not rate the plant there. The figures are what the plant uses, before sprinkler losses.

Plants with the same water needs 16

Rated moderate water in the Central Valley, like Japanese cryptomeria. Plants that drink alike can share one valve and one schedule.

RosesRosa hybrids..bushmoderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyCitrus TreesCitrus spp.moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyAzaleasRhododendron spp. (CA native and non-native spp.)moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyCamelliasCamellia japonica (SHADE IN DESERT)moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyGardeniasGardenia spp. & cvs.moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyJapanese MapleAcer palmatummoderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyAvocado TreesPersea americanamoderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyBird of ParadiseStrelitzia reginae (shade in desert)moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyHibiscusHibiscus rosa-sinensismoderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyMagnolia TreesMagnolia grandiflora ssp. & cvs.moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyPalm TreesSyagrus romanzoffiana (Arecastrum romanzoffianum)moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulySago PalmCycas revolutamoderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyStar JasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides and cvs.moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyApple TreesMalus spp. (edible) e.g, 'Anna' (low chill variety for low desert)moderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyPeach TreesPrunus spp. ediblemoderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in JulyPersimmon TreesDiospyros kakimoderate water, Central Valley2.67 gal/sq ft in July

Similar plants that need less water 16

Rated lower than Japanese cryptomeria in the Central Valley. Worth a look for a new bed or a lawn replacement.

LavenderLavandula spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyRosemaryRosmarinus officinalislow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyBougainvilleaBougainvillea & spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyOlive TreesOlea europaea ssp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyFig TreesFicus carica ssp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyCrape MyrtleLagerstroemia spp., hybrids & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyLantanaLantana camara ssp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulySalviaSalvia greggii ssp., cvs. & hybridslow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyAloeAloe spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulySucculentsEcheveria spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyPomegranate TreesPunica granatumlow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyEucalyptusEucalyptus polyanthemoslow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyPine TreesPinus canariensislow water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyJunipersJuniperus spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulyRussian SagePerovskia spp. & cvs.low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in JulySagebrushArtemisia spp. (shrubby)low water, Central Valley1.07 gal/sq ft in July
Minutes for your sprinklers

Turn this into minutes on your water days

Every city page has a calculator that takes Japanese cryptomeria, your sprinkler type and the month, and gives the minutes per water day for that supplier's schedule. Or put it in a zone of the personal watering plan and get all twelve months printed.

Questions people ask

How often should I water Japanese cryptomeria in summer?

In July, established Japanese cryptomeria in loam needs a deep watering about every 8 days in the Central Valley, about every 7 days on the south coast and about every 9 days in the South Inland zone. Sandy soil holds less water, so waterings come closer together. Clay stretches them. Check the soil before each watering and skip one after a soaking rain.

How much water does Japanese cryptomeria need per day?

In July in the Central Valley, established Japanese cryptomeria needs about 6.8 gallons a day under a 10 foot canopy and about 27 gallons a day under a 20 foot canopy. Give it in deep waterings spread days apart rather than a little every day, so the whole root zone gets wet.

Does watering for Japanese cryptomeria change across California?

Yes. WUCOLS rates Japanese cryptomeria separately for each of the six California climate zones: moderate water in the North-Central Coastal zone, moderate water in the Central Valley zone, high water in the South Coastal zone, moderate water in the South Inland zone, not evaluated in the High and Intermediate Desert zone, not evaluated in the Low Desert zone. The monthly table above shows how the same rating translates into different gallon amounts as reference evapotranspiration changes.

Why is my cryptomeria turning bronze in winter?

Many cryptomerias take on bronze tones in cold weather, and that color is normal. Check the soil only if browning shows up in summer or spreads through whole branches. Winter color alone does not mean the tree is dry.

Is Japanese cryptomeria a true cedar?

No. It is often called Japanese cedar, but it belongs to the cypress family rather than the true cedar genus. Its short, awl-shaped needles spiral around the stems.

How big does Japanese cryptomeria get?

The species can reach 50 to 70 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide with a conical shape. Dwarf and compact cultivars stay far smaller and suit borders or containers. Check the label before planting, since the watered area grows with the plant.

Can you overwater Japanese cryptomeria?

Yes. It likes moist soil, but its roots can suffer from Phytophthora root rot where water stands. Plant it in ground that drains, and let the surface dry slightly between soakings.

Can cryptomeria grow near the coast?

It is slightly salt tolerant, so it can handle some coastal exposure. A sheltered spot out of strong wind suits it best. Keep its roots evenly moist through dry summers there.

Does Japanese cryptomeria make a good screen?

Yes. Its dense, conical growth works as a tall screen where there is room for its full width. Water the whole root area of each tree, not just the trunk base, as the row matures.

More plant watering guides

Apple TreesPeach TreesPersimmon TreesGrapevinesArborvitaeBambooCalla LiliesCannas

Sources