It requires full sunlight for best development, but is subject to sunscald when grown as an ornamental. Arizona cypress generally requires little maintenance. Deep watering at least every other week is necessary for desert planting during the growing season. Arizona cypress is especially susceptible to fire and needs proper protection. Arizona cypress ordinarily has few disease pests, but when grown in areas of high humidity, incidence of disease increases.
Principal enemies are mistletoes and rusts.
The cypress bark beetle may be troublesome by mining twigs on ornamentals. Arizona cypress is usually available as 1 year old potted stock. It should be planted in areas where there is at least 10 to 12 inches of water available annually either naturally or through irrigation. Early spring is the best time for planting. For windbreaks 6-foot spacing in rows is recommended.