Bastard Cedar
About Bastard Cedar
This conifer sports interesting exfoliating gray-brown bark and showy male and female cones. Its form is broadly conical with spreading branches. The male cones are yellow, the female cones are cylindrical and they ripen in late summer at lower elevations and a month later at higher elevations. It prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil.
Taxonomy
Calocedrus decurrens
Calocedrus
Cupressaceae
Pinales
Also known as
California incense-cedar and Incense cedar
How to care for Bastard Cedar
Water
How often to water your Bastard Cedar
every 9
Bastard Cedar needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesnāt get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for Bastard Cedar in your home
a window
Bastard Cedar love being close to bright, sunny windows š.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Bastard Cedar does not tolerate low-light š«.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Bastard Cedar in your home š”.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Bastard Cedar
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil itās likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Bastard Cedar after it doubles in size or once a yearāwhichever comes first.
FAQs
Bastard Cedar is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
Bastard Cedar prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Bastard Cedar requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive šŖ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plantās toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, itās always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control atĀ US (800) 222-1222.Ā If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA atĀ US (888) 426-4435.
Soil
Bastard Cedar does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Bastard Cedar grows very slowly and doesnāt require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantās potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Growth Pattern
Bastard Cedar grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Bastard Cedar can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Care Summary for Bastard Cedar
Bastard Cedar
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 9 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.
