Snow sprite deodar cedar is a dwarf conifer known for its attractive foliage with white spring needles that turn creamy yellow in summer. Snow sprite is from the pine (Pinaceae) family. A mature specimen will reach a height of 3 feet with a 1 foot spread. It can grow in both full sun to light shade, but is at its best when grown in part shade. That part shade will result in the white foliage being more intense. Its annual growth rate can range from 3 to 4 inches. Once established, it is considered to be drought tolerant. Protection from winter winds is imperative. In hot climates, some afternoon shade is appreciated. Most noted for its changing foliage color, it also has an attractive mounding, irregular shape that can be appealing. With the proper growing conditions, its life expectancy can be over 50 years. Snow sprite can be used in a variety of landscapes as it lends itself to container gardens, small spaces, slopes. walkways, and patios. It can serve as a border plant, a specimen plant or as an accent plant. Quick ID: All cedrus genus members have new needles that are born singly on stems Needles are triangular to quadrangular in cross-section Female wood barrel-shaped cones sit on top of branches Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: It is largely resistant to insects and diseases but may be susceptible to conifer pests. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Cedrus deodara .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCedrus atlanticaCedrus deodara 'Devinely Blue'x Hesperotropsis leylandii 'Reco'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 8 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Irregular; Mounding; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; White
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
New growth is creamy white, aging to pale yellow
Flower detail
Grown for its foliage, the flowers are insignificant.