How much sun does British columbia red cedar need?

British columbia red cedar grows best in full sun conditions.

When does British columbia red cedar bloom?

British columbia red cedar blooms in March and April.

Where is British columbia red cedar native?

British columbia red cedar (Thuja plicata) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

British columbia red cedar

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Thuja plicata

Last reviewed: October 2026

British columbia red cedar (Thuja plicata) is a perennial tree native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states. It blooms in March and April.

Toxicity unknown

British columbia red cedar (Thuja plicata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

600"–1200" H × 180"–300" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range

Large pyramidal evergreen conifer with drooping branchlets of flat, scale-like foliage and fibrous reddish bark. Found in moist forests and along streams, capable of reaching great size and age.

Growing British columbia red cedar

Grow British columbia red cedar in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 600 to 1200 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Dense evergreen foliage provides year-round cover and nesting sites for birds and is browsed by deer and elk.

Common questions

How much sun does British columbia red cedar need?: British columbia red cedar grows best in full sun conditions.
When does British columbia red cedar bloom?: British columbia red cedar blooms in March and April.
Where is British columbia red cedar native?: British columbia red cedar (Thuja plicata) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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