How fast does it grow?

It is a relatively fast grower, often adding 60 cm or more per year in good conditions.

Can I keep it in a pot?

It is not well suited for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Plant guide

Western Red Cedar.

Thuja plicata

Pronounced THOO-yuh ply-KAY-tuh

Also known as Canoe Cedar, Giant Arbor-vitae, Giant Cedar, Pacific Red-cedar, Pacific redcedar, Shinglewood, Western Red-Cedar, canoe-cedar

Thuja plicata — Photo by Dominique Menard (CC BY) via gbif

The Western Red Cedar is a majestic evergreen conifer native to the Pacific Northwest. It is highly valued for its aromatic wood and graceful, drooping branches. This tree thrives in cool, moist environments and serves as a foundational species in its natural habitat.

Another photo of Western Red Cedar — Photo by yaardvark (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen conifer
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: Up to 60 meters tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 8
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and provide protection from harsh, drying winds. Watch for browning needles, which often indicate insufficient moisture or poor air circulation. Ensure the tree has plenty of space to reach its impressive mature size.

Watering: Keep the root zone consistently damp but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support growth.
Pruning: Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches in late winter.
Repotting: Repot only if necessary for container grown specimens.
Soil: Rich, moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -29 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Long lived, often exceeding 500 years in the wild.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite regular watering.

Safety

People: The foliage contains thujone, which can cause irritation or illness if consumed.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep children away from the foliage as ingestion can cause stomach upset.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be a mild respiratory allergen for some people during the spring.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

How to identify it

Scale like, glossy green leaves
Drooping, fan shaped branch sprays
Small, woody, egg shaped cones
Fibrous, reddish brown peeling bark

Height: 15 to 60m
Spread: 4.5 to 7.5m
Leaves: dark green, glossy green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, brown, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Cedar Leaf BlightCommon
Spider MitesCommon
BagwormsUncommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon
PhytophthoraUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Twig BlightUncommon
Bark BeetlesRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Ensure the soil remains moist before the ground freezes. A layer of mulch helps protect the roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It is generally not suitable for containers due to its eventual size and need for deep root space.

Cuttings

Take 10 cm cuttings from healthy side shoots in late summer.
Remove the lower needles and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a well draining potting mix and keep in a humid, bright location.
Keep the soil consistently moist until roots develop.

Plant in groups to create a microclimate that retains humidity and protects against harsh winds.

Grows well with

Western Hemlock · They naturally occur together in the same forest ecosystems.
Sword Fern · It thrives in the moist, shaded conditions beneath the canopy.

Similar species

Atlantic White Cedar · It shares a similar evergreen habit but is native to the eastern coast.
Leyland Cypress · It is often used as a faster growing alternative for privacy screens.

Science

Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Thuja
Order: Pinales
Class: Pinopsida
Native range: Western North America, from Alaska to Northern California.
Conservation: This species is not currently threatened and is widely managed for sustainable timber production.

It thrives in moist, cool environments and often dominates old growth forests in its native range.

Value to wildlife: provides dense nesting cover, winter shelter for birds
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: privacy screening, windbreak, ornamental specimen, timber

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 5/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Salinity: 1/9
Light: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?: It is a relatively fast grower, often adding 60 cm or more per year in good conditions.
Can I keep it in a pot?: It is not well suited for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Where the name comes from

The name Thuja comes from the Greek word for a fragrant wood, while plicata refers to the folded appearance of the leaves.

Good to know

It is often called the tree of life by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.
The wood is exceptionally lightweight and aromatic.
It can live for over 1,000 years in ideal conditions.
The foliage has a distinct, pleasant pineapple-like scent when crushed.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.