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You want a Smaragd Emerald Green Arborvitae for fast privacy, but the real question is how much watering you can handle while it settles in. The six picks here range from a single established 3-gallon plant to a seven-pack of 2.5-inch starters, so your choice depends on your patience and your planting plan.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
The honest breakdown of the top smaragd emerald green arborvitae options shows which ones arrive healthy, which stay green, and which to skip if you want instant screening.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Smaragd Emerald Green Arborvitae
Every arborvitae on this list is the same species, Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’, so your decision is really about the size you receive and the environment you can provide. A tiny starter in a 2.5-inch pot costs less but needs a full season to establish, while a 3-gallon plant gives you a head start on screening.
Match the mature size to your space
These trees are columnar by nature, but “columnar” still spans a wide range. Some listings promise a mature height of 14 feet, others reach 18 to 20 feet, and the width can spread from 3 to 6 feet. Measure your planting strip before you order so you know whether you are planning for a narrow hedge or a tall screen.
Check your hardiness zone before you buy
Most of these arborvitae thrive in zones 3 through 8, but one listing is rated for zones 2 through 7. If you live in a colder northern region, that zone 2 rating gives you extra confidence for winter survival.
Decide how much watering you can commit to
Young transplants need regular moisture while their roots establish. A larger pot with more soil holds water longer, which is a real advantage for a first-time gardener who might miss a weekend watering.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Delivered Size | Mature Height | Mature Width | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Promise Farms #3★ Best Overall | Best Overall | 3-Gallon Pot | 18-20 ft | 5-6 ft | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants 1 GallonBudget-Friendly Hedge | Budget-Friendly Hedge | 1-Gallon Pot | 14 ft | 4 ft | Amazon |
| New Life Nursery Trade Gallon | Compact Accent | Trade Gallon Pot | 10-15 ft | 3-4 ft | Amazon |
| Daylily Nursery 7-Pack | Best Value Starters | 2.5-inch Pots (7) | 8-12 ft | 3-4 ft | Amazon |
| DAS Farms 1-2 ft | Back Fence Fill | 1-2 ft Tall | 15 ft | — | Amazon |
| Brighter Blooms 3-4 ft | Premium Sized | 3-4 ft Tall | 15 ft | — | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Green Promise Farms Thuja occidentalis ‘Smargd’ #3
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 150+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The crowd favorite that shows up fuller and healthier than the photos suggest, ready to plant the day it lands.
Buyers report this 3-gallon plant arrives with rich emerald green foliage and a full shape, with several noting it looked like it had been growing for years. The quality is what wins people over — the most-cited praise by a wide margin — and the lush green color comes close behind.
This is the tallest-reaching pick on the list, with a mature size of 18 to 20 feet tall and a 5 to 6 foot spread. That means you need more horizontal room than the tighter 3 to 4 foot varieties, so plan your spacing accordingly for a hedge that will not crowd itself.
It ships in a #3 size, 3-gallon container, which gives the roots a real head start over the smaller starter pots. The trade-off is a heavier box at 12 pounds, but the root mass is exactly why this one establishes so reliably.
compact dense hedge
- Bigger root ball means faster establishment
- Mature height of 18-20 ft for tall screening
- Healthy arrival is the consistent owner experience
needs regular watering
- Needs 5-6 ft of width, more than compact varieties
- An occasional plant arrived slightly dry and needed time to green back up
quick privacy: you want the most reliable establishment and a tall screen up to 20 feet from a single solid plant.
tight budgets: your planting strip is narrow, because this one spreads a full 5 to 6 feet wide.
2. Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae, 1 Gallon
The cold-hardy hedge that stays vivid green through winter and asks for very little once it settles in.
This one grows to a mature 14 feet tall and just 4 feet wide, giving you a tidy columnar form that works along a fence line without swallowing the yard. It thrives in hardiness zones 2 through 7, the widest cold tolerance in this lineup, so northern gardeners get extra winter confidence.
Owners describe the tree arriving fresh and well-packaged, with one noting it came in taller than expected at over 2 feet. The low-maintenance promise after establishment is a recurring theme, backed by its compact, deer resistant, and drought tolerant traits.
At a 1-gallon size it is a young plant, so the first season will require regular watering. The reward is a fast-growing hedge that fills in with minimal upkeep once the roots take hold.
cold hardy starter: this is the only pick rated down to zone 2, so it shrugs off harsher winters than the rest.
north gardens: a budget-minded hedge in a colder zone where other arborvitae struggle.
instant screen: it arrives small in a 1-gallon pot, so do not expect instant screening in year one.
3. New Life Nursery Emerald Green Arborvitae, Trade Gallon
A tight, pyramidal accent tree that tops out at a manageable 15 feet and shrugs off extreme cold.
This arborvitae stays compact with a mature spread of just 3 to 4 feet, making it the narrowest option here and ideal for lining a driveway or tucking into foundation beds. The deep green, soft foliage forms a dense pyramid that needs no shearing to keep its shape.
It is noted to be cold hardy to at least -40 F, which is a serious spec for gardeners in the northern plains. The trade-off is size at delivery — owners mention the trade gallon pot arrives on the small side for the price, so this is a plant you grow out rather than one that screens immediately.
One owner noted the (Thuja) in the name caused confusion with a different variety, so read the full ‘Smaragd’ description carefully before ordering. When spaced 2 to 3 feet apart it forms an excellent screen or windbreak.
patient planters: tight spaces and extreme cold, where a narrow, hardy accent tree fits without dominating.
immediate results: the small trade-gallon size means this one needs a few growing seasons to earn its place.
4. Daylily Nursery 7 Emerald Green Arborvitae, 2.5 Inch Pots
Seven healthy starters for the price of one big tree, built for patient gardeners who want a full hedge on a budget.
This seven-pack gives you the most plants per order, each one a small starter in a 2.5-inch pot that stops growing at a perfect 8 to 12 feet tall. Customers note receiving all seven healthy and green, with repeat orders a common theme — one owner came back for 42 plants after the first batch thrived.
Each plant arrives attached to a reusable bamboo stake, a thoughtful touch that keeps the saplings straight during transit. The seller includes a growing guide, and owners praise the proactive planting tips for tricky regions like Utah.
The catch is patience: these are small starter plants, so your hedge will take several years to fill in. Full sun and good drought tolerance once established make them tough, but the first season demands consistent moisture.
bulk planting: you want maximum coverage per dollar and are happy to nurture a row of young trees to maturity.
single specimens: you need screening this year, because these 2.5-inch starters have a long grow-out ahead of them.
5. DAS Farms Emerald Arborvitae, 1 to 2 Feet Tall
A well-cared-for sapling that arrives double-boxed and ready to jump once it hits your soil.
This one ships 1 to 2 feet tall in a gallon pot, double boxed for safe transport, and buyers consistently describe the trees as healthy, well-packaged, and easy to unpack. One California owner was skeptical about survival but reports the trees grew to twice their size and are doing fine.
The mature height reaches 15 feet, and the seller stands behind the transplant with a 30-day success pledge if you follow the included planting instructions. It is deer resistant, a meaningful trait if your yard borders woodland.
Note that this plant is meant for the ground only — the listing is explicit about not transplanting it into another container. The 6-pound weight reflects a younger, lighter plant than the 3-gallon pick above.
windbreak rows: back fence lines where you want a solid, healthy start at a reasonable delivered size.
container ease: ground planting only, so plan your permanent spot before it arrives.
6. Brighter Blooms Emerald Green Arborvitae, 3-4 ft
The biggest head start on the list, with a 3 to 4 foot tree that gives you near-instant screening power.
This is the largest plant you can get delivered, arriving 3 to 4 feet tall and ready to act as a medium-sized privacy screen right away. The quality earns the most owner praise, and the upright, trim appearance needs no pruning to stay neat.
The value here is the size you skip — the grow-out years that smaller plants demand. But the honest tension is the cost per inch, with several owners noting the same size tree costs less at a big-box garden center, and a recurring complaint about trees arriving smaller than expected or turning brown.
The seller backs every plant with a warranty that covers true-to-type and healthy condition. Just be aware of the shipping restrictions: this one cannot be sent to AK, AZ, HI, or OR.
instant height impact
- Largest delivered size for instant screening
- No pruning needed to keep its columnar form
- Covered by a plant warranty
premium price tag
- Premium cost for the size compared to local garden centers
- Some reviewers point out browning or smaller-than-expected plants
established look: you value skipping two to three years of waiting and want immediate privacy along a foundation or fence.
budget buys: a local nursery has the same size for less, since shipping live plants is always a gamble.
Understanding the Specs
Delivered Pot Size
The container size at arrival is the single biggest factor in how fast your arborvitae establishes. A 3-gallon pot holds a large root ball that supports strong first-year growth, while a 2.5-inch starter pot means a long grow-out period. Match the pot size to your patience level.
Mature Height and Width
Arborvitae listings advertise a final size that can range from 8 to 20 feet tall. Width matters just as much: a 5 to 6 foot spread needs generous spacing, while a 3 to 4 foot column fits tight foundation beds. Measure your space before you commit.
FAQ
How far apart should I plant Smaragd Emerald Green Arborvitae for a privacy hedge?
What is the difference between a 2.5-inch starter pot and a 3-gallon container?
Which hardiness zones can grow Smaragd Emerald Green Arborvitae?
How tall will my Smaragd Emerald Green Arborvitae get at maturity?
Is the Smaragd Emerald Green Arborvitae deer resistant?
Can I plant my arborvitae in full sun or partial shade?
Why did my arborvitae arrive smaller than expected?
How much water do young Emerald Green Arborvitae need?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best smaragd emerald green arborvitae is the Green Promise Farms #3 because its 3-gallon root ball and healthy arrival record give you the most reliable establishment. If you want a cold-hardy hedge on a budget, the Perfect Plants 1-Gallon delivers a tidy 14-foot column down to zone 2. And if you are willing to wait a few seasons, the Daylily Nursery seven-pack is the smartest way to fill a long fence line without emptying your wallet.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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