Lemon cypress’s fresh color reminds me of spring, the season of renewal. I keep them indoors during the lifeless winter. But winterizing them is not easy. After three years of trial and error, I’ve come to understand them better.
Warm, dry air
My first attempt at winterizing lemon cypress failed years ago. Indoors, they couldn’t tolerate the warm, dry air. Regular misting, even putting a humidifier nearby, didn’t help. Their vibrant foliage turned brown and crisp, and the plants didn’t survive to spring.
Cool moisture
My second attempt, in winter 2024, was different. I kept them on an enclosed porch where temperatures stayed just above freezing for most of the winter, bringing them indoors only when it dipped below zero. Surprisingly, they stayed green even with limited light, and I barely watered them.
Bottom watering
This winter, I’m continuing the experiment. I keep the plants indoors most of the time to give them more sunlight. To avoid overwatering from the top, which I’ve always found hard to judge, I bottom-water daily using a saucer that limits the amount of water available.
To my surprise, the plants drink it all within two to three hours. They’re thirsty! After two months of this quiet “water buffet,” the foliage remains soft and green, and the plants are still growing, slowly but steadily. It’s still too early to celebrate. I’ll trust this method only when they make it safely back outdoors in spring.
Growing notes
Also known as lemon cedar, lemon cypress is native to California and loved for its bright golden-green foliage and woody citrus scent when brushed.
Why the plants stayed healthy on the enclosed porch
The conditions mimic what they seem to prefer: cool air, higher humidity, low but steady moisture
Cooler temperatures reduce water loss from leaves and soil
Lemon cypress tolerates just-above-freezing temperatures better than I expected
Why bottom watering works (and misting didn’t)
Bottom watering offers steady, controlled moisture directly to the roots
Plants take in water almost entirely through their roots, not their leaves
Leaves mostly manage transpiration and photosynthesis, not drinking
Do roots store water?
Unlike succulents, lemon cypress has thin, fibrous roots meant to absorb water, not store it
It prefers soil that stays consistently moist, never soaked
