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Miss Grace Dawn Redwood (Weeping Dawn Redwood) care

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Miss Grace'

Also called Miss Grace Dawn Redwood, Weeping Dawn Redwood.

RHS H7USDA 5-8Pet-safeIndoor 2–4 m tall

Watering rhythm

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Weekly or more in dry periods; tolerates wet soils

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Moist, fertile, slightly acidic loam; tolerates wet sites

Humidity

Moderate to high (50–80%)

Temp

-25 to 30°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

2–4 m tall

Care at a glance

Light

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Performs best in full sun (6+ hours daily), which promotes the best autumn colour and dense growth. Tolerates some afternoon shade but growth rate decreases and autumn colour is less vivid. Avoid deep, all-day shade. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water miss grace dawn redwood weekly or more in dry periods; tolerates wet soils. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Unlike many conifers, Metasequoia tolerates — and in nature often prefers — consistently moist to wet soils. Water regularly during the growing season and do not allow prolonged drought. Suitable for planting near water features or in rain gardens.

Soil and pot

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood grows best in moist, fertile, slightly acidic loam; tolerates wet sites. Adaptable to a range of soil types from sandy loam to heavy clay, provided moisture is consistent. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5–7.0). Mulch heavily to retain moisture. One of few conifers tolerant of waterlogged conditions. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood sits happiest at around Moderate to high (50–80%) humidity and -25 to 30°C (-13 to 86°F). Tolerates a range of humidity levels. In its native Chinese habitat it grows in humid river valleys. Benefits from consistent soil moisture rather than high atmospheric humidity specifically. Tolerates typical UK and north-east US conditions well. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed miss grace dawn redwood sparingly. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring to support the flush of new growth. Plants in fertile, moist soil may need no supplemental feeding. Avoid fertilising after midsummer to prevent frost-tender late-season growth. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on miss grace dawn redwood in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Drought stress and needle scorch — Although more drought-tolerant than it appears, sustained drought causes premature needle browning and drop. Maintain consistent soil moisture with mulch and regular watering during dry spells, especially for young or recently transplanted specimens.
  • Late spring frost damage — New foliage emerges early in spring and is susceptible to damage from late frosts, which blackens young needles. Site away from frost pockets; damaged growth usually recovers as the season progresses.
  • Canker diseases — Botryosphaeria and Phomopsis cankers may infect stressed trees, causing dieback of individual branches. Maintain vigour through good watering and avoid wounding. Remove affected branches promptly with sterilised tools.

Propagation

Propagated by hardwood cuttings taken in late autumn/winter or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer; rooting is relatively straightforward compared with many conifers. Does not come true from seed. Commercially propagated by specialist nurseries via cuttings. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood is pet-safe. Metasequoia glyptostroboides is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. No toxic compounds have been reported for dawn redwood in dogs, cats, or horses. The genus is considered non-toxic to pets based on available evidence. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Miss Grace'?

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Miss Grace' is most commonly called Miss Grace Dawn Redwood, but it is also known as Miss Grace Dawn Redwood, Weeping Dawn Redwood. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Miss Grace Dawn Redwood apply identically to anything sold as Weeping Dawn Redwood.

How much light does miss grace dawn redwood need?

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Performs best in full sun (6+ hours daily), which promotes the best autumn colour and dense growth. Tolerates some afternoon shade but growth rate decreases and autumn colour is less vivid. Avoid deep, all-day shade.

How often should I water miss grace dawn redwood?

Water miss grace dawn redwood weekly or more in dry periods; tolerates wet soils. Unlike many conifers, Metasequoia tolerates — and in nature often prefers — consistently moist to wet soils. Water regularly during the growing season and do not allow prolonged drought. Suitable for planting near water features or in rain gardens. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is miss grace dawn redwood toxic to cats and dogs?

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood is pet-safe. Metasequoia glyptostroboides is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. No toxic compounds have been reported for dawn redwood in dogs, cats, or horses. The genus is considered non-toxic to pets based on available evidence.

What USDA hardiness zone does miss grace dawn redwood grow in?

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood is rated for USDA zone 5-8 and RHS hardiness H7. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood deep-dive guides

Every aspect of miss grace dawn redwood care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood qualifies for 12 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Miss Grace Dawn Redwood is also commonly called Miss Grace Dawn Redwood or Weeping Dawn Redwood.