Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus)
Buddhist Pine is a refined, evergreen conifer with narrow, glossy green leaves and a naturally upright, architectural form. Native to East Asia and often used in temple gardens, it’s slow-growing and elegant, making it a strong candidate for bonsai or structured container planting.
As a Bonsai:
Podocarpus macrophyllus takes well to bonsai training with regular pruning and can develop a clean, upright structure with time. Its growth is slower than many tropicals, but it responds well to shaping and can eventually develop a thick, formal-looking trunk. Best suited for growers who enjoy long-term refinement and a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
📢 This is a subtropical species—it thrives in warm temperatures during the growing season and should be grown outdoors in warmer months. It should be brought indoors when night temperatures approach 40°F. For optimal health, it benefits from a short pseudo-dormancy period during winter, with at least a month of daytime temperatures around 55–65°F.
Plant Features:
Hardiness Zone: 8–11 (must be overwintered indoors in colder climates)
Growth Habit: Slow-growing, upright evergreen with dense branching
Mature Size: 15–20 ft in landscapes; easily kept much smaller in bonsai form
Foliage: Narrow, leathery dark green leaves; naturally neat and symmetrical
Trunk & Bark: Smooth bark that becomes textured over time
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining; prefers slightly acidic soil
Water Needs: Moderate; enjoys consistent moisture but dislikes soggy roots
Pests/Disease: Generally hardy; may attract scale or mites if overly dry indoors
Special Features: Architectural form, slow growth, tolerant of pruning and shaping, long-lived
Buddhist Pine
As part of their training for future bonsai, our starters and stock trees are periodically pruned or trunk-chopped to encourage strong structure and desirable growth. If you’re purchasing for landscape use and prefer trees that have not been recently pruned or chopped, feel free to contact us before ordering to check the current status of the species you’re interested in!
This is a Tropical Species and Requires a heat pack for shipping during winter months (~November through March). Even if your local weather is mild, all trees ship out of Missouri and may also pass through cold regions during transit.
We don't profit from these heat packs, they're simply to make sure your trees arrive safely! And, if you add one to your order during a warm spell and its unnecessary, don't worry, we'll automatically refund you for the heat pack. Better safe than sorry!