- **Type**: Evergreen coniferous shrub

- **Height**: 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters); can reach 15 feet (4.5 meters) with age if unpruned

- **Width**: 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters)

- **Growth Habit**: Compact, upright, columnar to pyramidal, dense

- **Foliage**:

- Narrow, needle-like leaves, 2 to 3 inches long (5 to 7.5 cm), shorter than the species

- Glossy, dark green, soft and feathery texture

- Evergreen, providing year-round color

- **Flowers**:

- Small, inconspicuous, green, pointed flowers in summer (male plants only; dioecious species)

- Not ornamentally significant

- **Fruit**:

- Fleshy, berry-like cones (arils), olive-green turning purple, about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm), on female plants

- Ripens in the second year, eaten by birds; mildly toxic to humans and pets

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) to partial shade (4-6 hours); tolerates full shade but grows slower

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5)

- Adaptable to sandy, loamy, or clay soils; dislikes wet, soggy conditions

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep soil moist until established (first year), then drought-tolerant; avoid overwatering

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 7 to 11 (0°F or -18°C to 40°F or 4°C); protect in Zone 7 winters

- **Wildlife**: Attracts birds (fruit); deer-resistant due to mild toxicity and texture

- **Care**:

- Prune in late winter or early spring to shape or maintain size; tolerates heavy shearing for hedges

- Fertilize lightly with a balanced mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring; use chelated iron if leaves yellow in alkaline soil

- Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Generally pest-free; may see scale or spider mites indoors

- Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soil; chlorosis in alkaline conditions

- **Uses**: Hedges, privacy screens, topiary, containers, foundation planting, or indoor houseplant

- **Growth Rate**: Slow to moderate; grows 6 to 12 inches per year, slower in cooler climates

- **Special Features**:

- Dwarf cultivar of *Podocarpus macrophyllus*, bred for smaller stature and denser growth

- Native to southern Japan and China; also called Buddhist Pine or Kusamaki

- Salt and heat tolerant, adaptable to coastal or urban settings

The Maki Podocarpus’s tidy, upright form and lush, dark green needles make it a versatile, low-maintenance star for hedges, containers, or as a refined accent in gardens or indoors. Its slow growth and pruning tolerance keep it manageable, while its evergreen nature ensures year-round appeal. Let me know if you’d like more care tips or design ideas!