Tater Tot Arborvitae - Thuja

Tater Tot® arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'SMNTOBAB', PP 30,761, Can 7,152) delivers year-round structure and texture in an irresistibly compact package. This dwarf globe evergreen forms a naturally tidy, slightly taller-than-wide sphere of fragrant, fan-like deep green foliage that holds its color beautifully through all four seasons — no shearing required. Reaching just 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity, it brings presence and permanence to spaces where larger evergreens would quickly overwhelm.

A Proven Winners introduction and native North American species, Tater Tot® is cold-hardy to Zone 3 (-40°F) and adapts readily to full sun or partial shade, making it one of the more versatile dwarf conifers available. It thrives in average, moist, well-drained soil with minimal care — no pruning, no shaping, no fuss. Use it as a low-maintenance edging plant, tuck it into mixed perennial borders for winter structure, pair it with ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs, or showcase it in containers near entryways where its dense, sculptural habit earns a second look.

Tater Tot® arborvitae is a seedling of T. occidentalis 'Brandon' and outpaces slower dwarf options like 'Danica' while staying comfortably smaller than 'Hetz Midget' — a practical middle ground in the dwarf globe arborvitae category. Interestingly, the cultivar was originally introduced under the name Tiny Tot before a naming conflict prompted the rebranding; the new name has proven equally memorable and, if anything, even more fitting for this cheerful little evergreen. Hardy, adaptable, and effortlessly tidy, it earns its spot in the landscape all twelve months of the year.

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.