Looking for an efficient, low-maintenance privacy screen? These thuja trees, commonly known as arborvitae, grow densely to block views and reduce wind. They’re suited for homeowners wanting quick screening, windbreaks, or a green backdrop for landscaping. The top picks below are selected for rapid growth, evergreen foliage, and ease of care. Ideal buyers include new landscapers seeking instant privacy, homeowners planting for a long-term hedge, and those in need of a reliable drought- or cold-tolerant option. See the quick table for a snapshot of each product.
| Product | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft. Tall 8-Pack | Instant privacy, dense small cluster | 2 ft tall starter plants; adaptable to prune to size |
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 7-10 Inches Tall Trees | Budget-friendly starter for rapid planting | Shipped potted; very hardy; grows about 3 ft per year |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Plant 18-Pack | Large privacy screen quickly | 18 liners; good for instant dense coverage |
| KVITER 50 Thuja Tree Seeds | Grow-your-own privacy from seed | Fast germination; zone 3–7; adaptable to soil |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1 Gallon 8-Pack | Moderate, scalable privacy | 1 gallon size; classic evergreen growth |
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft. Tall 8-Pack
The Thuja Green Giant is recognized as a premier, fast-growing privacy tree for much of the United States. This large evergreen features dense, dark green foliage that has a Christmas-tree scent when broken. It grows in a wide, pyramidal shape and can reach up to 60 ft tall and 20 ft wide. It can be pruned to maintain a preferred size. Best for buyers seeking quick, tall screening and a classic evergreen look.
Best for: large yards needing fast, tall privacy that can be shaped over time. Limitations: ultimate height is substantial; be mindful of spacing and mature size if planting in smaller spaces.
10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 7-10 Inches Tall Trees
These small, 7-10 inch tall trees are shipped potted and ready to grow, offering fast early coverage. They’re known for rapid growth—about 3 ft per year—and hardy resilience across zones 5–9. Best for budget-conscious buyers who want to start a privacy screen quickly while spacing larger plantings over time. Caution: very small plants require careful initial watering and protection from frost in colder springs.
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Plant 18-Pack
This 18-pack brings an instant, lush privacy screen or windbreak in a single order. The foliage is dense and dark green, exuding a Christmas-tree scent when crushed. It’s ideal for creating a dense backdrop quickly without the guesswork of multiple smaller purchases. Best for rapid, large-scale screening. Limitation: order may not ship to certain states (CA or AZ) due to shipping restrictions.
KVITER 50 Thuja Tree Seeds (Arborvitae)
These American Arborvitae seeds offer a seed-started approach to privacy landscaping. They’re advertised for fast germination within 10–15 days at 65°F+ and thrive in USDA zones 3–7. Best for hands-on gardeners who want to grow their privacy screen from seed and customize spacing from the outset. Limitation: seed growth is variable and requires longer time to reach mature screening compared to nursery-bought liners.
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1 Gallon 5-Pack
The 1-gallon Green Giant plants provide a balanced option for readers seeking steady growth with scalable privacy. They maintain a pyramidal form and dense foliage, suitable for both new hedge lines and larger landscape projects. Best for buyers who want a mid-sized starter that can mature into a tall privacy screen with proper spacing. Limitation: mature height should be considered to avoid over-planting in tight spaces.
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1 Gallon 8-Pack
This 8-pack furnishes a compact-to-medium-scale privacy solution with the same durable evergreen characteristics. Best for buyers who want reliable year-round screening without the need for extremely tall specimens initially. Caution: space planning remains essential to ensure proper growth and avoid crowding as they mature.
Buying Guide
Key considerations when choosing thuja trees for privacy include climate suitability, mature size, and growth rate. The Green Giant varieties are prized for rapid establishment and dense foliage, which makes them especially effective as windbreaks and visual barriers. Consider spacing: a mature spread of up to 20 ft for large cultivars means you’ll need ample room. Soil type, sun exposure, and irrigation should align with each plant’s needs to maintain dense, healthy foliage.
Frequently asked questions cover topics such as how fast thuja grow, ideal planting times, and best practices for pruning. If you want a quick privacy screen, liners or larger early-stage plants deliver faster results, while seeds offer cost savings but require more time and care to establish.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How fast do thuja trees grow?
Growth rates vary by variety and conditions. Arborvitae like Green Giant can grow several feet per year under optimal conditions.
- What spacing is best for a privacy screen?
Spacing depends on the mature width. Plan for enough room for each plant to reach full size without crowding.
- Can thuja tolerate cold climates?
Many varieties tolerate a wide range of climates, with some suited to zones 3–7 or 5–9 depending on the cultivar.
- Is pruning necessary?
Pruning helps maintain desired shape and size and can improve density, especially for plants started smaller.
- Are seeds a good option for privacy?
Seeds are cost-effective but require more time and care to reach a screening height compared to nursery plants.
- Do thuja produce fragrance?
Foliage can emit a Christmas-tree-like scent when the leaves are broken or crushed.