Hey folks, I’ve got a couple Podocarpus macrophyllus in my sunny living room setup, trimmed into a narrow screen-definitely not low-maintenance, but rewarding if you commit. On backbudding: yes, they can push new growth on old wood if you cut back hard in spring (post-winter rest), but keep it bright (at least 300 µmol/m²/s PPFD) and warm (65-75°F). I did a severe chop once to bare stems and got regrowth after 2-3 months, no bald shins long-term as long as you don’t overdo it annually.
For density, top-lighting with some side supplementation works best to fight legginess-aim for 200-400 µmol at canopy, 100+ on sides via reflectors. Blue-heavy LEDs (450nm peak) do encourage branching in my experience, tightening internodes without spiking the bill much.
Pruning: Pinch right after each flush (they do 2-3 indoors on 12hr days) for bushier form; semi-hardened tips root easiest if propagating. Roots hate tight pruning-repot every 2 years in tall, narrow pots (12″ deep) with airy mix (50% pine bark, 30% pumice, 20% peat at pH 5.5-6.5) to avoid sulking. Use RO water if your tap’s >7.5 pH; mine got chlorosis until I acidified with vinegar (1 tsp/gal).
Pests: Neem oil (0.5%) every 2 weeks prevents scale in dry air-Podocarpus tolerates it fine under LEDs if applied in low light. No ethylene issues here away from fruit, but watch for yellowing near vents.
Overall, my setup: 400 µmol full-spectrum LEDs 12hrs, prune monthly in grow season, water when top 2″ dry, slow-release 14-14-14 fert quarterly. Regret? The initial learning curve, but now it’s a lush divider. Hang in there!