Finding a hardy, compact evergreen that doesn’t outgrow its spot in three years is the real challenge for any landscaper. The Can Can Arborvitae, with its naturally dense, globe-shaped habit and slow growth, offers a solution that eliminates constant pruning and replacement cycles.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years analyzing horticultural market data, comparing nursery stock from major growers, and cross-referencing USDA hardiness zone performance to help gardeners make informed choices.
This guide breaks down the top-rated cultivars and live specimens that match the prized dwarf form, cold hardiness, and low-maintenance care of the best can can arborvitae, helping you select the right plant for your foundation beds or container accents.
How To Choose The Best Can Can Arborvitae
Not every plant labeled “dwarf” stays small, and not every globe arborvitae delivers the density you expect. The Can Can Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Concan’) is prized for its tight, rounded form and winter-bronze color, but finding nursery stock that matches this profile requires checking specific details beyond the tag.
Verify the Mature Height and Spread
The defining trait of a true dwarf globe arborvitae is a mature size in the 2-to-4-foot range, not 10 feet. Many sellers list “slow growing” but the final dimensions will determine whether the plant overwhelms your window box or foundation corner. Look for a spread-to-height ratio near 1:1 — a true globe stays as wide as it is tall.
Check the USDA Hardiness Zone Match
The Can Can Arborvitae thrives in zones 3 through 7. If your region dips below zone 3 or sits in zone 8 with high humidity, the plant may struggle with winter burn or root rot. Always confirm the listed zone range on the product specifications — some “Arborvitae” varieties are zoned for warmer climates and will suffer in northern winters.
Assess Pot Size vs. Plant Maturity
A plant labeled as a 2-gallon container should have a root system filling that volume — not just a quart-size plant dropped into a larger pot. Customer reviews frequently highlight this discrepancy. For a true dwarf globe that’s already showing its characteristic shape, a 2-gallon or larger container usually indicates 3+ years of nursery growth, meaning less waiting for your landscape to look full.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proven Winners Anna’s Magic Ball | Live Shrub | Compact globe shape with gold tips | Mature 2-3 ft H x 3-4 ft W | Amazon |
| Green Promise Farms Fire Chief | Live Shrub | Orange-red fall color on globe form | Mature 3-4 ft H x 3-4 ft W | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green | Live Shrub | Tall privacy hedge in narrow spaces | Mature 14 ft H x 4 ft W | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 18-Pack | Live Liners | Fast privacy screen / windbreak | Mature 60 ft H x 20 ft W | Amazon |
| GYERB 48″ Artificial Boston Fern | Faux Plant | Zero-maintenance porch greenery | 47-inch diameter, 88 branches | Amazon |
| FOREST PRINCE 50″ Artificial Fern | Faux Plant | Large hanging basket filler | 50-inch spread, 96 fronds | Amazon |
| Vitalismo Artificial Cedar Topiary | Faux Plant | Entry door or porch accent pair | 3 ft tall, concrete pot base | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Proven Winners 2 Gal. Anna’s Magic Ball Arborvitae Shrub
This cultivar is the closest match to the ideal Can Can Arborvitae form — a naturally round, slow-growing shrub that reaches only 2 to 3 feet tall with a 3- to 4-foot spread. The yellow-tipped foliage on a Thuja occidentalis base provides season-long interest without any shearing, making it ideal for foundation plantings or container accent pieces.
Hardy from zone 3a through 8b, this Proven Winners selection ships as a rooted 2-gallon specimen. The organic material in the pot holds moisture well during transport, and the compact branching structure means the globe shape is already visible on arrival. It thrives in full sun to partial shade with regular watering during the first growing season.
Several verified buyers noted the plant arrived fresh and vibrant, though a minority reported the root mass was smaller than expected for a 2-gallon container — a common inconsistency in mail-order nursery stock. For a true dwarf globe arborvitae that stays restrained without pruning, this is the most reliable live option on the list.
What works
- True dwarf mature size — stays under 3 feet tall
- Soft gold-tipped foliage adds color contrast
- Broad zone range 3a-8b for cold hardiness
What doesn’t
- Some shipments arrive with smaller root mass than advertised 2-gallon size
- Yellow color may fade in deep shade conditions
2. Green Promise Farms Fire Chief Globe Arborvitae #2
The Fire Chief Globe Arborvitae offers a rare color shift for the dwarf globe category: new spring growth emerges golden-yellow, transitions to green, then matures to an orange-red in autumn. This is a Thuja occidentalis selection that stays naturally rounded at 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, requiring zero pruning to maintain its shape.
Shipped in a #2 gallon container from a dedicated nursery, this plant is fully rooted and ready for immediate outdoor planting in zones 4 through 8. The very slow growth rate — a key trait shared with the Can Can Arborvitae — means it won’t outgrow a foundation corner for a decade. It performs best in full to partial sun with well-drained, organically enriched soil.
Buyers consistently praised the plant’s health on arrival and the compact root system. The primary drawback is the restricted ship zone — it cannot be sent to AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, PR, or UT. If you’re within the eligible zones and want a dwarf globe with vivid fall color, this is a premium pick.
What works
- Three-season color progression from gold to green to orange-red
- Naturally dense globe shape — no shearing needed
- Extremely slow-growing for long-term landscape stability
What doesn’t
- Cannot ship to 9 western states including CA and AZ
- Fall color intensity depends on full sun exposure
3. Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae 3 Gal.
While not a dwarf globe like the Can Can Arborvitae, the Emerald Green Arborvitae is the go-to choice for homeowners who need a narrow, columnar privacy screen. This cultivar reaches 14 feet tall and only 4 feet wide, maintaining a tight, upright habit that fits into tight side-yard spaces where a spreading dwarf globe would not work.
Shipped in a 3-gallon grower’s pot from a Florida-based nursery, this plant is cold hardy in zones 2 through 7 and maintains its rich green color through winter without browning. It is deer-resistant, drought-tolerant once established, and requires minimal upkeep — just consistent watering during the first season to develop a strong root system.
Customer feedback highlights well-packaged, healthy plants that arrive larger than expected, with some measuring nearly 2 feet tall on delivery. One buyer reported receiving only fertilizer instead of the plant — a rare fulfillment error. If your goal is a fast-growing privacy hedge rather than a compact accent, this mid-range specimen delivers robust performance.
What works
- Narrow columnar form — only 4 feet wide at maturity
- Stays green through winter without browning
- Deer resistant and drought tolerant once established
What doesn’t
- Reaches 14 feet — not suitable for foundation or container use
- Occasional fulfillment complaints from the nursery shipper
4. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 18-Pack Liners
For massive coverage at a budget-friendly per-plant cost, the Thuja Green Giant 18-pack provides 18 individual liners in a single box. This is a completely different category from the dwarf globe arborvitae — these plants will reach 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide at maturity — but for a windbreak or property-line screen, nothing beats the growth rate per dollar.
Each liner ships with a well-established root system in a tray insert, and customers report receiving plants between 12 and 15 inches tall in excellent condition. The Thuja Green Giant thrives in zones 5 through 9 with full sun and once established, requires little to no maintenance. The dense, dark green foliage smells like Christmas tree needles when crushed.
The biggest limitation is geographic: this 18-pack cannot ship to California or Arizona, and restricted states will be requested to cancel. A small percentage of buyers reported one or two dead seedlings out of 18, and younger liners without bamboo stakes tend to shed soil during shipping. If you need a full privacy screen and have the space, this is the most economical live-plant solution.
What works
- 18 well-rooted liners for bulk privacy planting
- Fast growth rate reaches 3-5 ft per year once established
- Excellent packaging — plants arrive larger than expected
What doesn’t
- Cannot ship to CA or AZ
- Some mortality or soil loss on younger liners during transit
5. GYERB 48″ Large Artificial Boston Fern
If you want the lush, full look of a dwarf evergreen without watering, pruning, or worrying about winter burn, this 48-inch artificial Boston fern delivers instant greenery. The 88 silk-like branches spread to 47 inches in diameter, creating a dense, tropical silhouette that works in hanging baskets, tall planters, or window boxes. The UV-resistant plastic construction prevents fading in direct sun.
Unlike a live arborvitae that requires specific soil pH and consistent moisture, this faux fern needs only occasional dusting and manual fluffing to maintain its shape. Customers note that the branches are flexible and hold their position after bending, though the leaves can appear slightly shiny under direct fluorescent light — a minor trade-off for zero-maintenance greenery.
A few buyers wished the stems came as individual stalks rather than a single central stake, as arranging for a natural look takes a bit more effort. Still, for porch or patio decoration where a Can Can Arborvitae would struggle with shade or heat, this is the most convincing artificial alternative in this price range.
What works
- Realistic texture and deep green color from sidewalk distance
- UV-resistant for outdoor use without fading
- Large 47-inch diameter provides instant fullness
What doesn’t
- Leaves appear slightly shiny under direct light
- Single central stake limits arrangement flexibility
6. FOREST PRINCE 50″ Artificial Boston Fern
This 50-inch artificial Boston fern packs 96 individual fronds into a single bundle, making it one of the fullest fake ferns available for outdoor use. The silk and plastic construction is washable and UV-resistant, so it stays green through full-sun summers without the leaf scorch that kills real ferns. It arrives compressed in a box and requires manual shaping — twisting the bundles and bending individual leaves — to achieve the natural cascade.
Buyers consistently rate this fern 5 stars for its realistic appearance once fluffed. The deep green color and varied leaf sizes make it difficult to distinguish from a real fern at a few feet away. A weighted pot with styrofoam and rocks is recommended to prevent the top-heavy arrangement from tipping in wind.
The primary complaint is that the fake “new growth” tips look obviously plastic and require cutting off for a more authentic look. Also, without a heavy base, the fern can become tangled in outdoor breezes. For a hanging basket or window box where a dwarf arborvitae would not fit, this artificial option provides instant, full-season volume.
What works
- 96 fronds create maximum fullness — best in class for volume
- Washable and UV-resistant for year-round outdoor use
- Highly realistic once fluffed and shaped manually
What doesn’t
- Fake new growth tips look plastic — needs trimming
- Requires weighted base to prevent tipping in wind
7. Vitalismo Outdoor Artificial Cedar Topiary Tree (2, 3ft)
This pair of 3-foot artificial cedar topiaries mimics the pyramidal shape of a dwarf evergreen shrub and comes with a heavy concrete pot that prevents tipping — a critical feature for windy porches where live arborvitae in plastic pots would blow over. The PE plastic foliage is odor-free, UV-resistant, and holds its color through multiple seasons without fading.
Assembly is minimal: attach the trunk to the pot, then manually arrange the branches to achieve a full, natural silhouette. The trunk features realistic bark texture, and the leaf tips include delicate bud-like details that mimic the new growth on a real cedar. Customers praise the weight of the base, which works well inside larger decorative urns for a custom look.
Some buyers noted that the tree is not as full as expected straight out of the box — it requires significant fluffing to hide the interior structure. The main drawback is a strong plastic smell that lingers, making indoor placement less pleasant. For a symmetrical, low-maintenance entryway accent that looks real from a distance, these topiaries are the best artificial alternative to a live dwarf arborvitae.
What works
- Heavy concrete pot prevents tipping in high wind
- UV-resistant PE material holds color outdoors
- Realistic trunk texture with bud-tip detail
What doesn’t
- Strong plastic smell — better suited for outdoor use only
- Needs significant manual fluffing to look full
Hardware & Specs Guide
Mature Size and Growth Rate
True dwarf globe arborvitae like the Can Can variety reach a mature height of 2 to 4 feet with an equal spread. Growth is slow — typically 3 to 6 inches per year — meaning the plant holds its intended shape for decades without outgrowing its position. Always check the listed mature dimensions rather than the pot size to avoid surprises; a plant marketed as “dwarf” that reaches 14 feet is not suitable for foundation or container use.
USDA Hardiness Zone and Sunlight
The Can Can Arborvitae thrives in zones 3 through 7 and requires full sun to partial shade for best density and color. Full sun (6+ hours daily) produces the tightest branching and richest green foliage, while partial shade may result in looser growth and less vibrant color. Always match the plant’s zone range to your region — forcing a zone 5 plant into zone 8 heat often leads to root rot and needle drop.
FAQ
What is the actual mature size of a Can Can Arborvitae?
How do I tell the difference between a true dwarf globe and a standard arborvitae at a nursery?
Can I grow a Can Can Arborvitae in a container on my patio?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best can can arborvitae winner is the Proven Winners Anna’s Magic Ball Arborvitae because it delivers the exact dwarf globe shape, gold-tipped foliage, and broad zone hardiness that the cultivar is known for. If you want seasonal color change on a globe form, grab the Green Promise Farms Fire Chief Globe Arborvitae. And for a zero-maintenance artificial alternative that works on a windy porch, nothing beats the Vitalismo Artificial Cedar Topiary pair.