Tack some tiny holiday-theme ribbons or balls ‘Gold Crest’ lemon cypress gives you a contemporary holiday tree or just enjoy it as it is. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
I couldn’t remember what this houseplant was called so I described it as chartreuse, tree shaped and asked Google. It gave me lemon cypress and Norfolk Island pine because it has “a similar shape,” according to AI Overview. Norfolk Island pine doesn’t look anything like lemon cypress.
‘Gold Crest’ lemon cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, formerly Cupressus m.) is a chartreuse pyramid shaped tree. It may also be a ball or other topiary form.
About the only time I’d see this plant is this time of year. But this past summer, I saw a commercial container planting that included lemon cypress as the centerpiece. The pots looked great and the chartreuse really popped among the other plants. I look forward to using it in some pots next summer.
In southern landscapes, lemon cypress is an evergreen that will get 6 feet or more tall. It is hardy in USDA Zone 7 and warmer regions. It does not tolerate shade, so if grown indoors, it must be in a sunny window. Water when the soil surface feels dry. Don’t let it dry out
Indoors this time of year, you could put tiny ornmanents on ‘Gold Crest’ for the holidays or use it just as it is in a tablescape or sitting on the fireplace mantel. It makes a good holiday tree, especially if space is tight. I wrote about lemon cypress a few other plants a few years ago as possible natural holiday decorations when space or time is limited.
Indoors this time of year, you could put tiny ornmanents on ‘Gold Crest’ for the holidays or use it just as it is in a table scape or sitting on the fireplace mantel. It makes a good holiday tree, especially if space is tight. I wrote about lemon cypress a few other plants a few years ago as possible natural holiday decorations when space or time is limited.