‘Nana Gracilis’ Hinoki cypress is a dwarf, compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. The parent plant is native to Japan. The genus name comes from the Greek words chamai , which means dwarf, and kyparissos , which means cypress tree. Grow this plant in average, moist, well-drained soils and protect it from harsh winds. It does best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. In 10 years it will only reach 3 to 4 feet tall but will eventually mature to 6 feet or more with a 2 to 4 foot spread. Young shrubs have a rounded form that becomes more conical with age. It provides winter interest with its graceful, dark-green needles. Use this shrub in small spaces, Asian or rock gardens, containers, or as a specimen. It can also be used in bonsai. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to juniper blight, root rot, and insect pests such as bagworms. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Chamaecyparis obtusa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheChamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball'Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Nana'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Conical; Dense; Multi-stemmed; Rounded
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; White
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf value
Fragrant; Long-lasting; Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Shell-like sprays of dark green scale-like needles. Silver markings on the undersides.
Flower detail
No true flowers - the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
Fruit detail
No true fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown with male being orange brown.