Gold Thread Cypress

Light Needs

Part Sun to Full Sun

(5+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

3-7 Feet

Mature Spread

3-7 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea', commonly known as gold thread cypress, is a striking semi-dwarf evergreen conifer. New growth emerges as golden yellow and fades to medium green in the fall. The thread-like weeping foliage provides an interesting texture and graceful shape in the landscape. It has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, a Cary Award for an outstanding plant to grow in New England, and a Great Plant Picks for the Pacific Northwest. 

This is a semi-dwarf conifer that grows about 6-8 inches per year, reaching 3 - 7 feet in height and as wide after 10 years. Its rounded mounding form will eventually develop a broad conical shape after many years. The gold thread cypress will put on its best color in full sun, but it tolerates light shade. It is not picky about soil and can grow in sandy or clay sites. You can grow it as an accent shrub to contrast a purple-hued plant, or group them together to make a dramatic hedge. 

Gold Thread Cypress Care

Gold thread cypress prefers loamy, acidic (pH 6 - 7) soil, but tolerates average soil as long as drainage is adequate. Grow this shrub in full to part sun and water regularly and deeply during the first growing season. Once established, this shrub will become drought tolerant, requiring little supplemental summer water. No fertilizer is needed, although a topdressing of high quality compost will help conserve moisture and feed the soil. 

This shrub requires no pruning besides removal of dead or broken branches. If growing as a hedge, it can be shaped twice a year with pruning shears. 

Gold Thread Cypress Spacing

Space gold thread cypress shrubs 7 feet apart, to allow them to reach their mature size. This slow-growing shrub can be used in containers to best display the spectacular foliage; however, the roots will eventually outgrow most pots and should be transplanted to the ground after a few years.

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