The Podocarpus Macrophyllus (Podocarpus macrophyllus) is also known as yew pine, Buddhist pine, or Japanese yew. It is one of the most versatile and elegant evergreens for screening and formal plantings. This upright, oval shrub or small tree has needle-like, flat dark green leaves and a dense, lustrous, naturally narrow habit, reaching about 15 to 20 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Because it takes so well to shearing, the Podocarpus Macrophyllus is a favorite for hedges, screens, topiary, accents, and garden or patio trees.

Why Grow a Podocarpus Macrophyllus?

Extremely versatile – works as a privacy screen, hedge, accent, topiary, espalier, or container and patio tree.
Clean, formal look – dense, narrow, upright growth and soft dark green foliage give a tidy, refined appearance year-round.
Takes shearing beautifully – adapts to pruning and shaping, so you can keep it as a crisp formal hedge or sculpted topiary.
Tough & low-maintenance – also salt- and drought-tolerant once established, deer-resistant, and largely pest- and disease-free.
Evergreen structure – fragrant-when-crushed foliage and a permanent green backbone for the landscape.

Looking for more evergreen screening options? Browse our Shrubs & Bushes and Outdoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

Botanical name: Podocarpus macrophyllus (yew pine, Buddhist pine, Japanese yew, southern yew, yew plum pine)
Plant type: Evergreen conifer shrub or small tree (a broadleaf-looking gymnosperm, not a true pine or yew)
Plant family: Podocarpaceae
Mature size: about 15–20 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide (slow-growing; can reach tree size over many years)
Foliage: Needle-like, flat, dark green leaves; fragrant when crushed
Notable traits: Salt-tolerant, drought-tolerant (once established), deer-resistant, shear-tolerant
Cold Hardiness Zones: 7–11 (give it protection at the colder end of the range)

Podocarpus Macrophyllus Care & Growing Guide

The Podocarpus Macrophyllus is low-maintenance and adaptable. Follow these simple guidelines:

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade. In fact, it even tolerates fairly shady spots, though brighter light brings denser growth.
Water: Water regularly to establish a strong root system, with more frequent watering in extreme heat. Once mature, it needs only occasional watering and is drought-tolerant. However, it dislikes soggy, wet soils.
Soil: Adaptable to most soils, though it prefers rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. In very alkaline soils, it may show some leaf yellowing (chlorosis).
Cold Hardiness Zone: 7–11. At the colder end of its range, plant in a sheltered spot or grow in a container that can be protected from hard freezes.
Pruning & mulch: Pruning is not required, but it shears easily, so trim annually to maintain your desired hedge or topiary shape. In addition, mulch to retain moisture, deter weeds, and moderate winter temperatures.

Good to know: while the fleshy, ripe fruit is edible, the round seeds are poisonous if eaten and can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Therefore, keep it away from small children and pets, since the seeds are considered toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Ways to Use Podocarpus Macrophyllus in the Landscape

This refined evergreen suits formal and tight-space designs. Popular uses for the Podocarpus Macrophyllus include:

Formal or informal privacy screens and hedges
Also topiary and sculpted specimens (it shears beautifully)
Upright accent or specimen plant in tight spaces
Similarly, a garden, patio, or container tree
Espalier against walls and fences

It pairs well with other dense evergreen shrubs for layered screening. For example, gardeners often combine it with the fast-growing Wax Myrtle, the privet-like Sinense Ligustrum, or the native Viburnum Densa for a varied living fence.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Podocarpus Macrophyllus 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, not the size we ship. 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.

Podocarpus Macrophyllus FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

What is Podocarpus Macrophyllus?

It is an elegant upright evergreen, Podocarpus macrophyllus, also called yew pine or Buddhist pine. Notably, it has flat, needle-like dark green leaves and a dense, naturally narrow habit, so it is a favorite for screens and formal plantings.

How big does Podocarpus get?

It reaches about 15 to 20 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide over many years, since it is slow-growing. However, regular shearing keeps it any size you want as a hedge.

How far apart should I plant Podocarpus for a hedge?

For a privacy hedge, space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart. That spacing lets the narrow, upright shrubs grow into a solid, formal screen.

How much sun does Podocarpus need?

It grows in full sun to partial shade. In fact, it even tolerates fairly shady spots, though brighter light produces denser, fuller growth.

Can I shape Podocarpus into a hedge or topiary?

Yes, and that is one of its best traits. Because it takes shearing so well, you can keep it as a crisp formal hedge, a sculpted topiary, or even an espalier.

Hardiness, Buying & Shipping Questions

How often should I water Podocarpus?

Water regularly while it establishes, and more often in extreme heat. Once mature, it is drought-tolerant and needs only occasional watering. Importantly, it dislikes soggy, wet soils.

What growing zones is Podocarpus suited for?

It is hardy in USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 7 to 11. However, at the colder end of that range, plant it in a sheltered spot or a container that can be protected from hard freezes.

Is Podocarpus deer resistant and salt tolerant?

Yes to both. It is deer-resistant and salt-tolerant once established, and it is largely pest- and disease-free. Therefore, it works well in coastal and low-maintenance landscapes.

Are the berries or seeds of Podocarpus poisonous?

Use caution here. While the fleshy ripe fruit is edible, the round seeds are poisonous if eaten and can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Therefore, keep it away from small children and pets, since the seeds are considered toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

What size plants will I receive?

You will receive live Podocarpus Macrophyllus starter plants. Each one is under 12 inches tall at shipping, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species, not the shipped size. So you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your bundle size using the options above.

Podocarpus Macrophyllus (yew pine) upright evergreen shrub with dark green foliage

Podocarpus macrophyllus Buddhist pine grown as a privacy hedge

Click to enlarge

Podocarpus macrophyllus strap-like dark green needle foliage close-up

Podocarpus Macrophyllus evergreen screen in a landscape

Carlos Plant Farm

Podocarpus Macrophyllus Plant – Podocarpus macrophyllus (Yew Pine / Buddhist Pine, Live Starter Shrub)

Price range: $33.79 through $1,199.98

Create a clean, formal evergreen screen with a live Podocarpus Macrophyllus (Podocarpus macrophyllus), also known as yew pine or Buddhist pine. This upright, slow-growing shrub or small tree has soft, strap-like dark green foliage and a naturally narrow habit that takes beautifully to shearing — ideal for hedges, screens, topiary, and patio trees. It’s salt- and drought-tolerant once established, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance. Shipped as a healthy live starter plant (under 12 inches tall) by Carlos Plant Farm. Cold hardy in USDA zones 7–11. Note: the round seeds are poisonous if eaten — best kept away from small children and pets.

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