Sill/Patch Start free ›

Giant redwood

Sequoiadendron giganteum

Also called Wellingtonia and Giant sequoia

Garden plant · Trees

Victorian landowners planted these down drives all over Britain and the bark is why: thick, soft, spongy red stuff you can punch. It is fireproof, which is the point of it.

Care at a glance

Ease
Easy
Water
Once a weekWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Feed
Not needed
Humidity
Average
Hardiness
Hardy — a very cold winter RHS H6, to -20°C
Size
30 m tall · 12 m across
Lifecycle
Tree
Origin
The western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, California

Is it safe for pets and people?

PetsNothing recorded against it

No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.

PeopleNot checked yet

Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.

Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-11. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.

A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

More trees