The Tiniest Globe Arborvitae for Minnesota Foundation Beds

Tater Tot Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Tater Tot') is a Proven Winners cultivar that tops out at just 2–3 feet tall and wide — the smallest globe arborvitae available. Reliable to -40°F. Perfect for tight foundation pockets, low borders, and container plantings in Twin Cities yards.

Tater Tot Arborvitae Plant Details

Tater Tot Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes

Tight Foundation Pockets

Tater Tot's tiny 2–3 ft mature size fits where no other arborvitae will: under low windows, between basement window wells, or as a fence-line accent in narrow side yards. Space 2–3 feet apart for a continuous low ribbon.

Container Plantings

One of the few hardy evergreens compact enough for permanent container life in the Twin Cities. Use a 16-inch+ glazed ceramic pot, well-draining soil, and locate where winter snow cover insulates the roots.

Best Time to Plant Tater Tot Arborvitae in Minnesota

Fall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Tater Tot Arborvitae. Soil is still warm enough for root development, cool air reduces transplant shock, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before the typical mid-November ground freeze in the Twin Cities. The earlier window matters specifically for evergreens because they continue losing moisture through their needles all winter, so root establishment before freeze is critical.

Spring (late April through May, after ground thaw) is the second-best window — you get a full growing season ahead. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible; if you must, water heavily and mulch deeply. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground or frost-heaving will kill new roots.

How to Plant Tater Tot Arborvitae

1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).
2. Check for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade to improve drainage.
3. Backfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't fill the hole with pure compost — it creates a "container" effect that traps water around the roots.
4. Spacing — 2–3 feet apart for continuous low border; 3–4 feet for accent placements.
5. Build a 3–4 inch water basin around the plant to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove the basin in late October to prevent ice damage over winter.
6. Mulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch — it doesn't insulate roots in Minnesota winters.

Watering Tater Tot Arborvitae in Minnesota

First Year Watering Schedule

• Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)
• Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days
• Month 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages roughly 3 inches/month June–August)
• Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in Twin Cities metro). Continued late-fall watering can push tender new growth that gets killed by winter.
• One deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation.

After Year One

• Established Tater Tot Arborvitae rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F).
• Soak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest.

Drip Irrigation in Minnesota

Drip works well for Tater Tot Arborvitae if your beds already have a system. Place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk. Always blow out lines and shut off the timer by early October — frozen drip lines split.

Will Tater Tot survive a Minnesota winter?

Yes — rated to USDA zone 3 (-40°F).

How is it different from Hetz Midget?

Both are dwarf globes. Hetz Midget reaches 3–4 ft; Tater Tot stays even smaller at 2–3 ft. Use Tater Tot when you need the absolute smallest globe arborvitae.

Will deer eat it?

Yes, in winter. Protect first-year plants with snow fence or netting.

How fast does it grow?

Very slow — 2–3 inches per year. Holds proportional size for 15+ years.

You May Also Like

• Hetz Midget Arborvitae — Slightly larger dwarf globe — pair for tiered plantings.
• Boxwood 'Green Velvet' — Mid-size 3–4 ft globe for the next layer up.
• Karl Foerster Grass — Vertical accent contrasting Tater Tot's tiny rounded form.
• Russian Sage — Lavender-blue summer flowers contrast with Tater Tot's green.

How Many Tater Tot Arborvitae Do I Need?

Tater Tot tops out at just 2–3 ft wide, so space plants about 2.5 ft on center for a continuous low ribbon, or set them as single accents.

As a foundation accent, use one under a low window or plant in pairs flanking an entry. In a bed, a group of 3 reads as a tidy evergreen cluster.

Tater Tot Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota

• Spring: Soft new growth flushes bright green on the tidy globe; a light shearing now keeps it crisp.
• Summer: Holds a dense, deep-green rounded form that anchors foundation pockets with no flopping or fuss.
• Fall: Foliage stays green as deciduous neighbors color and drop, becoming a quiet evergreen anchor.
• Winter: Keeps its green globe under snow for year-round structure; protect young plants from deer browse.

At a Glance

✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest

Plant It With

• Hetz Midget Arborvitae — a slightly larger dwarf globe for tiered evergreen plantings.
• Techny Globe Arborvitae — a 3–4 ft globe for the next layer up in the bed.
• Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — a vertical accent that contrasts Tater Tot's tiny rounded form.
• Limelight Hydrangea — lime-white blooms that pop against the dark evergreen foliage.

Is Tater Tot Arborvitae Right for Your Yard?

Tater Tot is ideal for tight foundation pockets, low borders, and permanent containers in full sun to part shade with average, well-drained soil — the smallest globe arborvitae you can buy, and reliably hardy to -40°F. Not a fit if you need a fast privacy screen (it's very slow and stays tiny) or if you can't protect young plants from heavy winter deer browse in an unfenced rural site.