How to Care for Thuja occidentalis (Eastern Arborvitae)

Korean name: 서양측백(에메랄드그린)

Eastern Arborvitae is an evergreen conifer with dense, soft scale-like leaves. It is commonly used for hedges and boundary planting, growing in a relatively neat and manageable shape. It is a popular choice as a garden tree due to its ease of care.

Key facts

• Category: Garden tree & shrub
• Difficulty: Easy
• Where to keep: outdoors
• Native to: Eastern North America
• Growth rate: Moderate
• Pets: Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.
• Traits: easy to grow, cold hardy, evergreen, hedging
• Also known as: Eastern Arborvitae, Arborvitae, Northern White Cedar

Care Guide

• Light: Tolerates from partial shade to full sun.
• Watering: Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil.
• Humidity: Thrives in typical household humidity levels.
• Temperature: -20 to 30°C
• Fertilizer: Apply a slow-release fertilizer once in spring.

Common questions

How often should you water Thuja occidentalis?

Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry. Roughly every 7 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.

Where should you keep Thuja occidentalis?

It likes Tolerates from partial shade to full sun.. You can grow it outdoors. Use Prefers well-drained, fertile soil..

Is Thuja occidentalis safe around pets?

Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.

Is Thuja occidentalis good for beginners?

Difficulty: Easy. It is forgiving enough for a first plant. Keep it around -20 to 30°C. Humidity: Thrives in typical household humidity levels.. Fertilise Apply a slow-release fertilizer once in spring..