7 Best Arborvitae Fertilizer | Stop Guessing, Start Growing

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The spike you drive in and forget about for 90 straight days.

If you want consistent feeding without mixing or measuring, this 15-spike pack delivers nutrients slowly over a full feeding period of up to 90 days. The 13-3-4 NPK formulation skews high on nitrogen to support dense green foliage and strong vertical growth — that is the number that matters most for arborvitae. Compared to the 11-3-4 in the 9-count Jobe’s pack, this one delivers a notably higher nitrogen hit per spike.

Buyers report these spikes are “the absolute BEST fertilizing spikes for my green giant trees” and note the spikes stay intact when driven into the ground — they do not crumble or break apart. That durability matters when you are hammering them into dry soil around a full row of trees. The slow-release design prevents burning, so you can place them right at the drip line where roots are active.

One real-world detail: buyers recommend waiting for rain to soften the soil before pounding in the spikes, which saves your wrists and gets the spike deeper into the root zone faster. If you have a row of arborvitae and want one single application season, this is the no-brainer pick.

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The 18-pound organic bag that feeds your soil as much as your trees.

Espoma is a heritage brand in organic gardening since 1929, and this 4-3-4 granular fertilizer is their playbook for evergreens. The 4% nitrogen is lower than synthetic spikes, but the formula is built around their exclusive Bio-tone — a blend of beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae that improve soil structure and root uptake over the long haul. It also contains 5% sulfur, which acid-loving arborvitae depend on to maintain that deep green color.

One reviewer says it “made my evergreens bright green just after a couple of weeks” — a sign that even at a lower NPK number, the organic ingredients get absorbed fast when the soil biology is right. It is environmentally safe with no sludges or toxic ingredients, and it is approved for organic gardening. The 18-pound bag goes a long way: you feed established plants twice a year, in early spring and late fall, by simply sprinkling the granules around the drip line.

The catch is the aroma — owners mention it has a barnyard smell from the chicken and fowl manure ingredient. That fades after a day or two, but you will know you are spreading organic matter while you do it.

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The only dedicated arborvitae liquid one reviewer could find.

This liquid concentrate is built specifically for arborvitae trees and shrubs with a 6-4-6 NPK blend — a balanced ratio that nudges nitrogen slightly higher for foliage color without overdoing it. Unlike spikes or granules that need rain to activate, you mix 2 tablespoons per gallon of water and apply directly to the root zone for immediate nutrient availability. That makes it a good tool for correcting fading color or sparse branching in the middle of the growing season.

One reviewer noted: “The only product I could find that was exclusively for Arborvitae Fertilization” — a real edge if you want a formula that is not a generic evergreen feed. It is designed for both in-ground and potted arborvitae. A few reviewers mention the instructions are only in small print on the bottle label, so you may want a magnifying glass or to memorize the 2-tablespoons-per-gallon ratio before heading outside.

On the plus side, the liquid penetrates soil faster than spikes, making it a strong option for container-grown arborvitae where you cannot hammer in a stick. And at a 6-4-6 ratio, it is gentler than the 13-3-4 spikes, which reduces burn risk on younger transplants.

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The Chicago-winter survivor that kept trees alive while neighbors lost theirs.

This 32-ounce liquid formula from TPS Nutrients is designed specifically for arborvitae and evergreen hedges, and the real-world feedback is hard to ignore. One buyer mentioned their arborvitae “survived Chicago winter” while unfertilized neighbor trees died — a compelling case for using liquid feed as a resilience booster heading into cold months. The recommended mixing ratio is 2 tablespoons per gallon, matching the Leaves and Soul approach.

Buyers on sandy soil saw “significant improvement” using it every two weeks, with dead branches covered by new green growth. It is also made in the USA, which adds a layer of quality assurance. The product does not list an explicit NPK ratio in the data, but it is formulated for steady hedge and tree development — so it is best treated as a general arborvitae tonic for in-ground hedges and borders.

A heads-up: the liquid is effective on trees that still have living tissue, but one owner reported it did not revive already dying arborvitae. Use it proactively, not as a last resort.

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A mild weekly feed that Thuja trees absolutely love without root burn.

If you are growing Thuja Green Giants — the fastest-growing arborvitae for privacy screens — this liquid from TPS Nutrients is tuned for rapid vertical growth and thick foliage. The data does not provide the NPK ratio (the three-number balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), but customers note feeding at “2 tablespoons per gallon once a week” with the plant reacting “extremely well.” One reviewer emphasized that it is “not super strong as in burn roots, it is mild and easy to use” — a key advantage for weekly applications.

It dissolves easily in water and has low odor compared to some manure-based organics. It works on arborvitae, cypress, and other evergreen shrubs, making it a versatile hedge feed. The main caveat from a buyer review: the instructions lack clear application volume per tree, so you need to gauge coverage yourself. Also, first-year Thuja trees generally do not need fertilizer — this is best saved for established trees ready to push fast growth.

A strong, targeted liquid for anyone committed to weekly feeding during the growing season who wants a gentle formula that encourages height and density without chemical burn.

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A targeted granular feed for arborvitae that turned a row of 50 brown trees green.

This 3-pound granular bag is one of the few fertilizers labeled exclusively for arborvitae trees, with a specialty focus on sturdy root development and long-term vitality. It uses slow-release nitrogen that continues feeding throughout the growing season, and it treats one large tree or 2-3 smaller or newly planted trees per bag. The NPK ratio is not provided in the data, but the emphasis on slow-release nitrogen for root growth is the defining characteristic.

The most powerful buyer story: one reviewer with 50 arborvitae planted in a row sprinkled the granules under the trees just before heavy rain. The trees had been browning but “now they are green.” That kind of large-scale result is hard to argue with. Another buyer noted their three trees look healthy and are growing after a spring application.

The catch is that the results are not instant — some reviewers saw no visible difference, and one questioned the recommended dose of a full 3-pound bag per large tree. It is a very slow-release product, so you need patience and consistent application over seasons to see change. Best for established arborvitae that need a long-term root-building boost rather than an immediate green-up.