Nageia nagi in Houston or Texas.

[Chester B]

I had never heard of Nageia nagi until a few months ago.  It is a very interesting looking tropical conifer.  Online sources say it’s hardy to 8b. Has anyone grown this?  If so can you share your experience.  I found a source for small plants and don’t want to waste the money on something that has little chance of survival. 

[SeanK]

https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Nageia+nagi

The site says hardy to z4, but another site from UFL said z9a. I wonder if it would be invasive. I know Mahonia bealei and Nandina domestica produce a lot of berries per plant and can take over a garden in five years.

[Chester B]

1 hour ago, SeanK said:

https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Nageia+nagi

The site says hardy to z4, but another site from UFL said z9a. I wonder if it would be invasive. I know Mahonia bealei and Nandina domestica produce a lot of berries per plant and can take over a garden in five years.

I’m thinking it might work here. And if I only have one, there is no chance of it reproducing.  It’s an interesting tree for sure. 

[Xenon]

University of Houston had many on campus when I was there so it grows fine here, should be no different than the common Japanese yew (Podocarpus macrophylla). I suspect both were once common landscape plants as see you them more often in older neighborhoods (especially the tree form Podocarpus). 

[Chester B]

3 hours ago, Xenon said:

University of Houston had many on campus when I was there so it grows fine here, should be no different than the common Japanese yew (Podocarpus macrophylla). I suspect both were once common landscape plants as see you them more often in older neighborhoods (especially the tree form Podocarpus). 

Ok I’m going to take your word for it!  I have a few Podocarpus macrophyllus “Mood Ring” that are small but growing along now.  

[Tracy]

I was curious when I read that this is a conifer.  I read on as I discovered it was from the Podocarpaceae family.  You might find this article interesting particularly if you ever get another hurricane or tropical storm:

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2021/09/09/underutilized-trees-the-nagi-tree/

[Eric in Orlando]

They tolerate upper teens fine, below about 18F causes foliage burn. Between 10-15F will cause dieback to the roots. I would imagine below 10F is fatal.

[Chester B]

Tree (small) has been purchased.  Thanks for all of the information.