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Oriental Arborvitae (Thuja)
الثويا (السرو الشرقي) · Platycladus orientalis
An evergreen conifer with a neat cone shape, used as a hedge and decoration in gardens.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | الثويا (السرو الشرقي) |
|---|---|
| English name | Oriental Arborvitae (Thuja) |
| Scientific name | Platycladus orientalis |
| Family | Cypress family (Cupressaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen shrub or tree |
| Height | 3 to 10 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
November to March
Harvest
Not harvested
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A tree with flat upright sprays of green scale leaves and small blue-grey cones.
Where it grows
Planted in gardens and entrances in Riyadh, Al-Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, the north, Asir and Al-Baha.
Soil
Handles poor and alkaline soil.
Water and irrigation
Needs little water once settled.
Climate and light
Handles heat and cold.
Propagation
From seeds or cuttings.
Benefits and uses
- Neat evergreen shape
- A good hedge
- Handles drought
Drawbacks
- Leaves are poisonous if eaten
- Can cause skin allergy
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Platycladus orientalis
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Platycladus orientalis
- Wikipedia: Platycladus
- Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) - Plant finder
- ASPCA - Toxic and non-toxic plants list
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)