Russian Arborvitae

Microbiota decussata

Cupressaceae · vine groundcover · introduced

Last updated May 10, 2026

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height

1 ft

Spread

3-12 ft

Growth Rate

Medium

Site Requirements

Light

Full Sun to Shade

Soil Drainage

Well Drained To Moist

Soil pH

adaptable (acidic to alkaline)

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zones 2a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Fall Color

Brown, purple, red

Twig BlightModerate

Canker Development and Twig Dieback

LeafminerModerate

Larval Mining

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.