Repotting guide

When & how to repot Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum' (Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum')

Also called Weeping Katsura.

More about cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'

About Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum'

Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum' · also called Weeping Katsura · flowering

The weeping form of the katsura, forming a dramatic dome or cascade of arching, trailing branches clothed in rounded heart-shaped leaves. Foliage emerges bronze, matures blue-green and colours to yellow and apricot-pink in autumn, releasing the characteristic burnt-sugar scent as it falls. A graceful, sculptural specimen for moist, sheltered gardens, often top-grafted to control its height.

Mature size: Typically 3-6 m tall and 3-5 m wide depending on graft height; slow- to moderate-growing, ultimately broader as the weeping branches spread.

Watch for — Reversion or unbalanced shape: On grafted plants, vigorous upright shoots can spoil the weeping form; remove strong erect growth and any rootstock suckers to keep the cascade.

How to tell cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum', watch for these signs:

Thick roots out of the drainage holes, or circling the surface and lifting the plant.
The pot dries out unusually fast and cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' wilts between waterings it used to shrug off.
The plant is visibly top-heavy and tips over easily.
Stalled growth and small new leaves over a full season — though with a big specimen, top-dressing is often the better first response before a full repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'

Every 2–3 years; top-dress in the in-between years. Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum''s growth habit — strongly weeping deciduous tree; top-grafted plants form a fountain or mushroom of cascading branches to the ground, while non-grafted plants mound and sprawl. — sets the pace. The weeping form of the katsura, forming a dramatic dome or cascade of arching, trailing branches clothed in rounded heart-shaped leaves. Foliage emerges bronze, matures blue-green and colours to yellow and apricot-pink in autumn, releasing the characteristic burnt-sugar scent as it falls. A graceful, sculptural specimen for moist, sheltered gardens, often top-grafted to control its height.

What size pot to step cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' up to

Move up exactly one pot size. A heavy cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' dropped into a vastly bigger pot sits in a reservoir of wet soil its roots cannot reach, which rots them and destabilises the plant. In the years between repots, lift off and replace the top 3–5 cm of soil (top-dressing) instead — it refreshes nutrients without the shock of a full repot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'

Consider top-dressing first. If cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' is not badly root-bound, scrape off and replace the top 3–5 cm of soil instead — far less shock for a big plant that hates moving.
Get help and one size up. For a full repot, choose a pot just one size larger. A heavy plant needs two people and a stable, free-draining pot.
Ease it out on its side. Lay the plant down, slide the pot off, and gently loosen the outer roots. Do not bare-root a mature specimen.
Repot at the same depth. Add fresh moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained acid to neutral loam beneath and around the rootball, keeping the original soil line. Firm it so the trunk is stable and upright.
Water and leave it put. Water thoroughly, then leave cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' in the same spot and light — moving and repotting at once is what makes it drop leaves.

Aftercare

Leave cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' in exactly the same spot and light it was in before — moving and repotting at the same time is what makes a big specimen drop leaves. Water it in well, then let the top of the soil dry before watering again so the larger volume of fresh soil does not stay sodden. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'

Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum' wants moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained acid to neutral loam. Wants the same cool, leafy, moisture-retentive soil as the species, ideally neutral to slightly acid. Tolerates various soils but resents shallow chalk and drying out. Improve with organic matter and mulch each year to keep the roots cool and damp. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'?

Every 2–3 years; top-dress in the in-between years for cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'. Fully repot cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' only every 2–3 years; in the in-between years just top-dress the top 3–5 cm of soil. Step up one pot size in spring with moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained acid to neutral loam. It is heavy and hates being moved, and a vastly oversized pot holds water against the roots and rots them.

What size pot does cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' need?

When is the best time of year to repot cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'?

Should you top-dress or fully repot cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'?

For a big, heavy cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum', top-dressing — replacing the top 3–5 cm of soil — is the gentler option most years, with a full repot only every 2–3 years. A mature specimen sulks and drops leaves when fully repotted, so do it as rarely as the roots allow.

Should you fertilise cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting cercidiphyllum japonicum 'pendulum'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.