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Plante

Tapering tips of Italian cypresses standing out against a clear, even sky

Italian cypress

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'

The dark green column of Mediterranean gardens: a perfect vertical stroke to punctuate an avenue or close a view.

Light
Full sun
Water
Little water
Care
Easy
Heat
Extreme heat
Pets
Not documented

At a glance

Botanical name
Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'
Also known as
Cyprès de Provence · Cyprès d'Italie · Italian cypress · Mediterranean cypress · سرو
Mature height
1,000 to 2,000 cm
Growth
Moderate growth
Environments
Outdoor · Garden · Terrace · Poolside
Pets
Toxicity not documented

Care

What this plant needs

For each area, the instruction specific to this plant, then the general principle that explains why.

Water

For this plant

Water weekly in the first year, then every fifteen to twenty days in summer. Draining soil is essential.

The principle

A low need means a clear dry-then-wet cycle. Wait until the top two thirds of the substrate are dry, water until it runs from the base, then empty the saucer ten minutes later. Permanently moist soil suffocates roots far faster than dryness starves them.

Light

For this plant

Full sun. In shade it thins out and loses density.

The principle

Full sun means six hours or more of direct light a day. These plants build thick foliage and dense tissue to cope with it; in insufficient light they stretch, lengthen their internodes and lose their compact habit. After buying or repotting, reintroduce direct sun gradually over ten to fifteen days to avoid scorch.

Feeding

For this plant

Compost at the base in late winter. Nothing else needed.

The principle

Moderate growth is fed once a month from March to September with a balanced liquid feed at the maker's dose. Water with plain water first, then feed: on dry substrate, concentrated fertiliser burns the fine roots. Nothing from October to February, the resting period.

Temperature

For this plant

Withstands −12 °C and the harshest heatwaves. Reliable from Tangier to Oujda and at moderate altitude.

The principle

This plant takes Moroccan heat peaks, chergui included, without lasting damage. Above 40 °C it simply pauses its growth: that is a protection, not a sign of distress. Cold exposes it more — watch winter nights at altitude and inland.

Yearly rhythm

Indicative calendar

Calendar derived from the plant's profile — water need, heat tolerance, environment and growth rate — applied to the Moroccan climate; adjust it to your city, your exposure and your substrate.

Indicative twelve-month care calendar
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
WateringWatering in January: ReducedWatering in February: ReducedWatering in March: ReducedWatering in April: ReducedWatering in May: ReducedWatering in June: RegularWatering in July: RegularWatering in August: RegularWatering in September: RegularWatering in October: ReducedWatering in November: ReducedWatering in December: Reduced
FeedingFeeding in January: Nothing to doFeeding in February: Nothing to doFeeding in March: ReducedFeeding in April: RegularFeeding in May: RegularFeeding in June: RegularFeeding in July: RegularFeeding in August: RegularFeeding in September: ReducedFeeding in October: Nothing to doFeeding in November: Nothing to doFeeding in December: Nothing to do
PruningPruning in January: Nothing to doPruning in February: RegularPruning in March: RegularPruning in April: Nothing to doPruning in May: Nothing to doPruning in June: Nothing to doPruning in July: Nothing to doPruning in August: Nothing to doPruning in September: Nothing to doPruning in October: Nothing to doPruning in November: Nothing to doPruning in December: Nothing to do
IntensityNothing to doReducedRegularSustained

Morocco

Where this plant thrives in Morocco

Our observations city by city, crossed with the local climate. A city that is missing is not a refusal: it simply has not been documented for this plant yet.

Thrives

  • Marrakechinland · dry air · 45 °C in summer, 4 °C in winter
  • Fezinland · dry air · 42 °C in summer, 2 °C in winter
  • Meknesinland · dry air · 41 °C in summer, 2 °C in winter
  • Beni Mellalinland · dry air · 43 °C in summer, 3 °C in winter
  • Oujdainland · dry air · 41 °C in summer, 1 °C in winter

Well suited

  • Rabatcoastal · moderate humidity · 33 °C in summer, 6 °C in winter
  • Casablancacoastal · moderate humidity · 33 °C in summer, 7 °C in winter
  • Bouskourainland · moderate humidity · 35 °C in summer, 5 °C in winter
  • Tangiercoastal · humid air · 31 °C in summer, 8 °C in winter
  • Agadircoastal · moderate humidity · 34 °C in summer, 8 °C in winter
  • El Jadidacoastal · moderate humidity · 32 °C in summer, 7 °C in winter

Possible with care

  • Essaouiracoastal · humid air · 27 °C in summer, 9 °C in winter

We deliver to all of these cities.

Diagnosis

Three signals worth reading

The three most common disorders on a plant with this profile, and the move that corrects them.

  1. 1

    What you see

    Lower leaves turning yellow and dropping at the slightest touch while the surface still feels fresh.

    Likely cause

    Watering too close together: the roots never get to breathe between two doses.

    The right move

    Switch to a clear cycle — dry through two thirds of the depth, then a thorough watering with full drainage. Always empty the saucer and raise the pot on feet if needed.

  2. 2

    What you see

    Stems stretching towards the window, long internodes, new leaves smaller and paler.

    Likely cause

    Not enough light. A full-sun plant three metres from a window receives less than a tenth of what it asks for.

    The right move

    Move it to the brightest glazing or out onto a balcony, reacclimatising it to direct sun over two weeks. Cut back the stretched shoots: it will regrow compact.

  3. 3

    What you see

    Grey dust on the foliage, growth slowing with no obvious cause.

    Likely cause

    A dusty blade captures markedly less light, and city dust in Morocco builds up fast.

    The right move

    Wipe the leaves with a damp sponge every month, upper and lower surfaces. Avoid leaf-shine products, which block the stomata.

Country lane lined with cypresses leading to a stone house on a hill

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Journal

Further reading on this plant

The journal articles that mention it.