When to Plant Arborvitae in Alaska

Growing Arborvitae in Alaska: Complete Guide

Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is planted as nursery stock — a container-grown or bare-root plant from a garden center, not seed. Depending on your zone, the ideal spring window in Alaska falls between February 15, 2027 (Zone 8b) and May 18, 2027 (Zone 1a); early fall works too, once summer heat breaks.

Because Alaska stretches across 16 USDA hardiness zones (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

Arborvitae requires full sun to light shade and moderate; water well first year moisture. Alaska's long summer days accelerate growth, but frost can arrive early in August — season extension with row covers is essential.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Alaska.