Emerald Cedar has emerald green foliage. The scale-like leaves remain emerald green throughout the winter. Emerald Cedar is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Emerald Cedar will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH.