Umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Umbrella pine, Koyamaki, Japanese umbrella pine
Family
Sciadopityaceae (umbrella-pine family, its only living member)
Origin
Endemic to Japan
Water
freshwater
Temperature
0–24°C
Care level
expert
Lighting
Full sun to part shade (grown out of water)

Care

Warning: Umbrella pine is a land (or at most bog) plant, not a true aquatic plant. Kept fully underwater it slowly weakens and dies, often over several months, so it is best grown emersed in a paludarium or with only its roots in water. Sciadopitys verticillata (umbrella pine or koyamaki) is a conifer found only in Japan, and the sole living member of its family. In the wild it becomes a large tree, with whorls of long, glossy needles arranged like the spokes of an umbrella. Young seedlings have occasionally been sold as "aquarium plants", but it is a hardy land tree that cannot live underwater. Grow it outdoors or in a pot of moist, acidic, well-drained compost. It is not suitable for any aquarium or paludarium in the long term. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciadopitys); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Not covered by our source. In horticulture it is raised from seed or from cuttings, both slowly.

Compatibility and tank mates

Do not sell or buy this as an aquarium plant. It is a hardy garden conifer and belongs outdoors.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.