West Indian Cedar is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 10 through 12 and shrugs off dry spells. Its indeterminate flowers are a modest draw for honeybees.
Zones
10-12
pH Range
5.5-8
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score West Indian Cedar on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether west indian cedar actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score west indian cedar against your land's real conditions.
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What West Indian Cedar is
West Indian Cedar grows as a perennial. It blooms green in indeterminate.
How to grow West Indian Cedar
West Indian Cedar grows in USDA zones 10 through 12. West Indian Cedar does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 8, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 240 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
10-12
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 8
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
51.8°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
240+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant west indian cedar in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
West Indian Cedar prefers pH 5.5 to 8 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Keep it in good form
Prune west indian cedar to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — west indian cedar isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
West Indian Cedar offers low value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where West Indian Cedar thrives
West Indian Cedar is hardy across USDA zones 10 through 12. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 10–12·Where West Indian Cedar growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, West Indian Cedar can grow in these states:
See if West Indian Cedar will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether west indian cedar actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow West Indian Cedar in my zone?
West Indian Cedar grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant West Indian Cedar?
Most growers plant west indian cedar after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 240-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does West Indian Cedar need?
West Indian Cedar needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does West Indian Cedar need?
West Indian Cedar prefers soil pH 5.5 to 8, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does West Indian Cedar attract pollinators?
Yes — west indian cedar's flowers are a modest nectar source for honeybees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is West Indian Cedar safe for pets?
West Indian Cedar is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.