How to Grow and Care for Arborvitae

Arborvitae, also known as American arborvitae, Tree of life, White-cedar, Eastern arborvitae, Northern white-cedar

Arborvitae is generally an easy-care and resilient evergreen, preferred for its minimal maintenance requirements. Key care points include ensuring well-draining soil to prevent root rot and providing consistent watering, especially crucial during dry conditions and after planting. Special care should be given to protect arborvitae from strong winds, which can damage the foliage and structure.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Arborvitae

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil pH	6.5-7.5
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	3-7

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Varieties of Arborvitae

Arborvitae 'Rheingold'

Arborvitae 'Rheingold' is a slow-growing, dwarf, cone-shaped shrub that offers beautiful bright golden, fan-shaped clusters of foliage that turn bronze-yellow in winter. It is a cultivar of the Arborvitae tree and is named for its golden colors. It is favored for its durability and small height - at maturity, it is only 1.5 m tall.

Arborvitae 'Janed Gold'

Arborvitae 'Janed Gold' is a vibrant evergreen conifer with a distinctive golden-yellow foliage that becomes more pronounced in full sun. Its conical shape and scaled leaves are common to its species, but the bright hue makes it a striking specimen in landscapes. Tolerant of cold, arborvitae 'Janed Gold' displays resilience in various soils, requiring minimal care to maintain its compact, radiant appearance.

Arborvitae 'Holmstrup'

Arborvitae 'Holmstrup' grows in a dense, columnar shape with sprays of rich green foliage that retains their color through the winter. It is a cultivar of the Arborvitae tree and is named for the city of Holmstrup, in Denmark, where it was bred. Gardeners favor it is low-maintenance, disease-resistant, and responds well to shearing and shaping.

Arborvitae 'Danica'

Arborvitae 'Danica' is a small shrub with a mounded shape and flaky, red-brown bark. It has attractive bright yellow-green to green foliage that turns blueish in winter. This cultivar of the Arborvitae tree named after the nation of Denmark. Gardeners often choose this cultivar for its hardiness and its small size - at maturity, it stands only 51 cm tall.

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More General Info About Arborvitae

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Arborvitae is characterized by its dense, scale-like, green foliage that may turn brownish-green in cold climates. This conical-shaped evergreen typically reaches heights of 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) but can soar up to 50 feet (15 meters) under optimal conditions. Branches grow in a horizontal pattern, giving it a layered appearance. The bark is reddish-brown with a fibrous texture. Small, oblong cones, about 0.4 to 0.5 inches (1 to 1.3 centimeters) long, appear along the branches, providing a subtle ornamental quality.