






🌿 Evergreen lemon-golden foliage • 🌲 Compact conical shape • ☀️ Full sun to partial shade • 🌬️ Lemon scent • ❄️ Hardy down to -10 °C
The Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest Wilma', also known as the Golden Monterey Cypress, is a compact conifer native to California, selected for its evergreen lemon-golden foliage, which keeps its brilliance all year round — even in the middle of winter. Its naturally dense conical shape requires little pruning and immediately adds structure to a balcony or terrace. A reliable choice among hardy plants and sunny balcony plants.
What sets Goldcrest Wilma apart from other cypresses: its scale-like leaves release a delicate lemon scent when brushed — a rare sensory quality in a conifer. Hardy down to -10 °C, it suits both Barcelona balconies and terraces in northern Europe.
Light & placement
Cupressus Goldcrest Wilma develops its most intense golden color in full sun. In partial shade, the foliage gradually turns chartreuse green and loses some of its brilliance.
- Light: preferably full sun, tolerates partial shade.
- Ideal for: sunny balcony, terrace, entrance, structural decorative pot.
- Temperature: hardy down to -10 °C — protect the pot from severe frost with a winter fleece.
- Substrate: well-drained, universal potting soil with drainage at the bottom of the pot.
Watering & care
- Watering: moderate — allow the surface of the substrate to dry slightly between waterings.
- Frequency: 1 to 2 times a week in spring and summer, reduce in winter.
- Drainage: essential — use a pot with drainage holes and clay pebbles at the bottom; Cupressus dislikes stagnant water.
- Fertiliser: once a month in spring and summer, use fertilizer for conifers or green plants.
- Pruning: light shaping in spring if necessary — the compact shape maintains itself naturally.
- Repotting: every 2 to 3 years in spring, in a slightly larger pot.
Decorating ideas & plant pairings
Its upright conical shape and golden color make it a natural focal point — it structures the space without taking up floor area.
- As an entrance duo: two Goldcrest Wilma plants on either side of a door create an elegant, symmetrical plant frame without requiring regular pruning.
- In a Mediterranean arrangement: pair it with a standard rosemary and a Hidcote Lavender — the cypress's golden color contrasts with the silvery green of the two aromatic plants, and the overall scent is especially pleasant.
- Foliage contrast: place it alongside a green Acer palmatum — the Japanese maple's divided, moving foliage contrasts with the cypress's dense, still conical shape.
Verdeia tips
- More sun = more golden color: place it in the sunniest available spot — this is the most important factor for maintaining the intensity of its color.
- Protect the pot in winter: the foliage withstands -10 °C, but potted roots are more vulnerable to frost — wrap the pot with winter fleece if temperatures below -5 °C are expected.
- Water sparingly but regularly: Cupressus is more sensitive to excess water than drought — slightly moist but never waterlogged soil is ideal.
Technical details
- Botanical name: Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest Wilma'
- Common name: Golden Monterey Cypress
- Origin: California (horticultural variety)
- Available format: H55 cm | Pot Ø14 cm — H90 cm | Pot Ø21 cm
- Mature size: up to 100–150 cm in a pot (slow-growing)
- Light: full sun to partial shade
- Watering: moderate
- Care: easy
- Hardiness: down to -10 °C
- Foliage: evergreen, lemon-golden all year round
- Non-toxic to animals and children
- Decorative style: Mediterranean / Structural / All-season
Each plant is unique: the photos show an example of its appearance. The intensity of the golden color naturally varies according to sun exposure and the season.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page. You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.

