Chinese Arborvitae Plant Care

Chinese Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) belongs to the Cupressaceae family within the Platycladus genus. Chinese Arborvitae is native to northeastern parts of East Asia and North Asia. Chinese Arborvitae is also known as Oriental Arborvitae, Thuja Orientalis.

Chinese Arborvitae displays a pyramidal, columnar tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Chinese Arborvitae produces inconspicuous small cones.

Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chinese Arborvitae every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Chinese Arborvitae thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Platycladus orientalis tolerates temperatures of 10–100°F. Chinese Arborvitae prefers humidity levels of 30–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Arborvitae to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chinese Arborvitae every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chinese Arborvitae is suited to USDA Zone 5b – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Chinese Arborvitae can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Chinese Arborvitae while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Chinese Arborvitae is hardy down to USDA zone 5b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes — evergreens keep losing water through their needles all winter, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Chinese Arborvitae can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Chinese Arborvitae is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Chinese Arborvitae grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5b – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5b. Chinese Arborvitae is native to northeastern parts of East Asia and North Asia.