Species Japanese larch
rough, gray-brown trunk with thin branches and feathery, green leaves

Japanese larch

Larix kaempferi

Japanese larch is an evergreen coniferous tree native to Japan, Korea, and eastern Siberia. Its bright green foliage turns a warm coppery-orange in autumn, and it grows in a pyramid shape when young, maturing even more gracefully over time. It offers a great display with attractive foliage, reddish-brown bark, and strong wood ideal for constructing beautiful furniture or posts. The Japanese larch is a hardwood and is tolerant of various soils, as well as wind and snow. Additionally, it's very cold-hardy and drought-resistant, making it perfect for any type of landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,orange

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Japanese larch should be watered once or twice a week depending on the season and soil quality. In the summertime, the soil should be kept moderately moist by providing enough water so that it feels evenly damp. During the winter months, however, watering should be reduced to no more than once a month. Furthermore, when the soil has dried out completely, it should be re-wetted slowly and evenly to ensure that the root system is not damaged. Generally, it is best to water these plants deeply and less often, allowing for the water to thoroughly soak the roots. When providing water, it should be done in the afternoon or early evening to give the plant enough time to dry before nightfall.

sunlight

Japanese larch prefers full sun, and grows best when it receives at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. If the sunlight is filtered or weaker than direct sunlight, the larch should receive more hours of exposure, as well as full sun during key times of the day, such as mid-morning and mid-afternoon. While it does require direct sunlight, it should not be exposed for more than 8 hours in a day.

pruning

Japanese larch should be pruned during the late summer or early fall for the best results. Pruning should remain light in the first 2 years of growth and should be delayed until after the tree has reached the intended height. After that, you can continue to prune to maintain the desired shape. Overall, when pruning Japanese larch, aim to remove no more than a third of the tree's crown in 1 season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Japanese larch typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map