Podocarpus macrophyllus, popularly called Buddhist Pine or Yew Plum Pine, is a slow-growing evergreen conifer native to China and Japan and belonging to the family Podocarpaceae. It carries densely arranged, long, narrow, leathery leaves that are deep glossy green above, giving the plant a soft, feathery yet formal look that responds beautifully to clipping.
In Indian gardens and nurseries it is valued as an extremely versatile ornamental. Its naturally upright, columnar habit and tolerance of hard pruning make it a favourite for tall privacy hedges, topiary cones and spirals, foundation screens and patio container plants. Its dense fibrous roots and slow growth also make it one of the most reliable conifers for bonsai.
It adapts well across much of India, thriving in the milder hill and coastal climates and tolerating the heat of the plains when given some afternoon shade and regular watering. Mature plants are wind-firm, long-lived and largely pest-free, rewarding patient growers with a handsome, low-maintenance evergreen.
Specifications
| Family |
Podocarpaceae |
| Native region |
China and Japan |
| Mature height |
In the ground 6-12 m over many years; usually kept 1-3 m in pots and hedges |
| Mature spread |
1.5-4 m; easily restricted by clipping |
| Growth rate |
Slow |
| Foliage |
Evergreen; long, narrow, leathery, glossy dark-green spirally arranged leaves |
| Flower colour |
Inconspicuous; non-showy (cones) |
| Flower season |
Spring (not grown for flowers) |
| Climate zone |
Subtropical to warm-temperate; suits Indian hills, coast and plains with care |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun to partial shade; in hot plains give bright light with some afternoon shade |
| Watering |
Keep soil evenly moist; water when the top 2-3 cm dries. Avoid waterlogging; reduce in winter |
| Soil / mix |
Rich, well-drained loamy soil; for pots use loam with compost and sand/perlite. Slightly acidic to neutral preferred |
| Temperature |
Comfortable around 15-32 C; tolerates brief heat with shade and mild cold above roughly 0 C |
| Humidity |
Adapts to average humidity; appreciates moderate to high humidity |
| Fertilizer |
Feed monthly in growing season (spring-monsoon) with a balanced fertilizer; lighter feeding in winter |
| Pruning |
Tolerates hard, repeated clipping; trim to shape for hedges, topiary and bonsai mainly after the spring flush |
| Repotting |
Repot container plants every 2-3 years in spring; bonsai every 2-4 years, root-pruning lightly |
| Propagation |
Mainly by semi-hardwood cuttings; also from seed, which is slow to germinate |
| Pests & problems |
Generally hardy; occasional scale, mealybugs, aphids and sooty mould. Watch root rot in soggy soil |
| Toxicity / safety |
The fleshy fruit stalk (aril) is edible when ripe, but the seed and leaves are reported toxic if eaten; keep fruit and seeds away from children and pets |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
- Tall, formal privacy hedges and green boundary screens
- Topiary cones, spirals and clipped specimens for entrances and avenues
- Container and patio plant for balconies, terraces and courtyards
- One of the most popular and forgiving conifers for bonsai
- Evergreen foundation and screen planting in gardens and commercial landscapes
Growing tips
In the hot Indian plains, position young plants in bright light with protection from harsh afternoon sun, and mulch the root zone to keep it cool and moist through summer.
Step up watering during peak summer (April-June) and feed monthly through the spring and monsoon growing season. Do major shaping and hedge trimming after the spring flush, and ease off feeding and watering in winter. Ensure pots and beds drain freely, as standing water during the monsoon is the main cause of root problems.
