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Kiersten Rankel
Kiersten lives in New Orleans, LA and graduated with her masters degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University in 2019.
She has conducted or assisted on research studies covering trees such as the bald cypress, swamp maple, and water tupelo, as well as important marsh grasses including Juncus, Spartina, and Phragmites.
Kiersten is a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and regularly volunteers with local community gardens and nonprofits to help restore critical ecosystems along the Gulf Coast.

4.0 out of 5 (3 experiences)

Also known as
Emerald Green Arborvitae, Emerald Green Arborvitae, American Arborvitae, Eastern Arborvitae and Thuja occidentalis.
Taxonomy
Thuja occidentalis
Thuja
Cupressaceae
Pinales

How to care for Eastern White Cedar
How often to water your Eastern White Cedar

every 9
Eastern White Cedar 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
Finding light for Emerald Green Arborvitae in your home

a window
Eastern White Cedar love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Eastern White Cedar does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Eastern White Cedar in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Eastern White Cedar

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 Eastern White Cedar after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Eastern White Cedar is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
💦 Water Needs
Eastern White Cedar 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.
☀️ Sunlight Needs
Eastern White Cedar 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 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
🪴 Soil
Eastern White Cedar 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!
💩 Fertilizer
Eastern White Cedar 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!
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
Eastern White Cedar 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.
🌦️ Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Eastern White Cedar can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 2a-7b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
🧐 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.
Care Summary for Eastern White Cedar
Eastern White Cedar
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say






*This plant sits in a self-watering pot in an east-facing window. It is three years old.*
This is the one plant that grew from a pack of 10 seeds for a Grow-Your-Own-Bonsai box. I think it was meant to be a joke, but here it is! (Although it does not look like the picture on the box!) It is a simple plant. I have enjoyed watching it grow and cheering it on when it was very small. Every Christmas, I hang a bright, red, shiny bauble on it.

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Greg’s plant care information is derived from first-principles biology and physics and supported by peer-reviewed research, academic institutions, and industry experts. We are committed to providing the highest-quality plant care information available, so if you have any concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to our support.
- Plants for a Future. “Plant Database.” pfaf.org. N.p., n.d. Web.
- Encyclopedia of Life. “Encyclopedia of Life.” eol.org. N.p., n.d. Web.