How big does Arizona cypress grow?

About 3.5 m × 1 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 5–18 m × 2–6 m.

What soil does Arizona cypress grow in?

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

Is Arizona cypress hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Banská Bystrica Region, Prešov Region, Žilina Region) it may not survive winter without protection.

How far from the house should Arizona cypress be planted?

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

How far apart should Arizona cypress be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 2.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 1.5 plants per metre.

How much water does Arizona cypress need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Arizona cypress cost?

It sells for roughly €14 to €23 in local shops, depending on size.

Arizona cypress

Cupressus arizonica

Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) is a large tree that reaches 3.5 m × 1 m after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €14.

Illustration of Arizona cypress — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

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

A blue-grey, scale-leaved evergreen that is mostly sold in slim, columnar forms: a handsome specimen in a warm, sunny spot, a screen when planted in a row, and it takes clipping. It copes well with heat, drought and limy soil, but wants free-draining ground and full sun and dislikes waterlogging and heavy clay. It is less winter hardy than thujas and junipers, so give it a sheltered, south-facing position, and never cut back into bare old wood, which does not resprout.

Watch out for

Its winter hardiness is borderline in the continental winters of Central Europe: most reliable sources rate it safely hardy to about -18 °C, although some nurseries report it surviving much colder winters. Avoid frost pockets and open, windy sites and protect young plants in their first winters. Cypress canker (a fungal disease with branch dieback and resin bleeding) occurs and mainly attacks trees weakened by drought. Bark beetles can also colonise it in prolonged drought. The pollen is strongly allergenic and is shed as early as late winter.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 3.5 m × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	3.5 m × 1 m
Ultimate size	5–18 m × 2–6 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
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 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	250 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €14

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. €14 – €23

Frequently asked questions

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

Appears in these lists

Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Hedge plants Evergreen hedge plants Plants for screening Evergreen plants Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

Arizona cypress vs Italian cypress

Looks good next to it

Blue fescue

Festuca glauca

Common juniper

Juniperus communis

Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii