Russian Arborvitae

Microbiota decussata

Cupressaceae · vine groundcover · introduced

Last updated May 10, 2026

Quick Facts

Height

1 ft

Spread

3-12 ft

Growth Rate

Medium

Light

Full Sun to Shade

Soil

Well Drained To Moist

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zone Zones 2a–8b

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Fall Color

Brown, purple, red

Twig BlightHigh

Spring Spore Release

LeafminerModerate

Adult Emergence & Egg Laying

Diseases: Regionally Documented (5)

Hendersonia coniothyrium Berckmann's Blight Cedar Flagging Symptom category — not a single disease Leaf Blight Phomopsis spp., Kabatina spp., and Pestalotiopsis spp. Shoot Tip Dieback Multiple fungal species cause twig blight on different ho... Twig Blight

Pests: Regionally Documented (7)

Argyresthia cupressella Cypress tip moth Various (Buprestidae, Scolytinae) Flat Headed And Shothole Borers Carulaspis juniperi Juniper scale Juniper fall-webworm Various (Agromyzidae, Gracillariidae, Tenthredinidae) Leafminer Tetranychidae Spider mite Physokermes piceae Spruce bud scale

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.