Emerald Petite Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Thusid4') adds stately presence with its bright green, feathery foliage that stays attractive year-round. This semi-dwarf conifer grows to about six feet tall and just two feet wide, giving you an elegant vertical accent without overpowering the landscape. Its neat, columnar form stands out near entryways, patios, or along paths, and the dense branches supply a lasting canopy of color in any season. Many gardeners choose Emerald Petite over standard arborvitae because it suits smaller spaces and calls for minimal upkeep.
Despite its compact form, Emerald Petite Arborvitae continues to deliver where it counts. Originating from North American arborvitae stock, this cultivar exhibits solid cold hardiness, resisting harsh winters better than many evergreens of similar size. It handles a range of soil types and adapts well to rainier or moderately dry conditions once established. With a naturally layered branching habit, it’s ideal for containers, hedges, or as punctuation in perennial borders. Emerald Petite requires no special sprays or intense maintenance to remain healthy and is unlikely to succumb to common evergreen diseases.
Emerald Petite Arborvitae Care
Plant Emerald Petite Arborvitae in moderately moist, well-draining soil—amend heavy clays or sandy soils with organic compost if necessary. Position it in full sun for the best color, although partial shade is tolerable, especially on hot summer afternoons. Water thoroughly right after planting, then supplement with a weekly soak until the root system matures; eventually, only occasional watering is needed during dry spells. A balanced conifer or evergreen fertilizer applied in early spring keeps foliage vibrant. Mulching around the base helps hold moisture and discourages weeds, all while giving the root zone a consistent environment.
Emerald Petite Arborvitae Pruning
Some gardeners never prune Emerald Petite Arborvitae because its shape stays naturally compact. If you choose to shape it, prune lightly in late winter or very early spring, removing any crossing or damaged branches. Avoid radical cuts into thick, older wood that lacks green growth; such pruning can stall regrowth in those areas. Occasional removal of brown inner foliage helps maintain a neat look, especially after winter months.
Emerald Petite Arborvitae Spacing
For a short hedge or row, space Emerald Petite Arborvitae two to three feet apart, ensuring adequate room for airflow and uniform growth. If only using one or two as accent evergreens, set them slightly farther from other shrubs to prevent overcrowding. When grown in containers, select a pot at least 14 inches in diameter, leaving space for root expansion and stable vertical growth. This size also allows for easier watering and relocation as seasons change.
- SKU:
- 1231021491-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations