Whether you spend all day in an office, on your feet, or in the home that is your solitude, we all value our privacy. Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy the freedom of natural barriers called miles or generous amounts of space so we must opt for the best plants for privacy like fast growing hedge plants to shield us from our neighbors. Lucky for all of us, there are literally thousands of yard plants that can do the trick. And for folks without green spaces or gardens, you can opt for tall potted plants for privacy.
Fences can keep out unwanted friends, glares, and bandits, but they aren’t always as affordable or beautiful as yard plants. Not only are there more options for tall potted plants for privacy, yard plants are a subtler way to say, “I’d rather you keep your morning Parkour classes to yourself, neighbor,” than putting up a fence. In fact, there’s so many tall potted plants for privacy that it’s easy to get overwhelmed—the best plants for privacy will depend on your own taste, nose, and desire for color when you’re trying to build a beautiful paradise for privacy.
Tips To Consider Before Choosing Privacy Plants
Choose a Plant That’s Right for Your Environment
Not only do you want to make sure you can give your plants or fast growing privacy hedge plants the proper light, soil and temperature requirements, but you should also do a thorough check on any poisonous parts of new species if you have small children or curious pets. Low maintenance plants that work in any type of climate are also the best plants to choose from for less work.
Give Your Plants Room To Breathe
Your backyard privacy shouldn’t be at the expense of your plants’ personal space. All plants need room for new growth and outdoor space to breathe. However, too much full sun and overgrowth can lead to pesky bugs and white flies.
Mix and Match Different Plants
You can plant fast growing hedge plants for privacy like evergreen shrubs next to birch or hemlock to diversify your plants.
15 Best Yard Plants For Privacy
1. Hick’s Yew
Hick’s Yew is a great evergreen for privacy 365 days a year.
- Full sun to partial sun
- Soil: well-drained, loamy & moist
- Up to 60ft, 12-18 ft wide
- Zone type: 2-10 hardiness
2. Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant Arborvitae can grow up to 5ft per year for fast-growing privacy.
- Full sun to partial sun
- Soil: well-drained, moist
- Size: 40-60 ft tall, 12 to 18 ft wide
- Zone type: 2-7 hardiness
3. Common Junipers
These are best for the forgetful gardener with little upkeep once established.
- Full sun
- Soil: well drained
- Size: Taller varieties between 40-65ft, varying in width
- Zone type: 2- 7 hardiness
4. Chinese Junipers
These are plush for privacy, growing as 50’ tall and 20’ wide in the wild.
- Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Size: 5 – 10 ft tall, 15 – 20 ft wide
- Zone type: 4-9 hardiness
5. Mountain Laurel
These can be planted in sunny areas to say “Keep out” with vibrant floral blooms.
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Cool, rich, moist, well-drained, acidic
- Size: 5 -15 ft tall and wide
- Zone type: 4-9 hardiness
6. Privets
These can be planted in thick rows to shield your house into a fortress.
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Size: 4 – 15 ft tall, 4 – 10 ft wide
- Zone type: 3-8 hardiness
7. Maiden Grass
This kind of grass is best for short sunny divides.
- Full sun
- Soil: Drought & humid tolerant
- Size: 7 ft tall, 4 ft wide
- Zone type: 5-9 hardiness
8. Jasmine Vines
These are best for patios and smaller gardens.
- Part sun to full sun
- Soil: Well drained soil, drought tolerant once established
- Size: 6ft tall, 7 ft wide
- Zone type: 8-10 hardiness
9. Golden Privets
Perfect for those seeking privacy dripped in gold.
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Size: 6-12 ft tall, 7-10 ft wide
- Zone type: 5-8 hardiness
10. English Holly
Holly may be beautiful, but it’s painful to fall for and therefore ideal to keep vermin far away.
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, acidic
- Size: 3-50 ft tall, 15-25 feet wide
- Zone type: 7-9 hardiness
11. Blue Prince/Princess Holly
This kind of holly offers great hedges for privacy in vibrant colors.
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, acidic
- Size: 15 ft tall, 8-10 feet wide
- Zone type: 3b-7a hardiness
12. English Ivy
These can grow as vines to create privacy on windows, sending a message that your house could be haunted.
- Partial shade to full shade
- Soil: Fertile and moist
- Size: N/A; climbs and spreads as much as possible
- Zone type: 4-13 hardiness
13. American Wisteria
These create flowering vines that offer a less spooky vibe with equitable privacy as other popular vines.
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Size: 10-25 ft long, 4-8 ft wide
- Zone type: 5-9 hardiness
14. Dutchman’s Pipe
This provides dense vibrant green foliage as a shrug.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
- Color: White flowers
- Light: Full sun to partial sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Mature Size: 15-30 ft tall, 15-20 ft wide
15. Climbing Hydrangea
This is an excellent source of colorful blooms and privacy for those living in shadier parts.
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
- Size: 30 – 50 ft tall, 5- 6 ft wide
- Zone type: 4a-8a hardiness
Hire The Help of a Tasker!
Need a second pair of hands to do the dirty work? Taskers are well-versed in gardening. Not only can they handle the planting and pruning, but they can also help out with the clean-up too! Book a Tasker today for your next gardening project.
