How to Grow and Care for One-Seed Juniper

A Drought Tolerant Wonder

Travel through the arid mountainous regions of the Southwest United States and you will see dark shrubby conifers surrounding you. Their trunks of greyish-brown bark creates little respites of shade in the scorching heat. There is a good chance you found Juniperus monosperma, or the one-seed juniper. What you are not seeing is that most of the plant is under the ground. This juniper tree grows at a snail’s pace on the surface, while its taproot rockets to depths of up to 200 feet at maturity.

The tree plays an important part in the local ecology, providing a home for wildlife with its shrubby form and its shade provides a microclimate for plants that cannot handle the harsh temperature of the full sun. The one-seed juniper is adapted to handle the brutal desert climate. It can stop its growth when not enough moisture is available and begin growing again when it is once again available.

One-Seed Juniper Care

The one-seed juniper is one of those strange plants that are everywhere in its native range but found rarely in the nursery trade—outside of dealers that specialize in native plants or conifers. This is a shame because it is a great plant for growing in xeriscape gardens, and this is where it has really become a star as of late.

Adding this species to your garden is best done by finding a dealer that sells seedlings or saplings. Trying to plant a larger tree or shrub is seldom successful because the large taproot makes transplanting difficult.

To plant, dig a hole twice as wide as your container is deep and as deep as your container. Plant the rootball in the hole.

Finally, top the hole with water, fill with loose rocky, gravel soil, and cover the area with mulch. Keep the tree watered, protect it from high wind and critters for the first year or two with stakes and trunk guards, and you will be amazed at how maintenance-free this tree is.

Light

This plant grows in the desert, so it is no stranger to bright glaring sun. It can adapt enough to also deal with part shade. You can thank the high-walled desert canyons and cliff faces for providing the shade to allow the one-seeded juniper to adapt to multiple conditions. When a plant must contend with triple degree temperatures, 60° temperature swings, and months without rain it needs to be adaptable.

Soil

The ideal soil for this plant is a loose inorganic mix that is neutral to slightly alkaline. A sandy, gravel pumice mixture is perfect if you are looking to add to your soil to make a more hospitable mix. Again, this tree is adaptable, and it is not particularly picky.

Water

As mentioned, this plant is perfect for xeriscaping. It does not require much watering and is exceptionally drought tolerant with the ability to shut off growth till water is available.

Temperature and Humidity

The one-seed juniper is a desert native, It enjoys hot dry climates with occasional rain. It is frost-hardy and will do well in Zones 5-8 but its native range is hot.

Fertilizer

One-seed junipers require no fertilizer. Amend the soil after testing if you find the soil to be too acidic, but there is no real need to feed this plant.

Propagating One-Seed Juniper

While not an easy feat, it is possible to propagate one-seed juniper to create new plants. One seed juniper can be propagated by cuttings. Here's how:

1. Take cuttings at the end of winter or beginning of spring.

2. Take cuttings off the main branch. Remove any needles from the bottom 2 inches of the cutting.

3. Mix half peat, half soil and plant in containers at least 5 inches deep with ample drainage.

4. Make sure that your mixture is slightly moist, then plant the cuttings with 1/3 to 1/2 of their length buried. Water 2-3 days after planting.

5. Place in bright, indirect light and water lightly.

6. New growth generally won't appear until summer and can take up to a year for successful growth. At this point, transplant outdoors.

Growing From Seeds

It's possible to grow one seed juniper from seeds. Soak seeds in room temperature water for 48 hours. Then, place the pre-soaked seeds in a mixture of sand, soil, and peat-free compost. Ensure your container has ample drainage holes. Once roots appear, you can transplant into another container.

1. When the berries are ripe, collect them and extract the juniper seeds from inside. Softening in warm water first can help with this process.

2. Once the berries are collected, simulate natural conditions by soaking seeds in room temperature water for 48 hours.

3. Place the seeds in a mixture of sand, soil, and peat-free compost in a container with drainage holes.

4. Leave the container outside for three months and then in the refrigerator for another three. Keep the soil most.

5. If roots appear after six months, plant in another container.

Potting and Repotting One-Seed Juniper

Though notoriously hard to transplant, with luck and some know-how, one-seed junipers can be potted and used in the art of bonsai. To do this, purchase a seedling or sapling and plant it in a pot just large enough for its roots. Use a premixed bonsai soil that usually consists of pumice, vermiculite, and crushed lava. Once established, you can repot by removing the soil from the roots and moving into a larger pot, and trimming and shaping the tree as you feel inspired.

Overwintering

When grown in the ground within its hardiness range, no special care is required as this tree goes dormant in the winter. If grown in a pot in a porous pot, move indoors to a spot that is not heated. If planted in a non-porous container, it can remain outdoors throughout the winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can one-seed juniper live?

Under the right conditions, these trees can live hundreds of years.

Are one-seed juniper trees easy to care for?

Yes, these trees require little maintenance.

Where should I place one-seed juniper?

One seed juniper prefers dry, rocky, or sandy soil and open flats or slopes.