Podocarpus 'Mood Ring'

Podocarpus 'Mood Ring'
A bold evergreen with a soft heart and ever-changing color

At Wrights Market, where front porch conversations stretch into the evening and every plant tells a story, we’re drawn to garden companions that grow with grace, strength, and a touch of surprise. Podocarpus 'Mood Ring' is just that kind of plant—a handsome evergreen with year-round beauty and colorful new growth that shifts like a Southern sunset.

This unique variety comes from the podocarpus family, a group of conifer-like evergreens native to Asia and parts of the Southern Hemisphere. ‘Mood Ring’ was cultivated for its dramatic new foliage—emerging in shades of bronze, copper, and rosy pink before maturing to a rich, glossy green. It’s as dependable as your favorite neighbor and just as easy to live with.

Where it grows best:
Perfect for USDA zones 9–11 outdoors, but can also thrive in large containers in slightly cooler zones. ‘Mood Ring’ loves full sun to part shade, and appreciates well-drained soil. It reaches 10–15 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide—making it ideal for privacy hedges, accent plantings, or as a statement shrub near porches and patios.

What it means:
Podocarpus has long been associated with longevity, peace, and resilience—making it a meaningful addition to any landscape rooted in love and tradition. With its changing colors and strong form, 'Mood Ring' reminds us of the beauty found in growth and transformation—the steady kind of change that comes from tending, trusting, and being rooted in the right place.

Bloom time:
This evergreen isn’t known for showy blooms—instead, it offers lush, upright foliage and subtle cones, with new growth stealing the spotlight. Its colorful flushes bring a unique sense of movement and depth to your garden beds all year long.

Care instructions:

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of sandy or loamy conditions

• Water: Moderate water needs; drought-tolerant once established

• Pruning: Rarely needed—can be trimmed for shape or height

• Bonus: Heat-tolerant, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance

Once established, ‘Mood Ring’ is a tough but beautiful shrub that requires very little to keep looking its best—making it perfect for busy families or anyone who wants elegance without the upkeep.

Pairs beautifully with:
Highlight its changing hues with companions like sunshine ligustrum, purple loropetalum, or soft pink drift roses. It also pairs well with boxwood, abelia, and variegated liriope for texture and seasonal contrast. Plant near garden benches or pathways where you can enjoy its evolving beauty up close.