Sawara Falsecypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera

Cupressaceae · coniferous tree · introduced

Last updated March 8, 2026

Data Coverage 2 of 6 dimensions

Site Data

Threats

Cultivars

Phenology

GDD Thresholds

Puget Sound

Sawara falsecypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera, Cupressaceae) is a conifer from Japan, reaching up to 160 feet in native habitat but typically 20 to 30 feet in cultivation. Red-brown smooth bark exfoliates in thin strips. Horizontal spreading branches carry glossy green scale-like leaves with white markings below. Small globose cones are about 6 millimeters in diameter.

Sawara falsecypress grows in full sun to part shade (part shade preferred) on moist, fertile, well-drained soil, sheltered from strong winds, hardy in Zones 4a to 8b. Documented diseases include root rot, Seiridium canker, and Stigmina blight. The species offers extensive cultivar diversity across three foliage types: threadleaf forms ('Filifera,' 'Filifera Aurea,' 'Filifera Nana,' 'Golden Mop,' 'Lemon Thread,' 'Sungold'), plume-type ('Plumosa'), and moss-type ('Squarrosa'). Additional selections include 'Boulevard' (pyramidal, needled foliage), 'Blue Moon' (2 to 3 feet), and 'Curly Tops' (metallic blue, twisted branch tips).

Quick Facts

Height

160 ft

Hardiness

Zone Zones 4a–8b

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Origin

Japan

Diseases (3)

Symptom category — not a single disease Root Rot Seiridium cardinale Seiridium Canker Pseudocercospora thujina Stigmina Blight

Cultivars (13)

'Blue Moon'

Common name: Bloom Moon Sawara Falsecypress; Mature height: 2–3 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Boulevard'

Common name: Boulevard Falsecypress

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Compacta Variegata'

Common name: Compact Variegated Falsecypress Compact Variegated Sawara Cypress; Mature height: 3 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 3

'Curly Tops'

Common name: Curly Tops Falsecypress Curly Tops Sawara Cypress; Mature height: 2 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Filifera'

Common name: Threadleaf Falsecypress; Mature height: 6–8 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Filifera Aurea'

Common name: Golden Threadleaf Falsecypress; Mature height: 15–20 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Filifera Nana'

Common name: Dwarf Threadleaf Falsecypress

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Lemon Thread'

Common name: Lemon Thread Falsecypress Lemon Thread Sawara Cypress; Mature height: 12 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Plumosa'

Common name: Plumosa Falsecypress Plumosa Sawara Cypress; Mature height: 30–65 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Squarrosa'

Common name: Moss Falsecypress Moss Sawara Cypress; Mature height: 5 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Sungold'

Common name: Sungold Falsecypress Sungold Sawara Cypress; Mature height: 6 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Golden Mop'

'Mops'