Can Emerald Green Arborvitae Grow in Pots? | Potting Guide

Yes, with a large container (20-30 gallons) and extra winter protection, these evergreens can thrive in pots for years.

You pick up a pair of Emerald Green Arborvitae at the garden center, imagining them flanking your front door. Then you get home and realize you don’t have a spot to put them in the ground. Maybe your yard is all patio, or maybe you rent and want plants you can take with you. The question hits: can these narrow evergreens handle life in a container?

The short answer is yes, but with conditions. Growing guides suggest container size, drainage, soil moisture, and winter care all matter more for potted arborvitae than for in-ground ones. With the right setup, these trees can stay healthy in pots for several years.

What Size Container Do Emerald Green Arborvitae Need?

Container size is the first make-or-break factor. Arborvitae develop a decent root system, and cramping them into a small pot stresses the plant. Nurseries recommend starting with a container that holds at least 20 gallons. For long-term growth, 30 gallons is better.

A 20-gallon pot is roughly 18 to 20 inches in diameter and depth. That gives the roots room to expand and helps the soil hold enough moisture between waterings. Smaller pots dry out too fast, especially in summer heat.

The container must have drainage holes. Arborvitae prefer moist, well-drained loam, but constantly soggy soil can lead to root rot. If your favorite decorative pot lacks holes, drill them or use it as a cachepot with a standard nursery pot inside.

Why Container Roots Need Extra Care

Potted evergreens face challenges in-ground trees don’t. The biggest one is temperature. Roots in a container are exposed to colder air than roots buried in earth. A good rule of thumb from landscaping guides is to choose an evergreen that tolerates growing zones colder than your own, because container planting doesn’t provide the same insulation as the ground.

Here’s what matters most for potted Arborvitae success:

• Wind protection: Arborvitae can suffer from winter burn when cold winds hit exposed foliage. Place pots near a wall, fence, or other windbreak.
• Insulating the pot: Wrapping the container in burlap, bubble wrap, or insulating fabric helps buffer root temperatures. Mulching heavily on top also helps.
• Lifting off the ground: Place pot feet or small blocks under the container to prevent it from sitting in ice or standing water.
• Moving to shelter: If possible, move pots into an unheated garage or against a south-facing wall during the coldest months.

These steps matter most in zones 4 and colder. In warmer zones, winter protection is less critical but still helpful during cold snaps.

How to Prepare Potted Arborvitae for Winter

Winter is the most dangerous season for potted evergreens. The roots are less insulated, and the plant can’t draw water from frozen soil. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension recommends applying a thick layer of mulch — 6 to 12 inches of wood chips, leaves, or straw — over the soil surface of the container and the surrounding area for winter protection for potted trees.

Water deeply before the ground freezes. Evergreens lose moisture through their needles all winter, and dry roots can lead to desiccation. Check soil moisture every couple of weeks during winter thaws and water if the soil feels dry an inch down.

Wrap the pot itself with insulating material if temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Burlap, old blankets, or commercial plant wraps work well. Wrap the foliage loosely with burlap if strong winter winds are common in your area.

Soil, Watering, and Ongoing Care

Good watering habits matter year-round. Newly planted arborvitae in containers need deep soaking every one to two days during warm or dry spells. Once established, weekly deep watering is usually enough. Always water until it runs out the drainage holes to ensure the entire root ball gets moisture.

Steps for Planting Emerald Green Arborvitae in a Pot

Getting the planting process right gives your tree the best start. Follow these steps from gardening guides.

1. Choose the right pot and fill with quality soil: Use a container with drainage holes. Fill with a well-draining potting mix designed for evergreens, or mix standard potting soil with compost or peat moss to improve moisture retention.
2. Plant at the correct depth: Place the arborvitae so the top of its root ball sits level with the soil surface. Planting too deep can suffocate roots, while planting too high exposes them to air.
3. Water thoroughly after planting: Water until it drains from the bottom. The soil may settle, so add more mix if needed to keep the root ball covered.
4. Add a layer of mulch: Spread 2 to 3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips over the soil surface. This helps retain moisture and moderates soil temperature.
5. Position the pot wisely: Place in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade works well in hot climates. Avoid areas with relentless wind exposure.

Some gardeners have success planting rows of these trees in large rectangular planters to form a privacy hedge. This works but requires a very deep, wide container and consistent root management.

Can Potted Arborvitae Survive Long-Term?

Even the larger Green Giant Arborvitae can be grown in containers of 30-plus gallons, as some gardening sources note, but this requires regular pruning of both foliage and roots to manage size. For Emerald Green, which naturally stays narrower, the container life is longer but still not permanent.

Every few years, check whether the tree has become root-bound. If roots circle the inside of the pot or grow out the drainage holes, it’s time to repot into a larger container or root-prune and refresh the soil. Most arborvitae in pots need repotting every two to four years.

One resource suggests that any pot style works as long as it has drainage holes — including painted or aged stone containers found at garden centers. For more detailed planting steps, see this guide on planting arborvitae in stone pots. The key is that the container is large enough and the soil stays moist without being soggy.

The Bottom Line

Emerald Green Arborvitae can grow in pots, but they’re not low-maintenance container plants. They need a big pot, consistent watering, well-draining soil, and serious winter protection in cold climates. If you can provide those, these evergreens make excellent potted specimens for patios, entries, or privacy screens.

Before investing in a container setup, check your USDA hardiness zone and consider how cold your winters get. A local nursery or extension office can tell you whether your zone requires extra insulation or a move to shelter during the coldest months.