Add a splash of festive color to your front porch with Fire Chief Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe'). This colorful evergreen shrub features soft, feathery foliage that transitions from golden yellow in spring to warm orange and fiery red as temperatures cool. Its naturally rounded shape makes it a beautiful choice for Christmas porch planters, entryways, and seasonal outdoor displays.
Pair Fire Chief Arborvitae with holiday ribbons, decorative pots, or traditional green evergreens for a stunning Christmas display. After the holidays, enjoy its changing colors year-round in your garden or landscape.
Why You'll Love Fire Chief Arborvitae
- Festive orange and red foliage during fall and winter
- Naturally rounded shape that requires little to no pruning
- Beautiful in matching Christmas porch planters
- Compact, slow-growing evergreen for smaller spaces
- Living holiday décor that provides year-round landscape color
Fire Chief Arborvitae Christmas Porch Care
Fire Chief Arborvitae is an outdoor evergreen that naturally develops its best holiday colors in cooler weather. It's ideal for decorating porches, patios, and outdoor entryways.
- Placement: Display outdoors in full sun to partial shade. More sunlight generally produces brighter foliage colors.
- Watering: Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Check containers regularly and water when the soil is thawed.
- Decorating: Add festive ribbons, decorative planters, or lightweight outdoor-rated LED lights.
- Winter Protection: Protect container roots from extreme freezing temperatures, especially in colder growing zones.
For best results, keep Fire Chief Arborvitae outdoors rather than inside a heated home. Its colorful evergreen foliage provides natural Christmas decoration without needing additional ornaments.
Growing Fire Chief Arborvitae After Christmas
After the holidays, Fire Chief Arborvitae makes a colorful addition to garden borders, foundation plantings, and landscape containers. Plant it in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil when the ground is workable.
Water regularly during the first growing season and apply mulch around the root zone to help retain moisture. This low-maintenance evergreen naturally maintains its compact, rounded shape without frequent pruning.
Fire Chief Arborvitae typically reaches 2-4 feet tall and wide at maturity, making it a versatile choice for smaller gardens, low hedges, and colorful landscape accents.
Fire Chief Arborvitae FAQs
Does Fire Chief Arborvitae stay red all year?
No. Its foliage changes throughout the seasons, starting golden yellow in spring, developing orange tones in summer, and turning increasingly red during fall and winter. The intensity of the color varies with sunlight and growing conditions.
Can Fire Chief Arborvitae stay outside all winter?
Yes! Fire Chief Arborvitae is hardy in USDA Zones 5-8. Plants growing in aboveground containers may need extra protection during extreme cold to prevent root damage.
Does Fire Chief Arborvitae need pruning?
Very little! Its naturally compact, globe-shaped growth habit requires minimal maintenance. Light trimming can be done as needed to maintain its shape.
Container sizes
Compare the nursery pot sizes we ship.
#1 Pot
1 gallon · #1 container
- Plant size
- ~10–14"
- Pot size
- ~7"H × 7.75"W
- Volume
- 2.26–3.73 qt
- Plant age
- ~1–2 years
#2 Pot
2 gallon · #2 container
- Plant size
- ~12–18"
- Pot size
- ~9.5"H × 9.5"W
- Volume
- 1.19–1.76 gal
- Plant age
- ~1.5–3 years
#3 Pot
3 gallon · #3 container
- Plant size
- ~12–30"
- Pot size
- ~9.5"H × 11"W
- Volume
- 2.32–2.76 gal
- Plant age
- ~2–4 years
Photos give a general idea of each container size. Plant size and age are estimates and vary with the type of plant, time of year, last pruning and other factors. Learn more about container sizes
Free Arrival Guarantee
We stand behind our plants, from our farm to your door.
- 1Arrives healthyYour plant arrives happy, healthy and ready to use.
- 2Check it on deliveryOpen the box and look your plant over when it arrives.
- 3Something wrong?Contact us within 3 days of delivery.
Ships in 2–3 business days
Most orders ship within 2–3 business days. West Coast orders may take a little longer.
Free shipping
Free shipping on every Christmas plant.
Where we ship
The lower 48 U.S. states. We don't ship to Alaska, Hawaii or outside the U.S.
This plant can't ship to
AK, HI
These limits apply only to this plant, because of agricultural rules or other restrictions. Other plants may still ship to these states. Questions? Our team is happy to help.
