Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
You want your arborvitae hedge thick, green, and growing fast. Getting the right food into the soil at the right time makes that happen. The wrong fertilizer leaves them thin and brown. The right one builds deep roots and vibrant foliage that weathers storms and winter burn.
I’m Rikta — the founder and writer behind Lawn Gear Lab. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Whether you are planting a new privacy screen or reviving a tired row of emerald greens, these are the best options in the food for arborvitae category this season.
Quick Picks
- Jobe’s 01661 Evergreen Fertilizer Spikes, 15-Pack — Top Performer
- Arborvitae Tree Fertilizer – Liquid Plant Food, 32 oz — Best Overall
- Espoma Organic Holly-Tone 4-3-4, 36 lb Bag — Best Value
- Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food, 5 lb — Versatile Feed
- Jobe’s Slow Release Evergreen Fertilizer Spikes, 9 Count — Entry-Level Spikes
- Espoma Organic Evergreen-Tone 4-3-4, 8 lb Bag — Organic Starter
How To Choose The Best Food For Arborvitae
Picking the right plant food is less about brand loyalty and more about understanding what your arborvitae actually needs. Look for a formula designed for acid-loving evergreens, and pay close attention to the N-P-K numbers on the label.
Understand the N-P-K Ratio
These three numbers stand for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). For arborvitae, you want the first number to be the highest because nitrogen drives that lush green foliage growth you are after. A ratio like 15-3-4 or 11-3-4 gives you plenty of leaf-building power with a modest amount of root and bloom support.
Pick Your Format: Spikes, Granules, or Liquid
Slow-release fertilizer spikes are the most hands-off option — you push them into the soil and they feed for months. Granular formulas like those from Espoma let you control the spread and work best when scratched into the topsoil. Liquid concentrates are ideal for a quick boost, but they need to be mixed and applied every few weeks during the growing season.
Organic or Synthetic?
Organic fertilizers, such as Bio-tone or Holly-tone blends, feed the soil microbes as well as the tree. They break down slowly and are less likely to burn roots. Synthetic options like Miracle-Gro work faster but require precise mixing. Either can work well — just match the feeding schedule to the product.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Best For | N-P-K Ratio | Item Form | Item Weight | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jobe’s 01661 Spikes | Top Performer | 15-3-4 | Sticks | 1 Pound | Amazon |
| Arborvitae Tree Fertilizer Liquid | Quick Boost | 2 Tbsp/gal | Liquid | 32 Ounces | Amazon |
| Espoma Holly-Tone 36 lb | Best Value (Large) | 4-3-4 | Granules | 36 Pounds | Amazon |
| Miracle-Gro Water Soluble | Versatile Feed | 1:144 / 1:18 | Powder | 5 Pounds | Amazon |
| Jobe’s Slow Release (9ct) | Entry-Level Spikes | 11-3-4 | Granules | 3.68 ounces | Amazon |
| Espoma Evergreen-Tone 8 lb | Organic Starter | 4-3-4 | Granules | 8 Pounds | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Jobe’s 01661 Evergreen Fertilizer Spikes, 15-Pack
This spike delivers the strongest nitrogen punch in the lineup for serious green-up — with a 15-3-4 N-P-K ratio (the N means nitrogen, which drives leaf growth).
Your arborvitae need a nitrogen boost to push out dense, vibrant foliage, and this is the spike that delivers it. The N-P-K ratio (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) is 15-3-4, versus 11-3-4 in the smaller Jobe’s pack. Each spike feeds for up to 90 days. Buyers report these are effective on evergreen trees and note strong seasonal performance. The box weighs just 1 pound, so you can carry it around the yard easily. Reviewers mention you need moist ground to push the spikes in without crumbling them. Unlike liquid feeds that require mixing, you simply drive the spike into the soil at the drip line (the circle under the outermost branches). The main trade-off is that you must moisten the ground first and use a hammer claw to retrieve the plastic cap.
What Stands Out
- Highest nitrogen ratio (15-3-4) in this roundup for maximum foliage growth
- Feeds for 90 days with a single application
- Pre-measured spikes eliminate guesswork and the risk of over-fertilizing
Keep in Mind
- Soil must be moist to insert the spike without it breaking apart
- Plastic cap can be tricky to remove; some buyers use a hammer claw to pry it off
Reach for this if: you have a row of established arborvitae or green giants and want the strongest slow-release nitrogen boost available — low-maintenance for three months.
Look elsewhere if: your soil is dry and compacted clay, because you will struggle to get the spikes into the ground without pre-watering.
2. Arborvitae Tree Fertilizer – Liquid Plant Food, 32 oz
This is the only liquid in the lineup formulated specifically for arborvitae — not just general evergreens — so it targets what your tree actually needs.
While most products in this category are general evergreen spikes or powders, this one is made explicitly for arborvitae and evergreen hedges. It comes as a liquid concentrate with a mixing ratio of 2 tablespoons per gallon of water, which means you can precisely control the dosage for each tree. At 32 fluid ounces, the bottle makes a lot of mix. Owners mention that their arborvitae did well after winter and that it helped improve browning, restoring a healthy, green appearance. The liquid soaks into the root zone as a mixed application. Reviewers also note that it works well with a hose-end sprayer or a simple sprinkling can. The catch is that you need to feed every two weeks during the growing season, unlike a spike that lasts three months in one go.
Why It Wins
- Formulated specifically for arborvitae, not just general evergreens
- Quick absorption helps revive browning foliage fast
- Versatile application — use with sprayer or watering can
Considerations
- Needs repeated application every 2 weeks for best results
- Heavier bottle (32 ounces) versus lightweight spike packs
Grab this for: newly planted arborvitae that need a quick recovery from transplant shock or browning — the liquid gets into the roots immediately.
Pass on it if: you want a low-maintenance solution; a spike that feeds for 90 days is easier if you are maintaining mature, healthy trees.
3. Espoma Organic Holly-Tone 4-3-4, 36 lb Bag
At 36 pounds, this organic bag is larger than the 8-pound Evergreen-Tone option.
If you have a long row of arborvitae or a large property with multiple acid-loving plants, this is a practical buy for repeated applications. The 36-pound bag is larger than Espoma’s 8-pound Evergreen-Tone bag. The N-P-K ratio (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) is 4-3-4 with 5% sulfur, which helps keep the soil acidic — exactly what arborvitae like. The granules are ready to use with no mixing required; just scatter them around the drip line of each tree and water them in. Customers call it a strong fertilizer for acid-loving plants, and one reviewer noted they “appreciate the good price on a 36 lb bag” and buy it every year. The trade-off is that the organic formula takes a bit longer to show results compared to synthetic spikes, and the bag is heavy at 36 pounds. Also, the 4-3-4 ratio is lower in nitrogen than the Jobe’s 15-3-4 spike, so if your arborvitae need a dense green-up fast, the spikes may be the stronger option.
Organic Powerhouse: This is the best pick if you want to feed every acid-loving plant on your property with one bag and prefer slow, soil-building organics over fast synthetic spikes.
Best for: owners of large landscapes with mixed evergreens and acid shrubs who want an organic, all-in-one fertilizer that supports the soil food web.
Not ideal for: someone with just a couple of young arborvitae who wants a quick nitrogen green-up; a small bag or a spike pack would be more practical.
4. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food, 5 lb
This water-soluble powder feeds roots within minutes after watering — reviewers point out they see results “after a week already.”
Arborvitae are acid-loving evergreens, and this water-soluble powder is designed specifically for that group — it feeds azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, gardenias, hibiscus, hollies, hydrangeas, and orchids too. The 5-pound bag mixes at two different ratios depending on where you use it: 1:144 (about 1 teaspoon per gallon) for indoor plants and 1:18 (about 2 tablespoons per gallon) for outdoor plants. You apply every 7-14 days with a watering can or a Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder, and shoppers say seeing results “after a week already.” One buyer mentioned it “truly helped our rhododendron to recover and look stunning this summer.” The reason to pick this over a spike is speed — the nutrients are available to the roots the moment you water it in. That makes it great for rescuing a struggling arborvitae or giving a quick boost before a stressful summer. The catch is that you need to mix and apply every one to two weeks, which is more labor than a slow-release spike. Also, the 5-pound bag is bulkier than a spike box and needs dry storage to prevent clumping.
Fast Results
- Water-soluble formula feeds roots immediately after watering
- Safe for a wide range of acid-loving plants including arborvitae
- Won’t burn foliage when used as directed
Extra Work
- Requires mixing and reapplying every 7-14 days
- Less convenient than spikes for low-maintenance feeding
Reach for this if: you have a variety of acid-loving shrubs and need one powder that feeds them all, especially if one tree needs a fast pickup.
skip it if: you want a hands-off solution — spikes give you 90 days of feeding with no mixing required.
5. Jobe’s Slow Release Evergreen Fertilizer Spikes, 9 Count
This smaller, 9-count spike pack costs less upfront — but the N-P-K ratio (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) of 11-3-4 is lower than the 15-3-4 in the larger Jobe’s pack.
If you only have a few young arborvitae or a single specimen tree, this 9-count pack of spikes gives you the same slow-release convenience as the 15-pack, just in a smaller dose. The N-P-K ratio is 11-3-4, versus 15-3-4 in the larger Jobe’s pack. Each spike provides a slow-release feed that lasts a full season with no risk of over-fertilizing, and you apply it twice a year in early spring and late fall. The spikes are pre-measured to avoid wasteful runoff, mess, and smells. Buyers report the slow-release formula provides consistent nutrients for evergreen trees, and one reviewer who has used them for 12 years calls them “the best-performing slow-release spikes for trees.” At 3.68 ounces versus 32 ounces for the Arborvitae Tree Fertilizer liquid, this box is much lighter. The limitation is that 9 spikes may not be enough for a full privacy hedge, and the 11-3-4 ratio gives you less nitrogen per spike than the 15-pack.
Good for Small Yards
- Pre-measured spikes — no mixing, no mess, no burning
- Slow-release formula feeds for a full season
- Lightweight box at 3.68 ounces
Consider
- Only 9 spikes — may not cover a full row of trees
- 11-3-4 ratio has less nitrogen than the 15-3-4 option
Ideal for: the gardener with 2-3 small arborvitae who wants a simple, mess-free feeding routine without buying a bulk pack.
Better options exist if: you have a long privacy hedge; the 15-pack of Jobe’s spikes gives you more spikes and a stronger nitrogen ratio for the same ease of use.
6. Espoma Organic Evergreen-Tone 4-3-4, 8 lb Bag
This organic granular builds soil health while feeding your evergreens — and is registered as an Organic Input Material for certified organic production.
This 8-pound bag of Espoma Evergreen-Tone is a rich blend of natural and organic ingredients enhanced with Espoma’s exclusive Bio-tone formula. The N-P-K ratio (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) is 4-3-4 with 5% sulfur, designed to lower soil pH so your arborvitae can access the nutrients they need. It is approved for organic gardening and registered as an Organic Input Material, meaning it meets all requirements for organic production. You use it when planting new trees or feeding established ones, and the manufacturer recommends applying twice a year in early spring and late fall. Owners mention that “I applied it to my yard just before fall and the plants thrived well into November, the following spring everything in the yard grew so much stronger.” Another reviewer calls it “the most effective fertilizer I have ever used.” It is ready to use straight from the bag — no mixing required. The trade-off is the same as with any organic granular: it works more slowly than spikes or liquid, and the 8-pound bag is smaller than the 36-pound Holly-Tone option, so if you have many trees, you will use it quickly. If you need a faster green-up than this organic provides, the Jobe’s 15-3-4 spike is the stronger choice.
Organic Foundation: If you are planting new arborvitae or want a gentle, slow-acting fertilizer that feeds the soil ecosystem, this is the cleanest choice here.
Grab this for: new transplants or if you are committed to organic gardening and want a product that is safe for organic production protocols.
Look elsewhere if: you want a fast, dramatic green-up; the spikes with higher nitrogen will show visible results much quicker.
Understanding the Specs
N-P-K Ratio
These three hyphenated numbers (for example, 15-3-4 or 4-3-4) tell you the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the fertilizer. The first number matters most for arborvitae because nitrogen drives the green foliage growth you want. A ratio like 15-3-4 gives a strong nitrogen push, while a 4-3-4 is gentler and soil-building. Always pick a formula where the first number is the highest.
Slow-Release vs. Water-Soluble
Slow-release products like spikes or some granules break down over weeks or months, feeding your tree gradually with less work from you. Water-soluble powders like Miracle-Gro dissolve instantly in water and enter the roots right away. The trade-off is convenience: spikes last up to 90 days per application, while liquid or powder requires mixing and reapplying every 7-14 days. Choose slow-release for maintenance and water-soluble for a rescue or quick boost.
FAQ
How often should I fertilize my arborvitae?
Can I use regular lawn fertilizer on my arborvitae?
What is the best N-P-K ratio for arborvitae?
Should I use spikes or granular fertilizer for arborvitae?
How many fertilizer spikes do I need per tree?
Is organic fertilizer better for arborvitae than synthetic?
Can I fertilize newly planted arborvitae?
Will fertilizer help my arborvitae grow faster?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the food for arborvitae winner is the Jobe’s 01661 Evergreen Fertilizer Spikes because the 15-3-4 ratio delivers the strongest nitrogen punch in the easiest set-and-forget format — one spike feeds for up to 90 days. If you want a fast, targeted boost for struggling trees, grab the Arborvitae Tree Fertilizer Liquid. And for covering a large property with a single organic bag, the standout is the Espoma Holly-Tone 36-pound bag.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement, and we did not hands-on test every unit. Instead, we match each pick to a real buyer and use-case by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications against the patterns in verified customer reviews — so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing copy.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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