Green Giant Arborvitae

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

40-50 Feet

Mature Spread

10-12 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

The Green Giant Arborvitae, Thuja plicata 'Green Giant', is the fastest growing evergreen shrub that we know of. Commonly used for privacy hedges, these will typically grow 3 to 5 feet per year once established. These also do great as windbreaks, especially during harsh winters. This bush can grow in very cold conditions, up to growing zone 5. It also resists ice and snow damage. The columnar and upright habit does not require pruning. So you get a very tall plant without taking up a lot of space.

The Green Giant Arborvitae is drought tolerant, insect and disease resistant. The green color of the foliage lasts all year. So you can have beautiful shrubs (some people call these trees) year round with minimal work! These are sometimes called the Western Red Cedar as well.

Green Giant Arborvitae Care

These can grow in a wide range of soils, even in heavy clay. The plant does better in well drained soil, but it is not required. We recommend applying a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, and protect the roots in harsh weather conditions. Fertilizing is not necessary. But if you would like to, do so with a common evergreen fertilizer in early spring.

Pruning Green Giant Arborvitae is not necessary. If you plant as a hedge, you can trim the plants once a year. It is best to do this after the final frost. These plants grow very large, so if your space cannot handle it, it is best to plant a different variety of arborvitae instead of the Green Giant and having to prune them all the time.

Green Giant Arborvitae Spacing

If growing these into a privacy hedge or wind block, plant these 5-6 feet apart, center on center. If you wish to have the shrubs grow into a pyramidal/conical form, plant the trees 14 feet apart in a row.

These plants grow very large, so do not plan on growing anything underneath of these. And be sure to not plant under power lines or too close to a home.