Podocarpus acutifolius, needle-leaf totara, dense fine-textured evergreen foliage.
Podocarpus acutifolius, short sharp-pointed deep green leaves on slender stems.
Podocarpus acutifolius, needle-leaf totara, dense fine-textured evergreen foliage.
Podocarpus acutifolius, short sharp-pointed deep green leaves on slender stems.
Deer-Resistant Very Rare

Needle-Leaf Totara

Podocarpus acutifolius

$34.00
1 Gallon USDA Zones 8–10 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 4–10 Feet

Podocarpus acutifolius, the needle-leaf totara, is a rare, heat-tolerant New Zealand evergreen with short, sharp, fine-textured foliage and a crisp, architectural form.

Pickup available at Aiken Nursery

Usually ready in 2-4 days

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
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The Full Story

A refined and rarely offered evergreen from New Zealand, Podocarpus acutifolius forms a dense, finely textured silhouette of short, sharp-tipped leaves that give the plant a crisp, architectural presence. Heat-tolerant and well suited to the southern United States when properly sited, this uncommon conifer offers structure, restraint, and year-round depth in the landscape.

Commonly known as the needle-leaf totara, Podocarpus acutifolius is native to New Zealand's South Island, where the species grows on well-drained slopes, rocky outcrops, and forest margins. Unlike the towering totara trees of the homeland, this podocarp typically stays a compact, dense shrub or small tree, with a tight branching habit and a naturally composed form.

The foliage is the signature: short, narrow, and sharply pointed, usually under an inch long, arranged along slender stems in a layered, fine-textured effect. The deep green color holds beautifully through southern heat and humidity, and a subtle gloss lends quiet sophistication without flash. Up close, each leaf reveals the acute tip that gives the species its name, an effect crisp but not coarse, especially effective in modern or restrained planting schemes.

Grow the needle-leaf totara as a fine-textured evergreen specimen, a low hedge, or a screen in full sun to part shade and sharp, well-drained soil, giving room for a slow, dense grower to fill in over the years. Salt and heat are taken in stride, and deer tend to leave the rigid foliage alone. A collector's conifer for gardeners who value texture and form over flash.

Photo: University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, Vancouver, June 2023. Image by John Grimshaw.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 8–10
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 4–10 Feet · Spread 3–6 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Evergreen
Design Notes

Fine-textured evergreen structure. Use the needle-leaf totara as a refined specimen, a low hedge, a screen, or an architectural accent in a modern or restrained planting, where the crisp, sharp foliage reads as deliberate rather than showy. Give full sun to part shade and sharp drainage, and pair with broadleaf evergreens, grasses, and stone that let the fine texture stand out. Slow and dense, salt and heat tolerant, and generally passed over by deer, a collector's conifer for gardeners who prize form and texture.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Foliage. Short, narrow, sharply pointed leaves usually under an inch long, deep green, leathery, and faintly glossy, arranged along slender stems for a fine, layered texture that holds through heat and humidity.

Cones. As a conifer, reproduction is in cones rather than flowers; male cones shed pollen in spring, and female plants ripen small, fleshy, purple-black seed structures that can draw birds.

Habit. Dense, tightly branched, and naturally composed, a compact shrub or small tree of slow to moderate growth.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade; full sun gives the densest foliage.

Soil. Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral; adaptable to sandy, loamy, or rocky ground, but not heavy wet clay.

Water. Water regularly to establish, then moderately drought tolerant with the odd deep soak in dry spells.

Pruning. Shears well; trim lightly to shape in late winter or early spring.

Hardiness. USDA zones 8 to 10; salt tolerant and largely deer-proof.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

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