Bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) are stunning deciduous conifers that can thrive when grown in containers. With their graceful, feathery foliage and attractive reddish-brown bark, bald cypress trees make a unique addition to any outdoor space.
When properly cared for, bald cypress trees can live for hundreds of years. By growing them in containers, you can enjoy their beauty even if you have limited garden space.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about successfully growing bald cypress trees in containers, including:
Benefits of Container-Grown Bald Cypress Trees
There are many good reasons to grow bald cypress trees in containers
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Adaptability – Bald cypress trees are highly adaptable and can thrive in containers This allows you to move them to the ideal spot in your outdoor space
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Space-Saving – Container growing is perfect if you have a small garden or balcony but want to enjoy the beauty of these majestic trees.
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Versatility – You can easily move the containers around to change up your landscape design
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Unique Texture – The lacy foliage and interesting bark provide great visual interest and texture.
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Focal Point – Bald cypress trees in containers can serve as beautiful focal points in garden beds or on patios.
Choosing the Right Container
Picking the right container is key to successfully growing bald cypress trees:
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Select a container at least 24 inches wide to provide enough room for root development.
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Make sure the container has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Plastic, ceramic, wood or metal containers will all work well.
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Match the container style to your landscape design for a cohesive look.
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Use containers with wheels or casters if you plan to move the trees frequently.
The Best Soil Mix for Containerized Bald Cypress Trees
Bald cypress trees thrive in moist, acidic, and nutrient-rich soil. The ideal potting mix for containers is:
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Potting soil provides structure and drainage.
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Peat moss helps retain moisture and nutrients.
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Perlite improves aeration and drainage.
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Pine bark adds organic matter.
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pH between 5.5-6.5 maintains the acidity bald cypress trees prefer.
How to Plant Bald Cypress Trees in Containers
Follow these steps for easy planting:
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Fill the container partially with moist potting mix.
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Carefully remove the tree from its nursery pot and loosen the roots.
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Place the root ball in the container. Ensure the top is level with the soil surface.
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Fill around the root ball with more potting mix, pressing down firmly.
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Water thoroughly until drainage flows from the bottom.
Caring for Your Containerized Bald Cypress Tree
With proper care, your bald cypress tree will thrive in a container:
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Situate the container in an area receiving at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
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Water whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Bald cypress trees are moisture-loving.
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Fertilize monthly during spring through fall with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
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Prune back excessive growth and any dead branches to maintain size and shape.
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Protect from freezing winter temperatures by moving containers indoors or wrapping them.
Troubleshooting Common Bald Cypress Tree Problems
Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
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Yellowing leaves – Usually indicates overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
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Drooping branches – Can be caused by underwatering. Check soil moisture and water if needed.
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Few leaves – May be due to insufficient sunlight. Move container to a sunnier location.
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White crusty deposits on leaves or soil – Sign of salty buildup from tap water. Use distilled or rainwater.
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Bald patches on branches – Could be cytospora canker fungus. Prune infected areas and treat with fungicide.
Getting the Most out of Container-Grown Bald Cypress Trees
Follow these tips to maximize the unique beauty of your containerized bald cypress trees:
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Show off the interesting peeling bark by situating containers near seating areas.
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Plant in matching containers for a cohesive look.
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Let trees go dormant in winter by reducing watering for seasonal interest.
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Add companion plants like azaleas, ferns or hostas around the containers.
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Accent with decorative rocks or mulch to highlight the base of the trunks.
With the right care, bald cypress trees make a stunning addition to any container garden or small outdoor space. Their airy, feathery foliage provides wonderful texture and visual interest. If given the proper soil, sunlight and watering conditions, bald cypress trees can thrive for years in containers.
Lessons learned: Bald cypress is a tree to know
Don’t you wish you knew then what you know now? Speaking from experience, when I first began studying plants, people would ask me lots of gardening or landscaping questions. Did I as a first-year student know the answer? No. Did I pretend to? Yes. It must be human nature as a young adult.
As a fresh-faced SIUC horticulture student, I was asked at a Christmas party by a family friend if I could pick out some plants for screening between two homes. I said yes, thinking surely, they wouldn’t call me up in the spring. They did. Have you ever worked on a project where everything went wrong? This was one, except one thing went right. And that was planting a bald cypress (Taxodium distichum).
As I fumbled around at the garden center trying to select plants that might work, I came upon a tree that I had heard about in a botany lecture. A needled conifer that wasn’t an evergreen, it was deciduous. I was struck by the fine textured, soft foliage. Even as a young sapling the woven stringy bark was an admirable feature. We needed something to anchor the end of this landscape screening bed near a pond. The label noted its tolerance to wet conditions. With more confidence than the other plants, I placed the bald cypress on the cart and headed to the site.
I didn’t know how to plant a tree. The ground was like rock and I had a tiny garden shovel that bent with every pull of soil. Lifting the rootball out of the pot I squeezed it into the tiny planting hole. Shaving off roots to make it fit. We put grass right up to the base of the trunk and walked away. Most trees would have died. This one did not.
It has been almost twenty years since I installed that landscape screen. Rest assured the other plants are long dead. However, the bald cypress struggled to establish at first, but now is a beautiful specimen of a tree.
At the base of the trunk, it developed the characteristic buttress as it widens dramatically at the soil line. The canopy has grown tall holding to a pyramidal shape as it lazily casts its lower branches to touch the water’s surface. As the tree matures (over hundreds of years) it will lose its pyramidal shape and the canopy will widen and flatten near the top.
Bald Cypress Tree | #3 Air Pruned Container Liner Pot
FAQ
Can you grow Bald Cypress in a container?
Can cypress trees stay in pots?
How do you take care of a small potted cypress tree?
Can you plant a Bald Cypress in water?
Can cypress trees grow in containers?
Cypress, a conifer, is easy to grow in containers. In fact, those cute little Christmas trees that you can pick up at the supermarket during the holidays are sometimes small cypress trees. While cypress trees can grow quite large when planted in the ground, planting cypress in a pot will limit its growth.
Can bald cypress trees be propagated?
Bald cypress trees are majestic, deciduous conifers that are native to the southeastern United States. Known for their striking appearance and adaptability to wet environments, these trees make a beautiful addition to any landscape. If you’re looking to propagate bald cypress trees, there are several methods you can use to ensure success.
Does bald cypress need standing water?
True, bald cypress is naturally found growing directly in or next to water — which is why it’s sometimes called swamp cypress — but that doesn’t mean that it needs standing water to grow. In fact, bald cypress will grow in most landscape conditions and makes a spectacular addition to parks, street plantings, and even home gardens.
How do you care for a bald cypress tree?
It’s not difficult to provide your tree the best bald cypress care if you select an excellent planting location, starting with a spot in full sun. When you are planting a bald cypress tree, ensure that the soil has good drainage but also retains some moisture. Ideally, the soil should be acidic, moist and sandy. Irrigate regularly.