Giant Sequoia

Large quantities of water are key for your Sequoia’s health. Your plant needs to be watered daily to prevent wilting due to low moisture. The soil should always be kept moist, but not soaked. Before watering, check the top inch of soil for dryness. If it’s still wet, wait, otherwise you can go ahead and give it a good soak.

Giant Sequoia prefer bright, indirect light. They need at least four hours of direct sunlight every day, with the rest of the day in bright, indirect light. If you don’t want to put it too close to a window, you can supplement with an artificial grow light. If you’ve noticed your tree’s leaves getting pale or yellow, it may need more light.

Giant Sequoias do best in moderate temperatures, between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and 65-degrees Fahrenheit at night. They like cold drafts slightly more than hot, so don’t put it too close to a climate control system or near a heat source like a heater. Keep the humidity level in your room between 40-60%.

Giant Sequoia requires a higher level of humidity than most house plants. Moisture levels in its immediate surroundings should be kept at least above 50%. To increase your humidity levels, set up a humidifier in the room, mist the plants with water, or place a shallow bowl of water nearby. Keep an eye out for signs of drought stress like yellowing of leaves and dry, brittle stems.

Giant Sequoias prefer well-draining potting soil that’s rich in organic matter. Choose a commercial potting mix that’s tailored for houseplants or make your own mix at home using three parts peat moss, two parts potting soil, one part perlite, and one part compost. Your soil mix should be slightly acidic with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0.

Fertilizing your Giant Sequoia is only necessary during the spring and summer seasons when the plant is actively growing. Be sure to read the instructions on the fertilizer package before adding to your plant. Always use a balanced fertilizer specifically designed for houseplants. Fertilize at half strength, once every month during the growing season, and discontinue in the winter.

Giant Sequoias are susceptible to common houseplant pests such as aphids, scale, mealybugs, and spider mites. If you start to see these pests on your plant, they can usually be treated by wiping them away with a cloth dipped in soapy water, or by spraying the plant with an insecticidal soap. Be sure to follow the directions on the package when treating pests on your plants.

Repotting should be done when the plant has outgrown its pot, or if the current pot does not have enough drainage. Repot your Sequoia in the spring, using a pot that’s only one size larger. Use a potting soil designed for houseplants and water well after repotting.

Your Giant Sequoia does not require regular pruning, since it is a slow-growing tree and is well adapted to indoor environment. If you would like to give it shape or control its size, pruning is best done in the spring, before new growth starts. Always use clean, sharp clippers to prevent infection from spreading.

Mulching helps keep the soil moist and prevents evaporation. Opt for an organic mulch, such as pine straw, shredded bark, or shredded leaves, and add a thin layer over the top of the soil in the pot. You can also use small stones or pebbles in a decorative way to keep the mulch from washing away.

Giant Sequoias can be propagated through seeds, cuttings, or root divisions. To propagate from seeds, scarify the outer layer of the seed and plant in moist sand or sphagnum moss. To propagate from cuttings, obtain a cutting from a healthy plant in spring or summer. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone powder and plant in a small pot filled with moist soil. To propagate from root divisions, remove the old potting soil and divide the root mass. Replant the divisions in a new pot with fresh soil.

Your Giant Sequoia may require a stake to keep it upright if it’s heavy or topples over. Use a stake that’s wider than the trunk and insert it as deep as you can into the soil, or wrap the trunk with a broad strap to keep it steady until it is established in its new place.

Giant Sequoias do not require a rest period, but they will benefit from a decreased watering schedule in the late fall and winter. Reduce watering to once every two weeks, and give it enough water to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

This plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. If ingested, it can cause skin irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Keep your pet away from the Giant Sequoia and make sure to monitor children who may be in contact with the foliage or potting soil.