PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; full sun promotes dense, vibrant foliage and reduces fungal disease risk
Watering
Water deeply but infrequently; allow the top 10–15 cm of soil to dry completely between waterings to avoid root rot
Temperature
Extremely cold-hardy to -20°C; tolerates hot, dry summers with adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging
Characteristics
- Leaf: Scale-like, overlapping, blue-green to dark green foliage; aromatic when crushed
- Cones: Female cones are small, berry-like, dark blue when mature; male cones are tiny, yellow-brown
- Stem: Woody, trailing stems root at nodes to form dense, spreading mats
Care Guide
Watering
Water every 7–10 days during prolonged dry spells; avoid wetting foliage
Fertilization
Apply slow-release, low-nitrogen granular fertilizer once. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can cause leggy, sparse growth
Eggshell powder topdressing：Crush dried eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle lightly on the soil surface to boost calcium levels and improve soil aerationPruning
- Trim overgrown stems in early spring to maintain a compact, uniform groundcover form
- Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to improve airflow and reduce fungal disease risk
- Thin dense mats occasionally to allow light penetration to inner foliage
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Toxic; contains thujone, which may cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures in severe cases
Humans: Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dizziness; thujone is the primary toxic principle
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Groundcover for erosion control on slopes; ornamental rock garden plant; historically used in herbal remedies (note: toxic if ingested)
