Plant care
Cedar of Lebanontemperature & humidity
Cedrus libani
More about cedar of lebanon
Ideal temperature for cedar of lebanon
Temperature kills fewer cedar of lebanon plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at -25 to 40°C (-13 to 104°F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly -25°C growth pauses; cold beyond that pushes it into dormancy rather than killing it outright.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Cedar of Lebanon is comparatively hardy (USDA 5-9, RHS H6). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for cedar of lebanon
Cedar of Lebanon sits happiest at around Low to moderate (25–55% RH) relative humidity. Adapted to the dry, continental mountain climate of the Levant with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Tolerates low humidity well. Grows successfully in maritime climates such as the UK if drainage is excellent and winters are not excessively wet. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Cedar of Lebanon temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for cedar of lebanon?
Cedar of Lebanon grows best between -25 to 40°C (-13 to 104°F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can cedar of lebanon tolerate?
Cedar of Lebanon starts to suffer below roughly -25°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA 5-9, but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does cedar of lebanon need?
Cedar of Lebanon prefers about Low to moderate (25–55% RH) relative humidity. Adapted to the dry, continental mountain climate of the Levant with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Tolerates low humidity well. Grows successfully in maritime climates such as the UK if drainage is excellent and winters are not excessively wet.
How do I raise humidity for cedar of lebanon?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can cedar of lebanon live outside?
Cedar of Lebanon is rated for USDA zone 5-9 and RHS hardiness H6. Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More cedar of lebanon care
In the UK? Keeping cedar of lebanon warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full cedar of lebanon care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.