How to grow Thuja

Thuja occidentalis · arborvitae, northern white cedar, eastern white cedar

Dense, conical evergreen conifer from eastern North America with flat sprays of scale-like leaves, much used for hedges and screens. In gardens it usually grows 6–9 m tall and is very winter-hardy.

Quick facts

Type	Shrub
Family	Cupressaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil pH	6–8
Frost	tolerates light frost
Where it grows	Open ground

When to plant

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 14 days	—	—
Flowering	every 14 days	—	—
Winter rest	—	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Full sun, or light afternoon shade in hot summers; in heavy shade the plant becomes loose and open.

Soil

Moist, well-drained, fertile soil, pH 6.0–8.0; it does not thrive in standing water or dry ground.

Care

It is not drought-tolerant, so soak it every two to three weeks in dry spells, even when established. Keep it to size with a light shearing once a year. Avoid hard pruning, because it does not regrow from bare stems.

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.