Caring for Lemon Cypress
The lemon cypress plant is a hardy plant that is relatively easy to care for. It is common to plant lemon cypress plants in a row to create a privacy screen. The plant needs to be planted in well drained soil. Therefore, it is a good idea to use a soil that has a mixture of sand involved to insure proper drainage. The lemon cypress thrives on sunlight and should be planted in direct or partial sun. The main enemy of this tree is wind, so avoid planting in a area of high winds that can tear off tree branches and destroy the plant.
You need to water the plant regularly to keep the soil always moist but never soggy. Thus, in hot dry climates, the young lemon cypress plants must be watered every day. Older plants will not require daily watering as long as the soil remains moist. Use an all-purpose fertilizer once a year and never apply it in the fall. This will encourage growth after the normal growth season and take the plant's energy away from strengthening its root system over the winter. Lemon cypress plants do not require pruning, so you should only prune to help the plant maintain its proper shape. Limit pruning only to new growth and cut from the top of the plant.
If you plant indoors, use well-drained soil that contains peat to retain moisture and to prevent compaction. Add sand to insure proper drainage. Place the container in a sunny location. These plants thrive in sunlight, but avoid direct sunlight to prevent excessive drying. Use all-purpose fertilizer twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Be careful not to over fertilize, though, as these plants can be severely damaged that way. Prune the plant only to maintain the desired shape. No matter where you place your lemon cypress plants, they will give you many years of quality performance with just a little bit of care.
