Plant guide

Eastern red cedar.

Juniperus virginiana

Pronounced joo-NIP-er-us vir-jin-ee-AY-na

Also known as Eastern Red-cedar, Eastern Redcedar, Pencil Cedar, Red Cedar, Red Cedar Juniper, Red Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar, Virginian Juniper, Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper, Red Juniper, Red-cedar

This hardy evergreen is a native North American conifer that thrives in a wide range of conditions. It features dense, aromatic foliage and provides excellent shelter for local birds. You will love how it brings a classic, rustic feel to your landscape.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen conifer
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15 to 45 feet
Growth rate: Medium

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of airflow to keep it healthy. Watch for browning needles, which can indicate cedar apple rust or poor drainage. It is quite drought tolerant once established in the ground.

Watering: Water deeply during the first year to help the roots establish.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if the soil is poor.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to shape the tree or remove dead branches.
Repotting: Only repot if you are keeping it as a container specimen.
Soil: Well draining, rocky, or clay soils
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0

Safety

Pets: The foliage and berries can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.

How to identify it

Scale like dark green leaves
Small blue berry like cones
Fibrous reddish brown bark
Pyramidal growth habit when young

Science

Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Juniperus
Order: Pinales
Class: Pinopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Is your eastern red cedar looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.