What soil does Japanese white pine grow in?

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

Is Japanese white pine hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Japanese white pine be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

How much water does Japanese white pine need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Japanese white pine cost?

It sells for roughly €36 to €490 in local shops, depending on size.

Japanese white pine

Pinus parviflora

Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) is a small tree. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €36.

Illustration of Japanese white pine — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

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

A slow, picturesque five-needle pine: short, twisted needles striped blue-white sit in tufts at the branch ends, and the small cones stay on the tree for years. Gardens almost always get grafted cultivars, and their sizes differ a lot: 'Negishi' and 'Tempelhof' stay an irregular small tree or large shrub of a few metres even after decades, 'Glauca' eventually reaches 3 to 5 metres, 'Bergman' and 'Schoon's Bonsai' remain knee-high dwarfs, while the plain species becomes a large flat-topped tree in old age. Plant it in full sun and free-draining soil; it suits Japanese-style gardens, gravel beds and large containers, and it is one of the favourite pines for bonsai.

Watch out for

It will not stand waterlogged or heavy, airless soil and soon fails there from root suffocation, so on heavy ground drainage has to be provided. It prefers cooler summers: in the hot, dry summers of Central Europe newly planted and container grown plants need watering, or the shoot tips die back. Like other five-needle pines it can be attacked by white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), whose alternate hosts are currants and gooseberries. It resents transplanting, and branches can be damaged in windy sites. Sizes differ greatly between cultivars, so always check the ultimate size of the cultivar you are buying.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen

Group	Small tree
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 1 m
Ultimate size	1.5–15 m × 1.5–15 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	no data
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	300 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €36

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. €36 – €490

Frequently asked questions

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

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Evergreen plants Small ornamental trees Small trees for beside paths and paving Plants for containers

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