Japanese Juniper plant profile
Juniperus chinensis
A perennial shrub for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Japanese Juniper
Plant this conifer in early spring, before new growth begins, or in early fall. Extension guidance rates those two windows as best because roots can establish before summer heat or a hard freeze; container or balled-and-burlapped stock goes in during these cooler, low-stress periods.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Japanese Juniper in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 120 to 240 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: juniper tip blight, bagworms, root rot in poorly drained soil.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Juniperus chinensis (Chinese Juniper)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Is Fall for Planting?
Penn State Extension. Supports planting reference. Checked 2026-06-18.