Little Giant Arborvitae Plant – Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ (Dwarf Globe Evergreen, Live Starter Shrub)

The Little Giant Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’) is a dwarf form of the native Eastern arborvitae. It is a tidy little globe of rich green evergreen foliage that earns its keep in any landscape. Its dense, soft, scale-like sprays hold a deep green color all year, right through winter, and it grows slowly into a naturally rounded shape, reaching about 2 to 4 feet tall and wide. As a result, with almost no pruning required, the Little Giant Arborvitae is a go-to for foundation plantings, low hedges, and neat evergreen accents.

Why Grow a Little Giant Arborvitae?

• Tidy globe shape – forms a naturally round, compact ball of foliage with little to no trimming.
• Rich year-round green – holds its deep green color through winter without the bronzing many evergreens show.
• Compact & slow-growing – stays small (about 2–4 feet), so it will not outgrow tight spots, foundations, or containers.
• Very cold-hardy & adaptable – also thrives all the way down to zone 3, tolerates a wide range of soils (even damp ones), and is salt-tolerant.
• Low-maintenance structure – dense, fine-textured evergreen form that anchors beds and borders year-round.

Looking for more compact evergreens? Browse our Shrubs & Bushes and Outdoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

• Botanical name: Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ (a dwarf globe selection of Eastern/American arborvitae, also called eastern white cedar)
• Plant type: Compact, slow-growing, globe-shaped evergreen shrub
• Plant family: Cupressaceae (the cypress family)
• Mature size: a slow grower to about 2–4 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide
• Foliage: Rich green, soft, scale-like sprays; evergreen and color-holding through winter
• Notable traits: Very cold-hardy, salt-tolerant, soil-adaptable, low-maintenance
• Cold Hardiness Zones: 3–8

Little Giant Arborvitae Care & Growing Guide

The Little Giant Arborvitae is easy and adaptable. Follow these simple guidelines:

• Sunlight: Full sun is best, though it also tolerates a little shade. Generally, plenty of sun keeps it dense and richly colored.
• Water: Water weekly during the first year to establish a strong root system. Once mature, water occasionally. However, it prefers consistent moisture, so do not let it dry out for long stretches.
• Soil: Prefers deep, well-drained soil, though it adapts to a wide range of soils, including damp ones. In addition, it is not fussy about pH.
• Cold Hardiness Zone: 3–8.
• Pruning: It holds its round shape on its own, so pruning is rarely needed. Shear lightly in spring only if you want to tidy the shape.

Ways to Use Little Giant Arborvitae in the Landscape

This compact globe anchors small spaces and borders. Popular uses for the Little Giant Arborvitae include:

• Foundation plantings and entryway framing
• Also low evergreen hedges and edging
• Front-of-border accents and mass plantings
• Similarly, rock gardens and small-space gardens
• Containers and patio pots

It pairs well with taller and spreading evergreens for layered structure. For example, gardeners often combine it with the columnar Skyrocket Juniper, the spreading Parsoni Juniper, or the upright Podocarpus Macrophyllus.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Little Giant Arborvitae starter plants, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. Each plant is less than 12 inches tall when we ship it. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. That way, you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your preferred bundle size using the options above.

Ordering, Shipping & Returns

Every order ships free and is insured against loss or damage in transit. For full details on how we pack and send your plants, processing and delivery times, and what to do in the rare case of a problem, please review our Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions before purchasing. By placing an order, you agree to those terms.

Little Giant Arborvitae FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

Hardiness, Buying & Shipping Questions