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Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera', Thread Cypress
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Coniferous Trees

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera'

Thread Cypress

Cupressaceae
Species from mountain forests of Japan; 'Filifera' is a garden cultivar

Learn more

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitMounding
FoliageEvergreen
Height20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Width15-20 feet (4.5-6 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera' is thread cypress (thread-branch cypress), a broadly mounding to conical conifer growing 20-30 feet (6-9 m) tall and 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) wide. Mid to dark green scale-like foliage on long thread-like pendant branchlets 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) cascading downward in curtain-like layers. In Cupressaceae. Filifera = thread-bearing. The pendant thread-like branchlets create a weeping curtain texture. The large mature size (20-30 feet / 6-9 m) requires a large site — this is the primary spatial limitation. Often wider than tall when young. Not to be confused with the dwarf 'Filifera Nana' (3-4 feet / 0.9-1.2 m). Not drought-tolerant. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 4-8. Part sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Species native to mountain forests of Japan. 'Filifera' is a garden cultivar.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen conifer on large sites, spaced 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m). Thread-like pendant foliage. Large — not for small gardens (use 'Filifera Nana' instead). Non-toxic. Zones 4-8.

How to Identify

Identified by long thread-like pendant branchlets cascading downward in curtain-like layers on a broadly mounding to conical conifer. The thread-like pendant branchlets distinguish the Filifera group from the flat-spray Squarrosa and Plumosa groups. In Cupressaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread15' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Not applicable — conifer. Wind-pollinated. Tiny pea-sized globose cones approximately 0.25 inch (6 mm). March-April.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Mid to dark green, scale-like on long thread-like pendant (whip-like) branchlets 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) that cascade downward in curtain-like layers; evergreen year-round

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun (4-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. Not drought-tolerant. Large mature size (20-30 feet / 6-9 m) — site on large properties. Minimal pruning. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 4-8.

Pruning

Prune in late spring (May) if needed. The natural broadly mounding to conical form requires minimal shaping. Hand-prune — do not shear (shearing destroys the pendant thread texture).

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic