How to Grow Thuja (Morpankhi) Hedge: Spacing, Water, Trimming
Morpankhi, the flat, fan leaved conifer sold as “thuja” at every nursery, makes a neat, slow hedge if you plant it in the cool months and stop drowning it. How to grow thuja well: plant in October to November or February, about 60 to 90 cm apart for a hedge, in full sun with sharp drainage; water deeply but not daily; and trim lightly twice a year. Most browning plants are victims of summer planting or soggy soil, not of disease.
Quick facts
- Botanical name: Platycladus orientalis, formerly Thuja orientalis (oriental arborvitae)
- Plant: October to November, or February; avoid May to June
- Hedge spacing: 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet)
- Pot: 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches), 20 to 40 litres for a single specimen
- Sun: full sun to half shade
- Growth: slow; NC State Extension rates it slow growing
- Hates: wet, boggy soil
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Is morpankhi really thuja?
Close enough to share the name. The common nursery morpankhi is Platycladus orientalis, which botanists once called Thuja orientalis. NC State Extension lists it as eastern or oriental arborvitae, a dense conical shrub or tree that can eventually reach 5 to 7 metres if never trimmed and tends to open up with age. For a hedge you keep it far smaller with trimming.
Thuja or conocarpus: which hedge?
Conocarpus became the default fast hedge in Karachi and Lahore, and many cities now regret it. In 2023 Gujarat’s forest department banned new conocarpus planting, citing heavy water use, roots that block drains and damage lines, and winter pollen linked to breathing complaints.
| Point | Thuja (morpankhi) | Conocarpus |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | Slow | Very fast |
| Trimming | Light, twice a year | Hard, many times a year |
| Water | Moderate; hates waterlogging | Heavy |
| Roots near walls, drains | Modest | A known problem |
| Verdict | Plant, for a small, tidy hedge | Skip near homes and pipes |
The trade off is patience: a thuja hedge takes several years to close up, while conocarpus hides a wall in a season.
When and how to plant a thuja hedge
Plant in October to November or February. Summer planting is where most browning stories begin: a nursery plant moved into 45C heat with a disturbed root ball simply cannot drink fast enough.
- Mark a line and dig a trench or holes about 45 cm wide and deep.
- Mix the dug soil with about a third compost and, on heavy clay, some coarse sand.
- Space plants 60 to 90 cm apart; closer for a quicker, narrower screen.
- Set each plant at the same depth it sat in the nursery bag. Cut the bag away; do not break the root ball.
- Backfill, firm gently, and make a shallow ring of soil to hold water.
- Water deeply once, then again when the top 5 cm is dry.
Thuja water requirement by season
Deep and infrequent beats daily sprinkling. Our guide to watering potted plants by season covers the finger test.
| Season | In ground (established) | In a pot |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Every 10 to 14 days | Every 5 to 7 days |
| Spring, autumn | Every 7 days | Every 3 to 4 days |
| 45C summer | Every 3 to 5 days, deep | Daily, morning |
| Monsoon | Only if dry spells | Check drainage |
In the first year after planting, water a little more often. In Karachi’s salty, humid air, rinse dust off leaves now and then; salt tolerance is not something to count on.
The brown core test
Thuja naturally sheds old inner foliage, which turns brown inside the bush, especially in autumn. Before panicking, part the branches. Brown only on the inside with green tips outside is normal. Brown tips on the outside, spreading, is stress: usually drought, waterlogging or a hot wall reflecting sun. Also, NC State notes the foliage “bronzes in winter”; that coppery tint greens up again in spring.
How to trim thuja
- Trim lightly in March and again in September or October. Avoid hard cuts in May and June heat.
- Shape the hedge slightly narrower at the top than the base so light reaches the lower branches.
- Cut only into green growth. Old bare wood inside rarely sprouts again, so a deep cut leaves a permanent hole.
- Remove no more than a third of new growth at a time.
How to propagate thuja
NC State lists seed as the usual method. At home, both work, slowly.
- Seed: collect the small, horned cones as they turn brown in autumn, dry them until they open, and sow the seed shallowly in a tray in October or February. Seedlings are tiny and take years to make a hedge plant.
- Cuttings: in February or October, take 10 to 15 cm side shoots with a small heel of older wood. Strip the lower leaves, push into damp sand and compost, and keep in bright shade under a clear cover. Rooting is slow, often two to three months, and success is moderate; take many cuttings.
Honestly, nursery plants are cheap and save years. Propagate only for fun or for many plants.
Thuja leaves turning brown: causes
| Sign | Likely cause | First response |
|---|---|---|
| Brown inside, green outside | Normal shedding | Shake out dead needles |
| Whole plant browns after planting | Transplant in heat, broken root ball | Shade, steady water; replant in cool months |
| Brown with wet, sour soil | Root rot | Stop watering; improve drainage |
| Fine webbing, speckled dull leaves | Spider mites | Hose under foliage; repeat weekly |
| Cone shaped silk bags hanging | Bagworms | Hand pick and destroy |
Thuja growth rate
Slow. Expect modest yearly growth, faster in good soil with steady water. A 60 cm nursery plant usually needs a few years to form a solid, chest high hedge.
Many conifers in this family contain irritating oils, and the sap can cause skin rashes in some people, so wear gloves and long sleeves when trimming, and wash after. Keep children and pets from chewing clippings. For the plants that are seriously dangerous at home, see our list of poisonous plants for kids and pets. If you spray for mites, read the label, wear gloves and a mask, and keep children and pets away until dry. Never plant a hedge where it blocks a drain, a gas line or a meter.
Thuja hedge questions
How far apart should I plant thuja for a hedge?
About 60 to 90 cm. Closer spacing closes the gap sooner but costs more plants.
How fast does thuja grow in Pakistan?
Slowly. It takes a few years to form a dense hedge, much slower than conocarpus.
Why is my thuja turning brown in summer?
Usually heat stress after planting, too little deep water, or the opposite, a waterlogged pot. Check the soil before acting.
Can thuja grow in a pot?
Yes, in a 30 to 45 cm pot with a drainage hole. Potted plants dry out fast in summer and need daily checks.
When is the best time to plant thuja?
October to November or February. Avoid May and June.
Will thuja grow back after a hard cut?
Rarely from bare brown wood. Trim only into green growth.
Is thuja better than conocarpus?
For a small home hedge near walls and drains, yes. It is slower, but uses less water and causes fewer root problems.
Does thuja need full sun?
It grows best in full sun but accepts half shade. In deep shade it thins out.
More trees and hedges are in Phool aur Paudhe.