Repotting guide

When & how to repot Degroot's Spire Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire')

Also called Degroot's Spire, Columnar Arborvitae.

More about degroot's spire arborvitae

About Degroot's Spire Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire' · also called Degroot's Spire, Columnar Arborvitae · flowering

An exceptionally slim, spire-like evergreen with tightly twisted, dark green foliage sprays that give it distinctive texture. Its extremely narrow profile suits tight spaces, vertical accents, and slender screens where wider arborvitae won't fit. It prefers full sun and consistently moist, well-drained soil, holds its form without shearing, and is reliably cold-hardy.

Mature size: About 2.5-4 m tall and only 0.6-0.9 m wide; strikingly slim.

How to tell degroot's spire arborvitae needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For degroot's spire arborvitae, watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for degroot's spire arborvitae) flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot degroot's spire arborvitae

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Degroot's Spire Arborvitae is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Slow-growing, very narrow, spire-like to columnar evergreen with twisted, fan-like sprays of scale foliage. Naturally upright and formal; minimal pruning..

What size pot to step degroot's spire arborvitae up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Degroot's Spire Arborvitae positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping degroot's spire arborvitae into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot degroot's spire arborvitae

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for degroot's spire arborvitae. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting degroot's spire arborvitae

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide degroot's spire arborvitae out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip degroot's spire arborvitae out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh moist, fertile, well-drained loam, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water degroot's spire arborvitae again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for degroot's spire arborvitae

Degroot's Spire Arborvitae wants moist, fertile, well-drained loam. Adaptable to most soils but prefers neutral to slightly alkaline, evenly moist ground with good drainage. Improve poor soils with organic matter. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting degroot's spire arborvitae — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot degroot's spire arborvitae?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for degroot's spire arborvitae. Only repot degroot's spire arborvitae every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using moist, fertile, well-drained loam. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does degroot's spire arborvitae need?

When is the best time of year to repot degroot's spire arborvitae?

Does degroot's spire arborvitae like to be root-bound?

Yes — degroot's spire arborvitae genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise degroot's spire arborvitae after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting degroot's spire arborvitae. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.