Podocarpus is a very dense, upright, slow growing evergreen plant that originally came from China and Japan. It has long slender dark green leathery leaves. Podocarpus grows straight up with very little side branching unless it is actively pruned.
This plant is relatively simple to care for and adapts well to various conditions. It is easily trained to be a bonsai or a topiary. When planted outside in the ground a Podocarpus grows quite large, but when used indoors or on the porch as a potted plant, it remains a small tree or shrub. These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children.