Thuja occidentalis Smaragd, often simply called "Emerald Green Arborvitae," is a beautiful hedge plant that brings a structured and calming atmosphere to your garden. With its fine, dense needles arranged in a uniform pattern, this conifer adds a touch of timeless nature to any environment. A fascinating feature of this plant is that it naturally grows in a perfect, compact conical shape – hence its great popularity. The bright green color of the scale-like leaves remains even in the depths of winter, providing a beautiful contrast during the dull season. When rubbed, the branches also emit an aromatic, resinous scent, adding an extra dimension to the plant.
Typical Characteristics:
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evergreen and extremely frost-hardy
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grows very dense and opaque (perfect privacy screen)
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retains its bright emerald green color even in winter
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creates a structured, well-maintained garden atmosphere
☀️ Location, Soil, etc.
Thuja prefers bright conditions and consistent moisture. The right location is crucial to keep the needles dense and prevent the plant from thinning out.
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sunny to semi-shady location
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allow sufficient space to neighbors or walls
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prefers high air and soil humidity
Perfect for hedge plantings along property lines or as a solitary plant in the front garden.
🌿 Care of Thuja occidentalis Smaragd – Overview
This plant is not only a feast for the eyes but also easy to care for if a few needs are met. It is suitable for both gardening beginners and experienced landscape designers.
🌱 Growth
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narrow conical and upright
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spreads more in height than in width (15–30 cm growth per year)
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can be kept as a dense hedge or as a single focal point
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contributes to a vibrant year-round appearance
🍃 Needles (Leaves)
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scale-like and very soft
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rich, glossy emerald green
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retains its color and does not turn brown in winter
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The aromatic scent when rubbed is an experience in itself.
💧 Watering / Water
Unlike extremely drought-resistant plants, arborvitae prefers consistently moist, but not wet, conditions.
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keep soil consistently slightly moist (especially for young plants)
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avoid root ball dryness (even on frost-free winter days!)
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best to water thoroughly and deeply
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However, waterlogging quickly leads to root rot and brown shoots.
🌼 Fertilizing
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from spring to summer (March to June): incorporate conifer fertilizer or compost
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if necessary, sprinkle Epsom salts to prevent magnesium deficiency
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stop fertilizing from August so that the shoots harden off before frost
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Over-fertilization can lead to brown shoot tips.
🌱 Substrate
A loose soil climate is important:
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humus-rich and nutrient-dense
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well-draining
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slightly acidic to alkaline
A mixture of normal garden soil and some potting soil or compost works well.
🪴 Planting / Repotting
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best planting time is early autumn (September) or spring
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for hedge planting, pay attention to the correct spacing (approx. 40–50 cm)
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Thujas root shallow to heart-shaped, the planting hole should be twice as wide as the root ball.
✂️ Pruning
Thuja occidentalis Smaragd does not require radical pruning due to its shape, but tolerates it very well as a hedge.
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simply remove dead or excessively long branches
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lightly prune into shape once a year (end of June) to keep growth compact
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never cut into old, brown wood (the plant will not sprout there again!)
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use clean and sharp tools.
🌱 Propagating Thuja occidentalis Smaragd
Propagation is possible with a little patience by cuttings:
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in late summer, tear off so-called "heels" (branches with a small piece of old bark)
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remove needles from the lower part, plant in potting soil
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allow to root in a moist, shady place.
☠️ Is Thuja poisonous?
Yes – unlike Maranta, Thuja occidentalis Smaragd is highly poisonous (contains thujone).
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poisonous to humans (skin contact can cause irritation)
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poisonous to cats and dogs
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highly poisonous to horses and grazing animals
👉 You should definitely wear gloves when pruning and make sure that pets or grazing animals do not nibble on the branches.
🧠 Other Care Tips
Arborvitae loves cool, moist root areas: cover the soil around the plant with a layer of bark mulch. Brown shoot tips are usually a sign of overly dry soil, road salt in winter, or incorrect pruning into old wood. The plant thrives in the Central European climate and is extremely frost-hardy.
✅ Conclusion
With its elegant appearance and dense, compact growth, Thuja occidentalis Smaragd is an excellent choice for privacy hedges. It is easy to care for, extremely winter-hardy, and creates a sheltered, peaceful atmosphere in the garden. Keeping its toxicity to humans and animals in mind, let this beautiful arborvitae reliably and stylishly frame your property.