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Biota

About Biota

This plant is tolerant of most conditions with the exception of wet, boggy sites. It grows as a dense, conical to columnar tree/shrub that opens up as it ages. Its leaves emit an odor when bruised. It is beneficial to good air circulation.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Platycladus orientalis

Genus

Platycladus

Family

Cupressaceae

Order

Pinales

Also known as

Oriental Arborvitae, Oriental Arborvitae, Chinese arborvitae, Platycladus, Chinese thuja, Oriental arborvitae and Oriental thuja

How to care for Biota

💦 Water

How often to water your Biota

Biota needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Oriental Arborvitae in your home

Biota love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Biota does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Biota in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Biota

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Biota: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Biota after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #OrientalArborVitae

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Biota is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Oriental Arborvitae →

Benefits of Growing Oriental Arborvitae →

Common Oriental Arborvitae Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Oriental Arborvitae →

💦 Water Needs

Biota prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Oriental Arborvitae Water Frequency →

Oriental Arborvitae Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Biota requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Oriental Arborvitae Light Requirements →

Oriental Arborvitae Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Biota is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Biota does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Oriental Arborvitae →

Best Pots for Oriental Arborvitae →

When and How to Successfully Repot Oriental Arborvitae →

What Are Healthy Oriental Arborvitae Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Biota grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Oriental Arborvitae →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Biota will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

Oriental Arborvitae Lifecycle →

Oriental Arborvitae Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Oriental Arborvitae →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Biota can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Oriental Arborvitae Temperature Tolerance →

Oriental Arborvitae Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Oriental Arborvitae →

When to Plant Oriental Arborvitae →

How to Plant Oriental Arborvitae →

Where to Plant Oriental Arborvitae →

Winter Care for Oriental Arborvitae →

Best Companion Plants for Oriental Arborvitae →

Is Oriental Arborvitae a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Biota can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Oriental Arborvitae →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Biota, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.