Also known as Arborvitae · 2.8k gardener saves
Thuja: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Thuja, the genus most gardeners know as arborvitae. We track 47 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Thuja varieties
Of 47 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGreen Giant Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Green Giant'
#2 most savedEmerald Green Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green'
#3 most savedEmerald Green Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd Emerald'
American Pillar Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'
Degroot's Spire Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot'
Eastern Arborvitae Western Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Columbia'
Fire Chief Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Fire Chief'
Oriental Arborvitae Pomona
Thuja orientalis 'Pomona'
Golden Rocket Oriental Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis 'Golden Rocket'
Mr Bowling Ball Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Mr Bowling Ball'
Tater Tot Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'TATER TOT'
Degroot's Spire Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire'
Browse all 47 Thuja varieties →
How to grow Thuja
What the Thuja varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Thuja year
- PruneFebruary, March and June80% of varieties
Lightly shear or shape in late winter/early spring; avoid cutting into old wood
- FertilizeMarch78% of varieties
Apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer as new growth begins
- Check for PestsMay–July70% of varieties
Watch for bagworms and spider mites, especially during hot, dry weather.
- MulchMarch and October68% of varieties
Maintain 2-3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature
- PlantMarch, April, September and October63% of varieties
Plant in early spring or early fall for best establishment
- Winter PrepOctober and November43% of varieties
Tie up branches loosely with twine to prevent snow/ice damage and splitting
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Mulch annually to conserve moisture
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Apply mulch annually to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering ❌
- Don’t prune in late summer
- Never plant in poorly drained soil
What goes wrong with Thuja
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew on foliage | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Bagworms | Webbing and defoliation | Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or remove manually |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage, stippled or yellowing needles. | Spray forcefully with water to dislodge them. Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil for heavier infestations. |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning needles | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting, browning of foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Cedar-Apple Rust | Orange spots on foliage | Remove infected leaves and apply fungicide |
Making more Thuja
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 4-6 inch segments and remove lower leaves.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep soil moist and place in indirect sunlight.
- Roots develop in 6 weeks.
Layering
- Choose a low-growing branch in early spring.
- Wound the stem slightly and bury a section in soil.
- Secure with a pin or stone.
- Water regularly and wait for roots to form in 3-6 months.
Thuja questions
How many types of Thuja are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 47 distinct Thuja varieties. The most popular — ranked by 2.8k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Thuja grow in?
Across its varieties, Thuja covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Thuja bloom?
Most Thuja varieties bloom in spring, late spring, early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Thuja should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Thuja
Thuja shows up in
Design with Thuja in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
