How big does Emerald Green arborvitae grow?

About 2.5 m × 75 cm after ten years (height × width).

What soil does Emerald Green arborvitae grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Emerald Green arborvitae hardy?

Hardy down to -35 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Emerald Green arborvitae be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Emerald Green arborvitae be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 80 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

How much water does Emerald Green arborvitae need?

Water need: high. Drought tolerance: low.

What should I plant instead of Emerald Green arborvitae?

We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. For a similar purpose we recommend: Photinia 'Red Robin', Portugal laurel, Blue holly, Cherry laurel 'Novita'.

Emerald Green arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'

Emerald Green arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd') is a hedge plant that reaches 2.5 m × 75 cm after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -35 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about PLN 20. We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens.

Illustration of Emerald Green arborvitae — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

This narrow, dense evergreen makes a tidy hedge or a slim privacy screen. Plant it in sun or light partial shade with good drainage, and water during dry spells. For a new hedge, consider a more resilient alternative because prolonged drought and damaging pests can cause substantial losses.

We do not recommend this plant

We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. Further down we show what to plant instead.

Watch out for

In Central Europe, the jewel beetle Lamprodila festiva can cause severe branch dieback and kill whole plants; larvae beneath the bark make control difficult. Hot, dry summers and winter desiccation can cause browning, with stressed plants particularly vulnerable. Fungal shoot blights also occur. Avoid waterlogging; wet snow can split the crown, and plants recover poorly after pruning into old, bare wood. It is not a first-choice plant for a new, long-term hedge in most gardens.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: High
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 75 cm
Hardiness: down to -35 °C
Foliage: Evergreen

All details

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 75 cm
Ultimate size	3.5–5 m × 1–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -35 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	no data
Water need	High
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about PLN 20

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

What to plant instead

Recommended plants that do the same job, with similar characteristics.

Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin' 3 m × 2 m after 10 years

Glossy evergreen leaves and bright red new shoots make this a colourful hedge or a striking standalone shrub. Give it sun or partial shade, shelter…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 15

Portugal laurel

Prunus lusitanica 3.5 m × 2.5 m after 10 years

A dense, elegant evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy dark green leaves that are narrower than those of cherry laurel, reddish young shoots and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 38

Blue holly

Ilex × meserveae 2 m × 1.5 m after 10 years

A dense evergreen shrub with glossy, blue-green, spiny leaves that is much hardier than English holly, so it works both as an impenetrable hedge and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 18

Cherry laurel 'Novita'

Prunus laurocerasus 'Novita' 4.5 m × 3.5 m after 10 years

For a fast-growing screen that stays leafy all year, 'Novita' offers large, glossy leaves, but needs regular clipping and watering while establishing.…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 7

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 20

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

Emerald Green arborvitae vs Western red cedar