How Fast Does Arborvitae Grow?
Growth rate is one of the first questions people ask when shopping for arborvitae — and for good reason. If you’re planting for privacy, you want to know how long you’ll be waiting. The answer depends heavily on which variety you choose.
Here’s the short version:
| Variety | Annual Growth | Mature Height | Years to 10 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Giant | 3–5 ft/year | 20–40 ft | 2–3 years |
| Emerald Green | 6–9 in/year | 10–15 ft | 13–20 years |
| Elegantissima | 12–18 in/year | 12–15 ft | 7–10 years |
| Golden Globe | 2–4 in/year | 3–5 ft | Never (max 5 ft) |
Green Giant Arborvitae Growth Rate
Green Giant is the fastest-growing arborvitae available — and one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees period. Under good conditions (full sun, adequate water, decent soil), it puts on 3–5 feet of new growth per year.
Green Giant year-by-year growth timeline:
| Year | Expected Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planting year | 3–5 ft (at planting) | Establishment year — minimal top growth, roots spreading |
| Year 2 | 5–8 ft | First real growth flush, 2–3 ft added |
| Year 3 | 8–12 ft | Branches starting to touch at 5–6 ft spacing |
| Year 4 | 11–16 ft | Solid privacy screen established |
| Year 5 | 14–20 ft | Full screening height for most applications |
| Year 10 | 25–35 ft | Mature, dominant presence in the landscape |
What affects Green Giant growth rate:
- Sun: Full sun (6+ hours) produces the fastest growth. Partial shade slows it by 30–50%.
- Water: Consistent moisture in years 1–2 is critical. Drought stress in the first season can set growth back by a full year.
- Soil: Tolerates clay and wet conditions better than most evergreens. Grows fastest in well-drained loam.
- Zone: Fastest growth in Zones 6–7. Slightly slower in Zone 5.
Shop Green Giant Arborvitae → Green Giant Full Growing Guide →
Emerald Green Arborvitae Growth Rate
Emerald Green is a slow grower — 6–9 inches per year on average. That sounds like a downside, but it’s actually one of its strengths: slow growth means it stays tidy, holds its shape without shearing, and requires almost no maintenance once established.
Emerald Green year-by-year growth timeline:
| Year | Expected Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planting year | 2–4 ft (at planting) | Establishment year, minimal top growth |
| Year 2 | 3–5 ft | First growth flush, 6–9 inches added |
| Year 3 | 4–6 ft | Starting to provide low screening |
| Year 5 | 5–8 ft | Solid low hedge, good privacy at fence height |
| Year 10 | 8–11 ft | Substantial privacy screen |
| Year 15+ | 10–15 ft | Full mature height |
✅ The trade-off is worth it: Emerald Green’s slow growth means you plant it once and it stays exactly where you want it for decades. No aggressive pruning, no outgrowing its space, no fighting it back from fences or structures.
Shop Emerald Green Arborvitae → Emerald Green Full Growing Guide →
Elegantissima Arborvitae Growth Rate
Elegantissima falls in the middle — 12–18 inches per year. Faster than Emerald Green, slower than Green Giant. It reaches privacy height (8–10 ft) in about 6–8 years, making it a solid choice when you want a mid-size screen without waiting two decades.
Elegantissima year-by-year growth timeline:
| Year | Expected Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planting year | 2–4 ft (at planting) | Establishment, roots spreading |
| Year 2 | 3–5 ft | 12–18 inches of new growth |
| Year 4 | 5–8 ft | Low screening established |
| Year 6 | 7–10 ft | Solid privacy at most fence heights |
| Year 10 | 10–13 ft | Near mature height, full screening |
Shop Elegantissima Arborvitae → Elegantissima Full Growing Guide →
Golden Globe Arborvitae Growth Rate
Golden Globe is a dwarf variety — it grows just 2–4 inches per year and maxes out at 3–5 feet tall and wide. It’s not a privacy screen plant; it’s a landscape accent, border anchor, or low hedge that stays exactly where you put it with zero pruning.
💡 Pro tip: Pair Golden Globe in front of a row of Green Giant or Emerald Green for a layered planting — the globes handle the low border while the tall arborvitae provide the upper privacy screen.
Shop Golden Globe Arborvitae → Golden Globe Full Growing Guide →
What Makes Arborvitae Grow Faster?
Regardless of variety, these factors have the biggest impact on growth rate:
- Sun exposure: Full sun (6+ hours) is the single biggest driver of fast growth. Every hour of shade you add slows growth noticeably.
- Watering in year 1: Consistent moisture during the first growing season is critical. Trees that get drought-stressed in year 1 often take 2–3 years to recover their growth momentum.
- Mulch: A 2–3 inch ring of wood chip mulch retains moisture, moderates soil temperature, and reduces competition from grass and weeds. It’s one of the highest-ROI things you can do after planting.
- Fertilizing in year 2+: A balanced slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10) applied in early spring starting in year 2 gives a meaningful growth boost. Don’t fertilize at planting — it burns new roots.
- Correct planting depth: Trees planted too deep grow slowly and decline. The root flare should be at or slightly above grade.
Full Arborvitae Planting Guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does Green Giant arborvitae grow per year?
Green Giant grows 3–5 feet per year under good conditions — full sun, adequate water, and decent soil. It’s one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees available and will create a solid privacy screen within 2–3 years when planted at 5–6 foot spacing.
How long does it take arborvitae to reach 6 feet?
Green Giant reaches 6 feet in about 1–2 years from a 3–4 foot transplant. Elegantissima takes about 3–4 years. Emerald Green takes 5–7 years from a small transplant.
Does arborvitae grow faster in sun or shade?
Full sun always produces faster growth. Arborvitae will grow in partial shade but expect 30–50% slower growth and less dense foliage. Deep shade produces very slow, open growth that won’t make a good privacy screen.
Why is my arborvitae growing so slowly?
The most common causes are: planted too deep (root flare buried), drought stress in the first season, too much shade, or compacted soil limiting root spread. Check planting depth first — it’s the most overlooked issue.
Can I speed up arborvitae growth?
Yes — full sun, consistent watering in year 1, mulching, and fertilizing starting in year 2 all meaningfully increase growth rate. Choosing Green Giant over Emerald Green is the single biggest lever if speed is your priority.
Shop Arborvitae at Weaver Family Farms
All four varieties are grown right here at our nursery and shipped ready to plant.
Green Giant → Emerald Green → Elegantissima → Golden Globe →
More Arborvitae Resources
Best Arborvitae for Privacy Screens → Arborvitae Spacing Guide → Which Arborvitae Should I Plant? → Why Is My Arborvitae Turning Brown? →
About the Author
Dax Weaver is the owner of Weaver Family Farms Nursery, a family-run nursery specializing in fruit trees, berry plants, and privacy evergreens shipped directly to homeowners across the US. Dax has spent years growing and studying the plants he sells, with a focus on helping customers choose the right variety for their specific site, zone, and goals. When he’s not in the nursery, he’s writing practical growing guides based on real-world experience — not just what the textbooks say.
