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Lawson's cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Last reviewed: November 2026

Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is a perennial tree native to CA, OR. It blooms in February, March, and April. The flowers draw wind-pollinated.

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Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)
Photo: (c) Daniel Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

720"–1800" H × 180"–300" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

wind-pollinated

Before you buy

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Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Lawson's cypress.

A large, pyramidal conifer with soft, flattened sprays of scale-like evergreen foliage and small round cones. It grows in a graceful, drooping form that has made it a popular ornamental tree.

Growing Lawson's cypress

Grow Lawson's cypress in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 720 to 1800 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide.

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Wildlife value

Dense evergreen cover provides year-round nesting and roosting habitat for birds, and small mammals eat the seed cones.

Common questions

How much sun does Lawson's cypress need?
Lawson's cypress grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Lawson's cypress bloom?
Lawson's cypress blooms in February, March, and April.
Where is Lawson's cypress native?
Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Lawson's cypress attract?
Lawson's cypress draws wind-pollinated.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Lawson's cypress? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.