Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it adapts very well to containers and is often used for topiary.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade quite well.

Plant guide

Yew pine.

Podocarpus macrophyllus

Pronounced po-do-KAR-pus mak-ro-FIL-lus

Also known as Buddhist Pine, Japanese yew, Yew plum pine, Buddhist pine, big-leaf podocarp, yew plum pine, yew

kusamaki — Photo by Alex Abair (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The yew pine is a handsome evergreen conifer that works beautifully as a hedge or a specimen plant. It is quite adaptable and handles pruning well, which makes it a favorite for topiary. You will love how its dark, needle like foliage adds a touch of elegance to any space.

Another photo of Yew pine — Photo by Kevin Faccenda (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen conifer
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 10 to 40 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water or not enough light. It is a tough plant that thrives with regular misting and good air circulation.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back new growth in spring to maintain your desired shape.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once the roots begin to circle the container.
Soil: Well draining sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -7 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long lived perennial, often lasting for decades.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant, especially the seeds, are considered toxic if ingested.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children because the seeds are toxic and the foliage can be irritating.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger allergic reactions in some people during the spring.
Edibility: The fleshy part of the fruit is edible but the seeds are toxic and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Dark green needle like leaves
Spirally arranged foliage on stems
Conical growth habit when young
Small fleshy berry like cones

Height: 3 to 12m
Spread: 1.5 to 4.5m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, green, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: purple, red, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Scale insects · Small sap sucking insects that appear as bumps on the stems and leaves.
Root rot · Fungal infection caused by consistently waterlogged soil.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder regions, move containers to a sheltered area or unheated garage. Ensure the soil does not dry out completely during winter months.
In containers: It is excellent for containers and should be planted in a pot at least 40 cm wide to allow for root growth.

Semi-hardwood cuttings

Take 10 cm cuttings in late summer.
Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a well draining potting mix and keep humid until rooted.

Pair this with acid loving shrubs to keep the soil chemistry consistent across the bed.

Grows well with

Azalea · They share similar acidic soil requirements and thrive in partial shade.
Gardenia · Both plants enjoy consistent moisture and provide a nice textural contrast.

Similar species

Yew · It shares a similar evergreen habit and is also used for hedging.

Science

Family: Podocarpaceae
Genus: Podocarpus
Order: Pinales
Class: Pinopsida
Native range: Southern Japan and China
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, but wild populations are sometimes over-harvested for the nursery trade.

It grows as an understory tree in temperate forests where it relies on birds to disperse its seeds.

Value to wildlife: provides cover for birds, birds eat the fleshy fruit
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: hedging, topiary, container plant, privacy screen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?: Yes, it adapts very well to containers and is often used for topiary.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade quite well.

Where the name comes from

The name Podocarpus comes from the Greek words for foot and fruit, referring to the fleshy stalk beneath the seed. The species name macrophyllus means large leaf.

Good to know

It is a conifer that looks more like a broadleaf plant.
It is highly prized for bonsai cultivation.
The wood is rot resistant and used for high quality furniture in Japan.
It can tolerate salt spray, making it great for coastal gardens.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on October 31, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.