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How to grow arborvitae faster starts with understanding their basic needs and giving them the right conditions.
Arborvitae can grow faster if you plant them correctly, water them consistently, and feed them at the right time.
If you’ve been wondering how to grow arborvitae faster, the secret isn’t just one trick but a combination of smart practices.
Many homeowners want to grow arborvitae faster to create privacy screens, windbreaks, or lush green borders quickly.
In this post, we’ll cover the best methods to grow arborvitae faster and avoid the mistakes that slow them down.
Let’s dig in.
How to Grow Arborvitae Faster By Choosing the Right Location
The first step in learning how to grow arborvitae faster is picking a spot where they’ll thrive.
Arborvitae need full sun to grow arborvitae faster, so aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
If you plant them in too much shade, you’ll struggle to grow arborvitae faster because they’ll stretch thin and become sparse.
Good soil also helps you grow arborvitae faster, and well‑draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0 works best.
When the location is ideal, you can grow arborvitae faster without fighting against poor conditions.
1. Full Sunlight Is Non‑Negotiable
To grow arborvitae faster, place them where they get morning sun and afternoon light.
Shade slows their growth and makes them leggy, so stay away from north‑facing walls or dense tree canopies.
If you want to grow arborvitae faster, avoid spots that are shaded by buildings or fences for most of the day.
2. Prepare the Soil Before Planting
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the pot.
Mix in compost or aged manure to improve drainage and nutrients, which helps you grow arborvitae faster.
Heavy clay soil should be amended with sand or organic matter so roots can spread easily.
When the soil is loose and fertile, you can grow arborvitae faster because roots establish quickly.
3. Space Plants Correctly
Crowding stunts growth because roots compete for water and nutrients.
For hedge varieties, space them 3‑4 feet apart so they have room to grow arborvitae faster upward and outward.
If you plant too close, you won’t be able to grow arborvitae faster since they’ll focus on survival instead of expansion.
How to Grow Arborvitae Faster With Watering and Feeding
Water and fertilizer are the fuel that powers growth, so use them wisely to grow arborvitae faster.
Arborvitae are shallow‑rooted, so consistent moisture is key to how to grow arborvitae faster.
Let’s break down the best watering and feeding schedule.
1. Water Deeply and Regularly
Water new arborvitae twice a week for the first two months, then once a week after that.
Deep watering encourages roots to go deeper, which helps you grow arborvitae faster and make them drought‑tolerant later.
During hot, dry spells, increase watering to every 3‑4 days to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Mulching with 2‑3 inches of wood chips or bark conserves moisture, so you can grow arborvitae faster even in summer.
2. Use the Right Fertilizer at the Right Time
Fertilize in early spring with a balanced 10‑10‑10 slow‑release formula to grow arborvitae faster.
Avoid high‑nitrogen fertilizers late in the season because they push soft growth that winter will damage.
Liquid fertilizers can be applied monthly during the growing season if you want to grow arborvitae faster.
But don’t overfeed; too much fertilizer can burn roots and actually slow growth.
3. Apply Root‑Boosting Mycorrhizae
Inoculating the root zone with mycorrhizal fungi helps roots absorb more water and nutrients.
This natural symbiosis can help you grow arborvitae faster by increasing root surface area by up to 100 times.
You can buy mycorrhizae powder and sprinkle it in the planting hole for immediate benefits.
How to Grow Arborvitae Faster by Pruning and Maintenance
Proper pruning and care keep arborvitae healthy and encourage vigorous growth.
Even when you follow all the basics, you still need to manage pests and shape the plants if you want to grow arborvitae faster.
1. Prune Lightly and Correctly
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts to grow arborvitae faster.
Only trim the green tips, never cut back into the brown, dead wood inside because that won’t regrow.
Thinning out crowded branches improves airflow and light penetration, which helps you grow arborvitae faster.
2. Control Pests Quickly
Spider mites, bagworms, and scale insects can sap energy and slow growth.
Inspect your plants regularly and treat infestations with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Healthy arborvitae bounce back quickly, so controlling pests helps you grow arborvitae faster in the long run.
3. Protect Winter Damage
Winter wind can dry out evergreen foliage and slow spring regrowth.
Wrap young arborvitae in burlap or spray with an anti‑desiccant to protect them.
When you avoid winter stress, you can grow arborvitae faster when warmer weather returns.
So, How to Grow Arborvitae Faster?
You can grow arborvitae faster by giving them full sun, well‑draining soil, consistent deep watering, and balanced spring feeding.
Prune carefully, control pests, and protect from winter wind to keep growth on track.
Remember that even with all these tips, arborvitae have a natural growth rate, so patience matters too.
But if you follow the steps above, you’ll definitely grow arborvitae faster than if you leave them to fend for themselves.
Now go out and enjoy your fast‑growing green screen.