Garden Care Guide

Oriental Arborvitae Care

Platycladus orientalis

An extremely hardy evergreen shrub or small tree known for its vertical, flattened sprays of foliage. It is very tolerant of drought, heat and most soil types (including calcareous). It is widely used especially as a hedge, windbreak and cemetery plant.

Hardy · -30 °C / -22 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
  • Pruning: A hard rejuvenation pruning can be done for very old hedges that have lost their form.
  • Plant protection: Dormant oil (mineral oil) can be applied against overwintering scale insects and spider mite eggs.
  • General care: Dormancy period.
  • Pests & diseases: Look among the dense leaves for the overwintering cocoons of bagworm moths (Psychidae) and for scale insects (Coccoidea).
  • Frost risk: It is very hardy. Some cultivars may take on a bronze color in winter; this is normal.
February
  • Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches. Because all its leaves are outside the crown, it does not tolerate heavy pruning. Only remove dead or broken branches; do not cut the leader shoot.
  • Plant protection: Repeat the dormant oil application if needed.
  • General care: Rest period continues.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Slow-release fertilizer with balanced NPK (e.g. 15-15-15), to the soil, 30-50 g/m², to support spring growth, do not overdo it.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Once the spring growth spurt is complete, it is a good time to prune (trim) hedges and shaped plants.
  • Plant protection: Start watching for spider mites (Tetranychidae).
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Aphids (Aphidoidea) may be seen on fresh shoots.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Main pruning time. Prune hedges into the shape you want.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Pruning: Lightly trim to maintain the hedge form.
  • Plant protection: The spider mite population increases in hot, dry weather; control may be needed.
  • General care: The new shoots mature.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Pruning: Light correction can be done if needed.
  • Plant protection: Continue to observe for pests.
  • General care: Water stress during the hottest period can weaken the plant and make it susceptible to pests.
  • Pests & diseases: Bronzing and webbing on the leaves are signs of spider mite damage.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: Continue to observe for pests.
  • General care: Growth slows.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Avoid pruning. Newly emerging shoots may be damaged by winter frost.
  • Plant protection: Continue monitoring the spider mite (Tetranychidae) population.
  • General care: Growth slows. Preparations can be made for planting new saplings.
  • Pests & diseases: Bronzing and webbing on the leaves are signs of spider mite damage.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Do not prune.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
November
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Do not prune.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
December
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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