Common juniper

Juniperus communis

Family: Cupressaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Horses, goats and other livestock: the USDA Forest Service review says the foliage may be poisonous to domestic goats, while livestock in parts of Europe have reportedly been fed sprays of it with no ill effects. Dogs, cats: no statement in the sources. That is a gap, not an all clear.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Juniperus communis, not on the common name.. 'Juniper' names many species in the genus Juniperus, and Oregon State notes there are several varieties and subspecies of Juniperus communis with no general agreement on their number. This record covers Juniperus communis only. Toxicity, skin effects and edibility of other junipers were not checked here, so do not apply this record to other plants called juniper or to plants called cedar or cypress.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 2 per Oregon State (hardy to zone 2)
Light: Sun (Oregon State).
Mature size: Oregon State: very variable, from a prostrate ground cover under 18 in (45 cm) to a sprawling shrub or a medium sized tree, 5 to 10 ft (1.5 to 3 m) high. USDA Forest Service: across most of North America a low mat forming shrub up to about 5 ft (1.5 m) tall and 7.6 to 13 ft (2 to 4 m) across; height can range from 2 to 50 ft (0.6 to 15 m), and tree forms are common in Europe. Varieties differ a lot: Oregon State lists 'Compressa' under about 30 in (80 cm), 'Gold Cone' to 12 to 15 ft (3.5 to 4.5 m) and 'Green Carpet' only 4 to 6 in (8 to 15 cm) tall.
Where it comes from: Oregon State: the widest distribution of any tree or shrub and the only circumpolar conifer of the northern hemisphere, from North America north of Mexico through most of Europe to northern and eastern Asia including Korea and Japan; native to Oregon. USDA Forest Service: native, found across northern North America and in isolated mountain areas of the southeast.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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