How to Grow Coast Redwood

Wikimedia Commons

Coast Redwood

Sequoia sempervirens

tree

The coast redwood is the tallest living tree on Earth, native to the coastal regions of northern California and southern Oregon. These magnificent conifers can reach heights exceeding 350 feet and live for over 2,000 years, thriving in the cool, foggy maritime climate. They are characterized by their narrow, columnar form, fibrous bark, and feathery, fern-like foliage.

When should you plant Coast Redwood in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Coast Redwood timeline →

Example Coast Redwood timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Coast Redwood
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Coast Redwood
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Coast Redwood dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Partial shade to full sun; prefers afternoon shade in hot climates; tolerates 4-8 hours of sunlight daily

💧

Water: Moderate to high moisture requirements; needs consistent watering, especially during the first 3-5 years. Prefers humid conditions and benefits from regular misting or overhead irrigation to simulate coastal fog. Drought-stressed trees are more susceptible to pests and disease.

📏

Spacing: 240 inches

📅

Days to maturity: Not applicable; coast redwoods are very slow-growing, reaching 2-3 feet per year when young, slowing dramatically with age

🌱

Planting depth: Plant container-grown redwoods at the same depth as their root ball; seeds should be surface-sown or barely covered with 1/8 inch of soil

Soil

Type: Well-draining, rich loamy soil with high organic matter content

pH: 5.5-7.0

Amendments:

Peat moss or coconut coir Compost Aged bark mulch Sulfur (to lower pH if needed)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 8-10, with best performance in zones 8b-9b where coastal fog and mild winters prevail

8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

Get my Coast Redwood timeline →

Growth Stages

Seedling

6-12 months

Tiny seedlings emerge with two cotyledons and delicate needle-like foliage. Growth is initially slow and fragile, requiring high humidity and consistent moisture.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright, indirect light. Use a humidifier or misting system. Maintain temperatures between 60-75°F. Protect from direct sun and wind.

Juvenile

2-5 years

Young trees develop stronger root systems and begin establishing their characteristic columnar form. Foliage is bright green and feathery. Growth accelerates to 2-3 feet annually under optimal conditions.

Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions if grown indoors. Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Apply 3-4 inches of mulch around the base. Avoid heavy pruning. Stake if necessary in windy locations.

Establishment

5-15 years

The tree becomes more robust with thickening trunk and expanding canopy. Root system deepens and spreads. The tree reaches 15-30 feet in height.

Continue regular watering during dry periods, especially the first 5 years. Maintain mulch layer. Monitor for pests and disease. Prune only dead or crossing branches. Ensure good air circulation.

Maturation

15+ years onward

The redwood has fully established its form and reaches 50+ feet in height. Growth rate slows but remains steady. Bark becomes thick, fibrous, and reddish-brown.

Water during extended droughts. Inspect bark for damage and pests. Allow lower branches to remain; they contribute to the tree's characteristic form. Minimal pruning needed.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Tanoak California bay laurel Rhododendron Huckleberry Sword fern Oxalis Western hemlock Sitka spruce

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (juglone allelopathy) Eucalyptus (competitive water needs) Oak trees (competing for resources in confined spaces) Shallow-rooted trees that would compete severely in the same area

Common Pests

Maintain tree vigor through proper watering and health management. Remove and destroy infested branches. Avoid wounding the tree. Use of persistent mulch can help prevent infestation.
Prune affected shoots below the damage. Maintain tree health to prevent infestations. Insecticides are rarely necessary in healthy trees.
Increase humidity through misting or overhead irrigation. Use strong water spray to dislodge mites. Neem oil or horticultural oil sprays if severe.
Wash off with water spray. Control insect vectors like scale and aphids. Improve air circulation around the tree.

Uses

🦋

Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity

Wildlife

Coast redwoods provide critical habitat for numerous species including marbled murrelet, coho salmon, and Roosevelt elk. The thick canopy creates a unique ecosystem supporting unique understory plants, insects, and mammals. [source]

🏠

Ornamental & Landscape Specimen

Household

These dramatic trees serve as striking focal points in large gardens and estates, providing vertical interest, year-round color, and a majestic presence. They create shelter and windbreaks in appropriate climates. [source]

🎨

Cultural & Historical Significance

Craft

Coast redwoods hold tremendous cultural value as Earth's tallest organisms and symbols of ecological conservation. They inspire research, education, and environmental stewardship. [source]

💊

Phytochemical Research

Medicinal

Coast redwood bark and heartwood contain tannins and other compounds being studied for potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Traditional uses in indigenous practices inform modern phytochemical investigations. [source]

🏠

Air Quality & Climate Regulation

Household

Coast redwoods are exceptional carbon sinks and air purifiers, sequestering vast amounts of atmospheric carbon and producing oxygen. A single mature tree can dramatically improve local air quality. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Coast redwoods are not harvested for home cultivation. Cones mature over 12-18 months and release seeds in fall/winter. If collecting seeds, allow cones to fully dry on the tree, then carefully collect and extract tiny seeds.

Fun Facts

🌱 Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth—the tallest known specimen, Hyperion, reaches 379.7 feet (115.7 meters) tall and would still be growing if not damaged.
🌱 These trees can live over 2,200 years and grow 2-3 feet per year when young, but have extremely slow growth in maturity, with some adding only 1 inch of diameter per 20-30 years.
🌱 Coast redwoods rely on coastal fog for up to 30% of their water intake through foliar absorption of fog droplets; this adaptation is critical to their survival in drought-prone regions and makes them sensitive to climate change.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade

Shop Coast Redwood plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Coast Redwood planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Coast Redwood seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Coast Redwood timeline →