Plant Care Little Gem Arborvitae

Little Gem Arborvitae

Taxonomy

Thuja occidentalis 'Little Gem'
Thuja
Cupressaceae
Pinales

How to care for Little Gem Arborvitae

šŸ’¦ Water

How often to water your Little Gem Arborvitae

Water needs for Little Gem Arborvitae
0.5 cups
every 9

Little Gem Arborvitae 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?

Select the pot size

5"
ā˜€ļø Light

Finding light for Little Gem Arborvitae in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Little Gem Arborvitae: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Little Gem Arborvitae love being close to bright, sunny windows šŸ˜Ž.

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

Little Gem Arborvitae does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Little Gem Arborvitae in your home šŸ”.

🪓 Nutrients

How to fertilize Little Gem Arborvitae

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Little Gem Arborvitae: 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 Little Gem Arborvitae after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

šŸ’” FAQs
šŸ’¦ Water Needs

Little Gem Arborvitae 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.


ā˜€ļø Sunlight Needs

Little Gem Arborvitae requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive šŸ’Ŗ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home šŸ”.


🐶 🐈 šŸ‘¶ Toxicity

Little Gem Arborvitae 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

Little Gem Arborvitae 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!


šŸ’© Fertilizer

Little Gem Arborvitae 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!


šŸŒ¦ļø Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Little Gem Arborvitae can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 2a-7b. Find your local hardiness zone here.


šŸ‚ 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 Little Gem Arborvitae, 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.


Care Summary for Little Gem Arborvitae

Little Gem Arborvitae


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4ā€ pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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