Plant in sun and water regularly. Hardy to at least 15 degrees F, it has been planted in the UK as far north as Inverewe, Scotland. This tree grows naturally in lowland, montane and lower subalpine forests below 2,000 feet throughout the North Island of New Zealand and in the northeastern area of the South Island where the hard straight-grained wood that is very resistant to rot has been used for many purposes including fence posts, building supports and railroad ties and has long been used by the Maori people for wood carvings.

We have several beautiful specimens of this species in Santa Barbara and there is an attractive group of them near the rose garden at the Huntington Gardens. The name for the genus is derived from Greek words 'podo' meaning "foot" or "footed" and 'karpos' which means "fruit" in reference to the fleshy stalk or receptacle that holds the seed. This is lacking on some plants previously included in this genus and these plants have been transferred to the new genus Afrocarpus. The specific epithet is the Maori name for the plant and is from a Proto-Polynesian word 'totara' that refers to "spiny creatures", especially the Porcupinefish. 

The information about Podocarpus totara displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.