Cupressaceae
Needle juniper (Juniperus rigida)
Juniperus rigida
A full-sun plant for well-drained soil that copes with lean, dry, rocky ground. Once established it tolerates drought, heat and hard frost (USDA zones 5 to 8, about -28 °C). It grows slowly and needs little pruning. It is strictly an outdoor plant. As bonsai it needs careful watering, a coarse mix and pruning that never removes every growing tip. The needles are prickly: wear gloves.
Every 7 days
Direct sun
-28° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Needle juniper?
Needle juniper (Juniperus rigida) is a medium-care plant from the Cupressaceae family. Juniperus rigida is an evergreen conifer in the cypress family (Cupressaceae), native to Japan, Korea, northern China and the Russian Far East, where it grows on dry slopes, limestone rocks and sandy coasts up to 2,200 m. It forms a large shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall with drooping branchlets...
Needle juniper grows up to 10.0m, spread of 600cm, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many popular species, Needle juniper is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Needle juniper?
TLDR: Needle juniper needs Direct sun, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between -28-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Needle juniper?
In the garden, water weekly through the first year, then only in long dry spells. In pots or as bonsai, water thoroughly when the top of the mix dries and let it drain. Overwatering and soggy soil rot the roots.
How Much Light Does Needle juniper Need?
Full sun, at least 6 hours a day; it tolerates light shade. In shade it becomes sparse and sheds inner needles.
What Is the Best Soil for Needle juniper?
Well-drained sandy, gravelly or chalky soil; poor, dry ground is fine. Avoid heavy soil that stays wet. In containers use a coarse mix (grit, pumice or akadama and a little soil).
What Pot Should You Use for Needle juniper?
Plant straight into the ground in the garden. For bonsai, a shallow ceramic pot with good drainage holes and a coarse mix.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
What Is Needle juniper and Where Does It Come From?
Juniperus rigida is an evergreen conifer in the cypress family (Cupressaceae), native to Japan, Korea, northern China and the Russian Far East, where it grows on dry slopes, limestone rocks and sandy coasts up to 2,200 m. It forms a large shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall with drooping branchlets and red-brown bark that peels in strips. The leaves are stiff, very sharp needles 1-2 cm long in whorls of three, bright green with a narrow white band on top, turning bronze in winter. Plants are male or female; females bear small fleshy, berry-like cones that take two years to ripen from green to blue-black. It is a favourite of Japanese-style gardens, both in its weeping form 'Pendula' and as bonsai.
How to Propagate Needle juniper?
Semi-ripe cuttings
The only way to keep the traits of forms such as 'Pendula'.
- 1 In late summer or autumn, take 10-15 cm tips with a heel of older wood
- 2 Strip the needles from the base
- 3 Dip in rooting hormone
- 4 Insert in moist sandy mix, cover, and keep in a bright, cool place
Materials needed:
Seed
Only female plants set seed, and a male plant must be nearby.
- 1 Collect ripe blue-black cones
- 2 Remove the pulp and wash the seeds
- 3 Sow in a pot left outdoors over winter
- 4 Be patient: germination can take more than a year
Materials needed:
How Big Does Needle juniper Grow?
TLDR: Needle juniper can reach up to 10.0m tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
10.0m
Spread
6.0m
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Needle juniper?
TLDR: Needle juniper is susceptible to 7 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Phomopsis Tip Blight
A disease caused by the Phomopsis fungus that kills young shoots and causes brown spots on leaves. It thrives in humid conditions and spreads through water splashes.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Canker
Canker is a disease caused by various fungi and bacteria that create necrotic, sunken areas on bark of branches, stems, and trunks. Pathogens enter through wounds and natural openings, especially when plants are stressed. Canker can gradually weaken or kill branches by disrupting water and nutrient flow.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Fun Facts
The needles are so sharp that its Japanese name, nezumi-sashi, roughly means "mouse-stabber"
Its berry-like cones take two years to ripen
It is one of the most prized juniper species for bonsai in Japan
Frequently asked questions
Can needle juniper grow indoors?
How cold hardy is it?
How do I prune a Juniperus rigida bonsai?
What pests and diseases affect it?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Fieldcap | Medium | Low light | 2d | ⚠️ |
| Azalea | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ⚠️ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Bougainvillea | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | ⚠️ |
Choose & Compare
Sources & References
- Gymnosperm Database — Juniperus rigida (needle juniper, nezu)
- Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Finder — Juniperus rigida (needle juniper)
- Woodlanders — Juniperus rigida 'Pendula' (weeping temple juniper)
- Bonsai Empire — Needle juniper (Juniperus rigida) bonsai care
- Bonsai Plaza — Juniperus rigida
- World Plants — Juniperus rigida (pests and diseases)
