Zone 9 · winter lows 20°F to 30°F
Thuja for Zone 9
6 Thuja varieties rated hardy through Zone 9, ranked by how many gardeners actually grow them. Zone 9 is nearly year-round growing — heat tolerance matters more than cold.
The Thuja that thrive in Zone 9
#1 most savedEastern Arborvitae Western Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Columbia'
#2 most savedGolden Rocket Oriental Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis 'Golden Rocket'
#3 most savedOriental Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis 'Conspicua'

Golden Ball Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis 'Golden Ball'

Dwarf Golden Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis 'Aurea Nana'

Franky Boy Chinese Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis 'Franky Boy'
Thuja in Zone 9
Will Thuja survive a Zone 9 winter?
6 of the 47 Thuja varieties in the Sow catalog are rated hardy through Zone 9, where winter lows reach 20°F to 30°F. Hardiness is per-variety, not per-genus — the plants listed above are the ones that hold up; others in the genus are not rated for this zone.
When should I plant Thuja in Zone 9?
In Zone 9 the last spring frost typically lands around late February and the first fall frost around early December. Planting after the last frost — or in early fall, so roots establish before the ground cools — gives the best establishment. Each plant page lists its own planting months.
Which Thuja is best for Zone 9?
Start at the top of the list above: it is ranked by how many gardeners actually save and grow each variety, which is a strong real-world reliability signal. Then narrow by your sun exposure and the mature size that fits the bed.
