How to Grow Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Thuja occidentalis, commonly known as Arborvitae, is a versatile evergreen shrub prized for its dense foliage and year-round structure. Gardeners favor this hardy conifer to create privacy screens, hedges, or focal points in landscapes that thrive in full sun across zones 2 through 7.
📷 Wikipedia: Thuja occidentalisStarting Arborvitae: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Arborvitae is not usually started indoors.
Arborvitae is typically started from bare-root stock in late winter or transplanted as a young shrub after the last frost date rather than sown directly from seed into the garden.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0 for optimal growth. Since Arborvitae is an evergreen shrub grown from seedlings rather than sown annually like vegetables, start seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before your last frost date in cooler climates or transplant bare-root stock after the danger of hard freezes has passed. Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep; germination typically occurs within 2 to 3 weeks under consistent warmth and moisture.
Space individual plants 3 to 6 feet apart depending on your desired final size to ensure proper air circulation. Water moderately, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry slightly between sessions. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the trunk. Feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer in early spring if growth appears sluggish.
Watch for spider mites or aphids which can cause stippling or curling on new shoots; treat infestations by spraying water or applying insecticidal soap. Fungal issues like blight may appear during wet periods, so ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering. As an ornamental evergreen, there is no harvest cycle based on days to maturity; instead, prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain shape once the plant has established its form.
When to Plant Arborvitae
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
