What soil does Eastern red cedar grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Eastern red cedar hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Eastern red cedar be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Eastern red cedar need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana

Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a shrub. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €24.

Illustration of Eastern red cedar — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A very undemanding, tough evergreen: it takes drought, limy and poor soil, city air and hard frost, asking only for full sun and a spot free of standing water. The species itself becomes a tall tree, but nurseries mostly sell its cultivars and their sizes differ widely: there are low, wide-spreading shrubs with blue-grey foliage as well as narrow columns, so always check the final size of the cultivar you buy. The needle leaves on young shoots are prickly, female plants carry frosted blue berry-like cones, and the foliage can take on a brownish tint in winter.

Watch out for

Junipers are alternate hosts of Gymnosporangium rust fungi. In Europe the one that matters is pear rust (Gymnosporangium sabinae): eastern red cedar is recorded among its hosts, so do not plant it near pear trees, and cut out affected wood if you see orange, jelly-like growths on the branches in spring. The cedar-apple rust known from North America (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) is not present in Europe, where it is a quarantine organism. Twig blight, scale insects and spider mites can also occur. Male plants shed large amounts of allergenic pollen in early spring.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Evergreen

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	2 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	0.9–20 m × 1.5–7.5 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	no data
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	200 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €24

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €24

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant shrubs Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants for screening Evergreen plants Low-maintenance shrubs Plants for a Mediterranean garden

Compare with similar plants

Eastern red cedar vs Chinese juniper Eastern red cedar vs Common juniper

Looks good next to it

Pampas grass

Cortaderia selloana

Wild privet

Ligustrum vulgare

Carthusian pink

Dianthus carthusianorum