Italian Cypress Plant – Cupressus sempervirens ‘Glauca’ (Tall Columnar Evergreen Tree, Live Starter Plant)

The Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens ‘Glauca’) is a true classic. It is the tall, narrow, exclamation-mark evergreen that defines the landscapes of Tuscany and the Mediterranean. Prized since Greek and Roman times, this elegant conifer grows dense and compact in a striking columnar form, reaching impressive heights while staying remarkably narrow. As a result, with its rich green to blue-green foliage and bold vertical line, the Italian Cypress brings instant structure and formal elegance as a screen, accent, or stately specimen.

Why Grow an Italian Cypress?

• Dramatic vertical form – a tall, slender column that adds bold architectural height without taking up width.
• Classic Mediterranean style – the signature look for Tuscan, formal, and Mediterranean gardens, and for framing driveways and entries.
• Tough & drought-tolerant – thrives in heat and dry conditions once established, so it is ideal for low-water and xeriscape designs.
• Salt- and deer-resistant – moderately salt-tolerant for coastal sites, and generally left alone by deer and rabbits.
• Low-maintenance & long-lived – also holds its narrow shape naturally with little to no pruning, and it can live for decades.

Looking for more evergreens and trees? Browse our Trees and Outdoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

• Botanical name: Cupressus sempervirens ‘Glauca’ (Italian, Mediterranean, or Tuscan cypress; the blue-green columnar selection)
• Plant type: Tall, narrow, columnar evergreen conifer (tree)
• Plant family: Cupressaceae (the cypress family)
• Mature size: about 40–70 feet tall (sometimes taller) and just 3–6 feet wide
• Foliage: Dense, scale-like, rich green with a blue-green cast; evergreen year-round
• Notable traits: Drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, moderately salt-tolerant, deer-resistant; pet-safe
• Cold Hardiness Zones: 7–10

Italian Cypress Care & Growing Guide

This classic evergreen is low-maintenance once established. Follow these simple guidelines:

• Sunlight: Full sun. Specifically, give it at least six hours of direct sun a day for the densest, healthiest growth.
• Water: Water weekly during the first year to establish a deep root system, and more often in extreme heat. Once mature, it is highly drought-tolerant and needs only occasional water.
• Soil: Prefers dry, well-drained soil, and it adapts to a wide range of soils (sandy, loamy, even clay) and pH levels. However, it will not tolerate soggy ground.
• Cold Hardiness Zone: 7–10. In addition, protect young trees from extreme cold while they establish.
• Pruning: Best left unpruned, since it keeps its narrow columnar form on its own. If needed, lightly trim in winter to tidy the shape, but avoid cutting into old wood.

Ways to Use Italian Cypress in the Landscape

This bold vertical evergreen shines in formal designs. Popular uses for the Italian Cypress include:

• Tall, narrow privacy screens and windbreaks
• Also vertical accents framing driveways, entries, and pathways
• Formal rows and allées for a Mediterranean or Tuscan look
• Similarly, stately standalone specimens and living monuments
• Tight spaces where height is wanted without width

It pairs well with other upright and evergreen plants. For example, gardeners often combine it with the cold-hardier Skyrocket Juniper (a great Italian-cypress alternative in colder zones) or the upright Podocarpus Macrophyllus.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Italian Cypress starter plants, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. Each plant is less than 12 inches tall when we ship it. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. That way, you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your preferred bundle size using the options above.

Also, due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees where necessary to comply.

Ordering, Shipping & Returns

Every order ships free and is insured against loss or damage in transit. For full details on how we pack and send your plants, processing and delivery times, and what to do in the rare case of a problem, please review our Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions before purchasing. By placing an order, you agree to those terms.

Italian Cypress FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

Hardiness, Buying & Shipping Questions