Thuja—or Arborvitae, as we often call it here—is a total superstar for privacy hedges because it usually shoots up pretty fast. While you can’t exactly force it to grow at warp speed, there are definitely a few tricks to help it reach its full potential. If you want a healthy, lush screen, it’s all about getting the conditions just right.
How Fast Does an Arborvitae Actually Grow?
Depending on the variety you pick, you’re looking at anywhere from 4 to 16 inches of growth per year. If you’re in a hurry for a “no-neighbor” view, the Thuja ‘Brabant’ is a fantastic fast-grower. On the other hand, the fan-favorite Thuja ‘Smaragd’ (Emerald Green) is a bit more patient, usually adding about 4 to 8 inches annually.
How Can You Speed Up the Growth?
Growth is all about the environment. If your Arborvitae is happy, it’s going to grow faster and stay much more resilient against pests and diseases. If it’s struggling, growth will stall out. To give your trees a “turbo boost,” keep these three things in mind:
Location is Everything
If you want your Thuja to take off, you have to start strong at planting time. These trees love full sun to partial shade; if you stick them in a dark corner, they’re going to grow at a snail’s pace. Prepping the soil is also key to helping them settle in. Here’s my checklist:
- Mix in some organic fertilizer or compost
- Loosen the soil deep down so roots can spread
- Clear out weeds and big rocks
- If your soil is heavy clay, add some gravel or sand to improve drainage
Don’t Crowd Your Hedge
It’s tempting to plant them super close together to get an instant wall, but that backfires. If they’re too cramped, the roots compete for water and nutrients, which actually stunts their growth. Depending on the variety, you’ll want to space them about 15 to 30 inches apart to give them breathing room.
TLC Makes a Difference
An Arborvitae left to fend for itself will eventually slow down. But if you pamper it a little, it’ll reward you with steady growth. Here’s how to keep the momentum going:
