Juniper care guide: when & how to prune, fertilize and spray
Juniperus spp. · USDA zones 3–9
Tough, drought-tolerant evergreens from groundcovers to columns. Like arborvitae, they won't regrow from bare wood, so prune lightly or not at all.
☀️ Sun
Full sun; gets thin and diseased in shade.
💧 Water
Low; excellent drought tolerance.
🪱 Soil
pH 5.5–7.5. Well-drained, even poor or sandy. None. Avoid heavy, wet clay.
How and when to prune juniper
Selective trim
When: from 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after the last spring frost.
- zones 3–5: about Apr 26 – Jun 7
- zones 6–7: about Apr 1 – May 13
- zones 8–10: about Feb 11 – Mar 25
Removing individual long branches keeps the natural shape without leaving bare dead zones.
- Follow overlong branches back underneath the foliage and cut them where they meet a green side shoot.
- Never shear groundcover junipers flat or cut into bare wood.
- Cut out dead or browned tips during dry weather.
Tools: Bypass pruners
Common juniper problems and how to fix them
Phomopsis tip blight
Signs: New tips brown and die in wet springs.
What to do: Prune out dead tips in dry weather. Copper spray as new growth emerges in wet years.
Cedar-apple rust
Signs: Orange gelatinous 'horns' on brown galls in spring rains.
What to do: Remove galls in winter. It mainly harms nearby apples and crabapples.
Juniper care FAQ
When should I prune juniper?
Selective trim: from 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after the last spring frost (around Apr 1 – May 13 in zones 6–7). Tough, drought-tolerant evergreens from groundcovers to columns. Like arborvitae, they won't regrow from bare wood, so prune lightly or not at all.
What soil does juniper need?
Well-drained, even poor or sandy. Preferred pH 5.5–7.5. None. Avoid heavy, wet clay.
How much sun and water does juniper need?
Sun: Full sun; gets thin and diseased in shade. Water: Low; excellent drought tolerance.
What are common juniper problems?
Phomopsis tip blight: New tips brown and die in wet springs. Prune out dead tips in dry weather. Copper spray as new growth emerges in wet years. Cedar-apple rust: Orange gelatinous 'horns' on brown galls in spring rains. Remove galls in winter. It mainly harms nearby apples and crabapples.
More evergreens care guides
Timings are given relative to your average frost dates, with examples for typical US climates. Always read and follow product labels.