Tree
Lemon Cypress
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa
Traits
Varieties We Carry
GoldcrestHesperocyparis macrocarpa
Sizes & Pricing
4 inFrom$12.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun
WaterModerate
Mature size40-70 feet × 30-40 feet
About Lemon Cypress
Lemon Cypress ('Goldcrest') is a columnar, golden-foliaged conifer with a pleasant lemon scent, popular as a container accent or holiday décor plant. As a large Monterey Cypress cultivar it can reach 40–70 ft in ideal conditions, but in NE Florida's heat and humidity it is best treated as a temporary ornamental due to susceptibility to coryneum canker fungus and poor long-term adaptability outside its native California coast. Starting at $12.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter. Can be planted in mild winter periods.
Care essentials
Light
Plant Lemon Cypress in full sun; it requires at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. In NE Florida, the intense summer heat combined with high humidity stresses this California coastal native, making it short-lived and prone to coryneum canker fungus — consider it a container accent or seasonal plant rather than a permanent landscape specimen.
Water
Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; good drainage is essential. Established plants tolerate brief dry spells, but NE Florida's summer humidity and periodic drought-then-rain cycles promote fungal canker, so avoid overhead irrigation and ensure excellent air circulation.
Soil & Fertilizer
Use well-drained sandy or loamy soil amended with organic matter; this tree does not tolerate heavy clay or standing water. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring. Note: in NE Florida this species is poorly adapted and is best enjoyed as a short-term container accent, since its California coastal origins make it ill-suited to Florida heat, humidity, and canker pressure.
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Common questions
Is Lemon Cypress a good plant for St. Augustine?
Lemon Cypress is a tree for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 40-70 feet × 30-40 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.