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Choose your climateBased on winter hardiness only.

Tree · Cupressaceae family

Oriental arborvitae

Platycladus orientalis

Full sun in a garden 2 ft 7½ in–3 ft 11¼ in × 2 ft 7½ in–3 ft 3⅜ in to −73 °F

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun
in a garden after 10 years2 ft 7½ in–3 ft 11¼ in
in the wild up to 32.8 ft
spacing 6 ft 6¾ in
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

−73 °F
no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (69 in).

3 ft 3⅜ in6 ft 6¾ in9 ft 10⅛ in13 ft 1½ in16 ft 4⅞ in19 ft 8¼ in22 ft 11⅝ in26 ft 3 in29 ft 6⅜ in32.8 ft16 ft 4⅞ in–32.8 ftspread 6 ft 6¾ in–13 ft 1½ in
16 ft 4⅞ in–32.8 ft× spread 6 ft 6¾ in–13 ft 1½ in

Plant 6 ft 6¾ in apart.

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

Calendar

Through the year.

Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
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 0.18 oz/sq ft 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.

What you will see

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

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Water the tree sufficiently; wash mites off the leaves/needles with a strong jet of water.
  2. BiologicalSpare predatory mites and other natural enemies; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides.
  3. 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, grayish to rusty brown, and laced with fine webbing.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Water the tree sufficiently; wash mites off the leaves/needles with a strong jet of water.
  2. BiologicalSpare predatory mites and other natural enemies; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides.
  3. 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.
More about this problem
Sources (3)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does oriental arborvitae tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does oriental arborvitae need?

At maturity 6 ft 6¾ in–13 ft 1½ in wide and 16 ft 4⅞ in–32.8 ft tall; recommended spacing 6 ft 6¾ in.

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

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