Gardening Plants & Flowers Trees

How to Grow and Care for Japanese Umbrella Pine

Japanese umbrella pine tree in cone shape against blue sky

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Japanese umbrella pine is a very slow-growing and typically smaller tree with whorls of long, lustrous needles that take on the form of little parasols in how they are bunched. Japanese umbrella pine is also not a true pine tree, regardless of its common name, though it is a needled evergreen tree with a pyramidal shape. The tree grows best in high humidity, cool, breezy temperatures, it requires full sun, and prefers acidic soil. Read on for our care guide.

Common Name Japanese umbrella pine, parasol fir, parasol pine, umbrella pine
Botanical Name Sciadopitys verticillata
Family Sciadopityaceae
Plant Type Evergreen conifer tree
Mature Size 25-40 ft. tall, 15-20 ft. spread
Sun Exposure Full
Soil Type Rich, moist, well-drained
Soil pH Slightly acidic
Hardiness Zones 5-8 (USDA)
Native Areas Japan

Japanese Umbrella Pine Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a Japanese umbrella pine tree:

  • Plant in full sun (with afternoon shade in scorching sun).
  • Make sure the soil is acidic.
  • Fertilize in the spring.
  • Protect the tree from cold winter winds and ice.
Japanese umbrella pine needles on branch in sunlight closeup

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Japanese umbrella pine tree with thick, glossy needles and pinecones in sunlight

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Japanese umbrella pine tree branch with pine cone and thick needles closeup

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Japanese umbrella pine tree pruned in a cone shape on outside corner of house

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

Light

This tree will thrive in full sun. However, in very hot climates, some afternoon sun may be welcomed.

Soil

A loamy soil enriched with humus is ideal for this tree. Keep the soil on the slightly acidic side.

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist but well-drained by watering it once a week in the spring and summer. Once established, average watering is required. However, the tree is not drought-tolerant and should be watered regularly during very dry conditions.

Temperature and Humidity

In its native area, the Japanese umbrella pine grows in forests with high rainfall and high humidity. In the United States, it may struggle in very hot climates. It may be tricky to grow the tree in zone 5 unless it is placed in a sheltered area away from winter winds that can cause damage. It does not tolerate air pollution well, and should not be planted where it will be exposed to poor air quality.

Fertilizer

Fertilize a Japanese umbrella pine once in the early spring using a balanced food with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Types of Japanese Umbrella Pine

These trees are rare and costly since not many nurseries are patient enough to grow them. If you are lucky enough to find a nursery that carries this tree or its seeds, you may discover that several cultivars exist, including:

  • 'Aurea' has gold needles, which are greatly prized by collectors.  
  • 'Pendula' is a rarely found cultivar that produces pendulous, weeping branches.
  • 'Variegata' produces variegated leaves of green and yellow.
  • 'Wintergreen' grows in a very narrow conical form and produces bright green foliage that it keeps throughout the winter.

Pruning

The slow growth of this tree keeps pruning demands to a minimum. However, if a narrow shape is desired, multiple trunks should be removed in the sapling, to force the growth of a single trunk or central leader.

Propagating Japanese Umbrella Pine

The Japanese umbrella pine tree can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Cuttings will not guarantee the duplicate of the parent, though it will be faster than seeds. Take these steps:

  1. In January or February, or by the late summer, take a cutting of 6 to 8 inches long anywhere from the tree. For best results look for a half-ripened branch.
  2. Remove the bottom needles but leave a couple on top of the cutting.
  3. Soak the cutting in plain water for up to 48 hours before preparing to root it in soil. This step soaks away some of the resin from the cutting which can allow it to root.
  4. Dip the bottom of the cutting in a tiny amount of rooting hormone and shake off excess.
  5. Place the cutting in a pot of equal amounts of sand and peat.
  6. Keep the pot cool, moist, and in indirect light.
  7. Cuttings should take a few months up to nearly a year (sometimes even more) to root well before you can safely transplant them outdoors. 

How to Grow Japanese Umbrella Pine From Seed

It is possible to grow this tree by seed, but it will not be easy and propagating from a cutting may be best. The Japanese umbrella pine produces seed cones but the first time they appear they will be green. They will brown and produce seeds as the tree matures. When you harvest seeds, they will need to be stratified before sowing in the springtime. Take these steps:

  1. Soak seeds in water for 24 hours.
  2. Put seeds in a resealable plastic bag that is filled with barely moist chopped pine needles or fine bark mulch.
  3. Place seeds in the refrigerator for about three months.
  4. Take seeds out of cold containment and begin to warm them up in a dark space but keep them moist in paper towels.
  5. As you see the seeds expand, you will place them into a pot filled with moist, well-draining soil and bark mulch.
  6. Put the pot in an area with bright but indirect light.
  7. If the seedling reaches a height of a couple of inches and it has some needles on it, you can transplant it to its permanent home outdoors in the spring.

Overwintering

It's important to protect the tree from harsh winter winds. If it is exposed to frigid weather, it may suffer from windburn. Generously mulch the soil for the winter to keep in the moisture.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

The Japanese umbrella pine is not prone to any serious pests or diseases.

Common Growing Problems

Leaves Falling

If you notice leaves falling from your Japanese umbrella pine, it could be due to stress. Ensure your tree is getting adequate light and isn't exposed to too much heat.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves is usually indicative of a water issue. Both too much and too little water can cause this, as well as poor drainage.

FAQ
  • How fast do Japanese umbrella pines grow?

    This slow-growing tree will only progress about 6 inches a year in height. This is such a slow-growing tree that it will not reach its full size during the lifetime of the original owner who plants it. On average a sapling will only reach 4 to 5 feet in height in its first decade.

  • Can a Japanese umbrella pine tree grow in a container?

    Though it's a slow-growing tree, growing this tree in a pot may still be a temporary situation. A Japanese umbrella pine's branches grow pendulous, its trunk grows broad, and it will probably become too unwieldy to leave in a container for very long. This tree's roots may overheat in a container, as well, as its roots need plenty of room in rich, well-draining soil to stretch out.

  • Is the Japanese umbrella tree a true pine tree?

    No, it's technically not a pine tree though the Japanese umbrella tree may share a couple of characteristics (its needles and cones) with pine trees in the Pinus genus which is why there's confusion.

  • What is the lifespan of a Japanese umbrella pine tree?

    This tree is extremely old and is said to have lived millions of years mostly because it is impervious to any plant diseases or pest problems. It takes 100 years for it to grow to its mature height. If your Japanese umbrella pine tree is happy where it's planted, it can live indefinitely.