Overwintering guide
How to overwinter emerald green arborvitae
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills emerald green arborvitae in winter
Cutting emerald green arborvitae hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More emerald green arborvitae care
- Overwintering arborvitae — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering emerald green arborvitae — our other guide for the same plant
- Full emerald green arborvitae care guide
- Emerald Green Arborvitae temperature range
- How often to water emerald green arborvitae
- How to prune emerald green arborvitae
- Common emerald green arborvitae problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering emerald green arborvitae — FAQ
Does emerald green arborvitae need to come indoors for winter?
Emerald Green Arborvitae is hardy to roughly USDA zone 3 — winter lows around -40°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Emerald Green Arborvitae is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move emerald green arborvitae for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water emerald green arborvitae in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills emerald green arborvitae over winter?
Cutting emerald green arborvitae hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.