Tree · Cupressaceae family

Oriental arborvitae

Platycladus orientalis

Full sun in a garden 0.8–1.2 m × 0.8–1 m to −23 °C

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun

in a garden after 10 years0.8–1.2 m
in the wild up to 10 m
spacing 2 m

PlantingMarch–April, September–October

WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more

Part shade3–6 hours

Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil

acidicneutralalkaline

dry to averagesandyloamygravelly

Watering

regularly until establishedat the base, not on the leavesless when it rains

Frost

−23 °C

no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

5–10 m× spread 2–4 m

Plant 2 m apart.

The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

PlantingFeeding

Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, root-balled).

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October; root-balled: March–April, September–October

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

Softwood spider mite

Oligonychus ununguis

pest

What you will see

Needles are faded, greyish to rusty brown, and laced with fine webbing.

How to protect

Prevention
- Water the tree sufficiently; wash mites off the leaves/needles with a strong jet of water.
BiologicalSpare predatory mites and other natural enemies; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides.
Gentle spray winter dormancy; in season as neededUltra-fine horticultural oil in winter dormancy against overwintering eggs; in season, oil at a low concentration spares predatory mites.

Softwood spider mitepest

What you will see

Needles are faded, greyish to rusty brown, and laced with fine webbing.

How to protect

Prevention
- Water the tree sufficiently; wash mites off the leaves/needles with a strong jet of water.
BiologicalSpare predatory mites and other natural enemies; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides.
Gentle spray winter dormancy; in season as neededUltra-fine horticultural oil in winter dormancy against overwintering eggs; in season, oil at a low concentration spares predatory mites.

Quick answers.

Does oriental arborvitae tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does oriental arborvitae need?

At maturity 2–4 m wide and 5–10 m tall; recommended spacing 2 m.

Softwood spider mite — what can you do?

Water the tree sufficiently; wash mites off the leaves/needles with a strong jet of water. Spare predatory mites and other natural enemies; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides.

Sources (12) Checked 24 October 2026