Fall Shipping Notice
Fall is one of the best times to plant. As temperatures cool, plants naturally begin entering dormancy. Depending on the variety, your plant may arrive with fall color, partial leaf drop, or bare stems. This is normal seasonal behavior and does not mean the plant is unhealthy.
Fall planting gives roots time to establish while the soil is still warm, helping plants get a stronger start when new growth begins in spring.
Tater Tot® Thuja
Regular price
$52.99
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Proven Winners®
Tater Tot® Thuja
Description
Tater Tot® Thuja Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'SMNTOBAB' | USPP 30,761 | Can 7,152 | Proven Winners®
Tater Tot® is the compact evergreen that gives small spaces a polished, year-round look without the maintenance of a formal hedge. Its naturally rounded shape, dense dark-green foliage, and cold-hardy performance make it an easy choice for foundation beds, walkways, rock gardens, containers, and entryways.
BEST VALUE: Proven Winners® Premium 1 Gallon — Landscape Ready
A fuller, established nursery-grown plant with strong branching and a finished rounded form. Choose the 1 Gallon for faster establishment and stronger immediate presence in your landscape.
FILL MY BOX & SAVE 15%
1 plant = regular price
Buy 2 or more Tater Tot® Thuja plants = save 15%
Savings apply automatically at checkout to Tater Tot® Thuja featured on this page.
Add to Cart Now — Build Your Evergreen Foundation
Buy 2 or more Tater Tot® Thuja plants and save 15% automatically.
What Makes This Plant a Good Choice
- Naturally rounded form: Tater Tot® stays compact and tidy without constant shearing or formal shaping.
- Year-round structure: Dense dark-green foliage adds dependable color and softness through every season.
- Small-space friendly: Its dwarf habit works beautifully in foundation beds, borders, rock gardens, and containers.
- Cold-hardy performance: Reliable in zones 3 through 7 and well suited to northern and upper-Midwest landscapes.
- Low-maintenance evergreen: Once established, it needs only occasional watering and light touch-up pruning when desired.
What This Plant Does For You
- Turns empty corners, entryways, and path edges into finished-looking landscape spaces.
- Creates a repeatable rhythm when planted in groups or a neat low border.
- Adds winter interest when deciduous plants have dropped their leaves.
- Provides a structured backdrop for colorful annuals, low perennials, grasses, and seasonal flowers.
- Gives patios, decks, and balconies a compact evergreen accent in a suitable container.
- Reduces pruning work because its rounded shape develops naturally.
Plant Highlights
- Botanical name: Thuja occidentalis 'SMNTOBAB'
- Common name: Tater Tot® Arborvitae
- Brand: Proven Winners®
- Patent information: USPP 30,761 | Can 7,152
- Available sizes: Premium 1 Gallon and 3 Gallon
- Mature form: Compact, dense, rounded evergreen mound
- Approximate mature size: About 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide, depending on growing conditions
- Foliage: Dense dark green, fan-shaped, and evergreen
- Hardiness zones: 3 through 7, with tolerance into warmer areas when properly sited
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Regular moisture during establishment, then occasional watering once established
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to clay and loam when drainage is adequate
- Deer resistant: Yes
- Drought tolerant: Yes once established
- Pollinator friendly: No significant flowers
Give your landscape a clean evergreen anchor.
Choose the size that fits your space, then buy 2 or more to save 15% automatically.
Premium Features & Solutions
Need a tidy evergreen without hedge maintenance? Tater Tot® naturally forms a rounded mound, so it gives you structure without weekly trimming.
Working with a small yard or tight bed? Its dwarf habit fits where larger arborvitae would overwhelm the space.
Want year-round color? The dense foliage stays green through winter and provides dependable structure beside perennials and deciduous shrubs.
Looking for a container evergreen? Tater Tot® works well in a generously sized container with drainage and protection from extreme winter exposure.
Choose your size: The Premium 1 Gallon is a strong landscape-ready starting point with faster establishment. The 3 Gallon gives you a larger, more developed plant for stronger immediate presence.
Smart Growing Guide
Beginner — Step-by-Step Success
- Choose the location: Select full sun to partial shade with enough room for the mature rounded form.
- Prepare the soil: Dig a hole wider than the root ball and no deeper. Moist, well-drained soil is ideal.
- Plant correctly: Set the plant so the root flare is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
- Water deeply: Water thoroughly after planting and keep the root zone evenly moist during the first growing season.
- Mulch lightly: Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
- Prune only as needed: Lightly shape in spring before strong new growth begins. Avoid cutting into bare interior wood.
Advanced — Optimization Tips
- Use morning sun and afternoon shade in hotter climates to reduce winter and summer stress.
- Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring when soil is poor or growth is weak.
- Protect new plantings from road salt, snowplow damage, and heavy mechanical contact.
- Keep grass and weeds away from the root zone so young plants do not compete for moisture.
- Use a 2 to 3 inch mulch layer to moderate soil temperature and conserve moisture.
- For containers, choose a pot with drainage and insulate the root zone before severe winter weather.
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
- Repeat the rhythm: Plant 3 or more in a loose group or evenly spaced row for a polished evergreen pattern.
- Frame an entry: Use matching plants beside steps, gates, or a front walk.
- Contrast the foliage: Pair dark green Tater Tot® with silver foliage, gold foliage, or colorful perennials.
- Use containers: Place in a large pot near a porch or patio for year-round structure.
- Build a fuller planting: Buy 2 or more plants to repeat the evergreen form and save 15% automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 1 Gallon and 3 Gallon sizes?
The Premium 1 Gallon is an established landscape-ready starting size that is easy to place in groups or borders. The 3 Gallon is larger and more developed, giving you stronger immediate presence and a faster visual fill.
How does the Fill My Box discount work?
One plant is charged at the regular price. Buy 2 or more Tater Tot® Thuja plants and save 15%. Savings apply automatically at checkout to this featured plant.
How large does Tater Tot® get?
It remains a compact, rounded evergreen. Mature size is commonly about 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide, depending on site, climate, and care.
Does it need regular pruning?
No. Its rounded shape develops naturally. Light spring shaping is optional when you want to refine the outline.
Can it grow in partial shade?
Yes. Tater Tot® grows in full sun to partial shade. More light generally supports denser growth and stronger color.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes. Tater Tot® is listed as deer resistant.
Is it drought tolerant?
Once established, it tolerates dry periods. Water consistently during the first growing season and during extended drought.
Can I grow it in a container?
Yes. Use a large container with drainage, quality potting mix, and extra winter root protection in colder climates.
Is it pet friendly?
This product is not listed as pet friendly. Keep pets from chewing on the foliage.
When should I prune it?
Light shaping is best done in spring before the season's strongest new growth begins. Do not cut deeply into bare interior wood.
TAKE ACTION NOW
Add dependable evergreen structure to your landscape with Tater Tot® Thuja, a compact Proven Winners® arborvitae made for small spaces and easy care.
Ordering & Shipping
- Orders are typically processed within 1 to 3 business days.
- Orders placed after Wednesday at 4:00 PM through Sunday ship the following Monday.
- Weather holds may apply below 34°F or above 95°F to protect plant health.
- Plant size and appearance vary by season. Foliage may be trimmed for safe transit.
- Choose the Premium 1 Gallon or 3 Gallon option shown on this product page.
Note: The images and videos on our site are the best way to show off our products and show how good we are as growers. Depending on the season you buy, you may get a plant that is smaller or bigger than the picture shows. The plant might bloom like it does on our site, but it might not. We cut off the blooms most of the time because they don't ship well. When you buy our plants, think of them as an investment in your future garden, and enjoy the process of seeing it grow to its fullest.