5 named cultivars

treeN. America Native

Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata

The Story

Plant Bio

Thuja plicata, western redcedar, is a large needled evergreen conifer native to Alaska, western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. In gardens it makes a dense columnar to pyramidal tree of about 50 to 70 ft with a 15 to 25 ft spread. Flattened fans of scale-like foliage are glossy green above, marked white beneath, and aromatic when crushed.

The thick grey to reddish-brown bark peels away in long fibrous strips, and the timber beneath is famously rot-resistant. It holds foliage right to the ground when grown in the open, which is why it makes a far better tall screen than a limbed-up conifer, and it tolerates occasionally wet ground.

Uses & Benefits:

A dense, softly textured evergreen with fragrant foliage and handsome fibrous bark, effective as a year-round backdrop.

Fast, tall screening and shelter, and a source of naturally rot-resistant timber used for cladding and outdoor joinery.

Native across the Pacific Northwest, providing dense nesting and winter cover for birds and shelter for small mammals.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

720 inches

Width

240 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium to high; dislikes summer drought

Humidity

Prefers humid air; resents hot dry wind

Lifespan

Very long-lived; centuries in the wild

Native To

Alaska, western Canada and the Pacific Northwest

Toxicity

No significant toxicity reported; foliage is not for eating

Planting

How to Grow

Pick a site in full sun to light shade with room for a 20 ft spread.
Test drainage; it accepts occasional wetness but not standing water.
Plant in autumn or early spring into acid to neutral soil.
Set the root ball level with grade and backfill without amendment.
Water deeply once a week through the first two growing seasons.
Mulch a wide ring to keep the shallow roots cool and moist.

Pro Tip

It roots shallowly and browns from the inside out in drought, so a wide mulch ring matters more than deep watering.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it space to reach full width rather than shearing it hard 🌲
Water through summer drought, especially east of its native range 💧
Keep the soil acid to neutral and rich in organic matter 🍂
Shelter young plants from drying winter wind 🌬️

Don't

Do not plant it in alkaline, thin or compacted soil ❌
Do not cut back into bare old wood; it will not resprout ❌
Do not plant it close to a wall or path expecting a narrow tree ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deep Watering
Inspect And Mulch

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Tall evergreen windbreak or property screenSpecimen conifer in a large lawn or woodland edgeRiparian and moist woodland planting

Companion Plants

Sword fern Salal Red-osier dogwood Vine maple Oregon grape

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Western Red Cedar questions

What zones can Western Red Cedar grow in?

Western Red Cedar is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Western Red Cedar deer resistant?

Yes — Western Red Cedar is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Western Red Cedar bloom?

Western Red Cedar typically blooms in non-flowering; cones instead through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Western Red Cedar need full sun?

Western Red Cedar does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.