A beautiful landscape doesn’t have to drain your savings. With the right plant choices, you can fill bare spots, create privacy, and add year-round color for what you might spend on a single trip to the big-box garden center. The secret is knowing which species deliver the most visual impact per dollar spent.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. My recommendations come from comparing growth rates, hardiness data, and thousands of owner reports to find plants that thrive without draining your wallet.
Whether you need a fast privacy screen, reblooming color, or a groundcover that fills gaps quickly, this guide walks you through the top options. Here is my curated list of the best cheap landscape plants that deliver real results on a reasonable budget.
How To Choose The Best Cheap Landscape Plants
Buying plants on a budget means you need to be strategic. A good price means nothing if the plant dies in your soil or outgrows its space in two seasons. Focus on these four factors to make every dollar count.
Know Your Hardiness Zone
Your USDA hardiness zone determines which perennials will survive winter and thrive long term. Every plant in this guide lists its recommended zones, so cross-check before ordering. Planting outside your zone is the fastest way to waste money, no matter how cheap the initial purchase.
Define Your Landscape Goal
Are you blocking a view, adding seasonal color, or covering bare soil? Privacy screens call for fast-growing species like hybrid willows or arborvitaes. Ornamental beds benefit from reblooming shrubs like Encore azaleas. Slopes and problem areas need spreading groundcovers such as creeping jenny. Picking the right plant type for your goal saves time and avoids replanting costs.
Evaluate Growth Rate and Mature Size
Fast-growing plants fill in quickly but may require staking, pruning, or wider spacing. Slower growers need more patience but often demand less maintenance. Check the mature height and spread so you don’t overcrowd your beds. A cheap plant that needs to be ripped out in three years is no bargain.
Check Soil and Sunlight Requirements
Each species has preferred sun exposure and moisture needs. Full-sun plants placed in shade will struggle and may die. Sandy-soil lovers won’t thrive in heavy clay. Matching plants to your existing site conditions reduces the need for expensive amendments and keeps your investment safe.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (10 Pack) | Evergreen Privacy | Fast dense screen | Zones 5-9, 3 ft/yr | Amazon |
| Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo | Flowering Shrub | Reblooming color | Zones 6-10, 4 ft tall | Amazon |
| Hybrid Willow Trees (18 Pack) | Privacy Screen | Quick barrier | Deer resistant, fast | Amazon |
| Creeping Jenny (2 Pack) | Groundcover | Erosion control | 4 in tall, 18 in spread | Amazon |
| 5 Willow Trees Variety Pack | Mixed Species | Bonsai & garden | 3 unique willow types | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (10 Pack)
The Thuja Green Giant is a top choice for homeowners who want real privacy without waiting a decade. These potted saplings arrive in their own soil and container, and once established, they push up to 3 feet of new growth per year. For the price per tree, you get a fraction of what comparable sizes cost at local nurseries.
What makes this a standout value is the combination of hardiness and speed. Rated for zones 5 through 9, these evergreens tolerate heat, cold, and a range of soil conditions. Owners consistently report healthy arrivals and vigorous growth, with some trees reaching 3.5 feet within 16 months when given full sun.
Space them 6 to 7 feet apart for a quick screen, and expect a mature height of 40 feet with a 15-foot spread. The five-day guarantee from Daylily Nursery provides peace of mind, though most buyers have no need to use it. This is the most cost-effective way to establish a permanent privacy barrier.
What works
- Fast 3 ft per year growth once established
- Excellent value for a 10-pack vs. retail prices
- Hardy across zones 5 to 9 with minimal care
What doesn’t
- Young saplings may need fencing against deer
- Slower growth in partial shade locations
2. Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo
The Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo delivers blazing red blooms that return spring, summer, and fall. Unlike traditional azaleas that flower once and fade, this low-maintenance shrub keeps your landscape colorful for months. It stays compact at 4 feet tall with a 4.5-foot spread, making it ideal for foundation plantings or accent beds.
Owner reviews consistently praise the healthy condition upon arrival and the vigorous growth after planting. Many report seeing new buds and branches within just two weeks. The evergreen foliage provides year-round interest even when the shrub is not in flower, so you get structure and color through every season.
It thrives in partial sun with moderate watering and performs best in zones 6 through 10. For the price of a single shrub, you get years of repeat blooms without the need for replanting each season. This is a smart choice for adding long-term curb appeal on a modest budget.
What works
- Reblooms across three seasons for extended color
- Compact evergreen habit stays tidy without pruning
- Well-packaged and arrives in healthy condition
What doesn’t
- Occasional single-plant failure reported
- Needs consistent watering during establishment
3. Hybrid Willow Trees (18 Pack)
For anyone who needs privacy or shade in a hurry, the 18-pack of Hybrid Willow Trees from CZ Grain is a workhorse choice. These Aussie Hybrid Willows grow at an astonishing rate, with owner reports showing 8 to 10 feet of height in just three years. They produce no seeds or cotton, keeping your yard clean.
Beyond privacy, these trees tackle erosion control and help dry out boggy areas. The detailed instruction sheet and video tutorial guide you through successful rooting and planting. Many gardeners report visible roots and new foliage within the first week, making this one of the most rewarding fast-growing options available.
The package includes 18 cuttings, giving you plenty of material for a dense screen. They are deer resistant and tolerate full sun with moderate watering. While some cuttings may not root, the majority take off quickly and form a thick visual and sound barrier within a few seasons.
What works
- Extremely fast growth for quick privacy
- Helps with erosion and wet soil areas
- Deer resistant with minimal maintenance
What doesn’t
- Some cuttings may fail to root
- Needs staking in windy locations
4. Creeping Jenny (2 Pack)
Creeping Jenny is a versatile trailing perennial that fills bare soil with vibrant chartreuse-green foliage. The 2-pack gives you a head start on covering slopes, pond edges, or container spillers. It grows only 4 inches tall but spreads up to 18 inches per plant, creating a dense mat that suppresses weeds.
Buyers consistently highlight the healthy, well-packaged plants that arrive fresh from the greenhouse. One gardener described them as “better than expected, bright, healthy, large, and full.” The plant tolerates both sun and partial shade, adapting to a wide range of soil types with minimal fuss.
This is a low-maintenance solution for adding texture and color to challenging spots where grass won’t grow. It’s also commonly called “moneywort” for its coin-shaped leaves. As a fast-spreading groundcover, it delivers big visual impact for a very modest investment.
What works
- Fast-spreading groundcover that chokes weeds
- Vibrant chartreuse color brightens shady areas
- Arrives well-packaged and healthy from the greenhouse
What doesn’t
- One plant may arrive weak in some packs
- Can become invasive if not managed
5. 5 Willow Trees Variety Pack
The 5 Willow Trees pack from CZ Grain includes 2 Weeping Willows, 2 Austree Hybrid Willows, and 1 Corkscrew Willow. This variety pack lets you experiment with three distinct willow types in a single purchase. Each cutting is labeled for easy identification, and the included instruction sheet walks you through rooting.
Willow cuttings are famously easy to root in water, with many owners reporting visible roots within a week. One verified buyer shared that 11 healthy extras arrived alongside their order and that every single cutting rooted successfully without hormones. The video tutorial adds an extra layer of support for beginners.
While a few users experienced inconsistent survival rates, the majority praise the fast shipping and healthy condition. This pack is a fantastic budget-friendly entry point for kids’ STEM projects, bonsai starts, or anyone who wants to try growing willow without a big commitment. The variety makes it one of the most interesting bargains in this guide.
What works
- Three unique willow species in one pack
- Cuttings root quickly, often within a week
- Great educational project for beginners or kids
What doesn’t
- Some cuttings may develop fungus after weeks
- Inconsistent survival rate across different buyers
Hardware & Specs Guide
USDA Hardiness Zones
Every plant in this guide lists its recommended hardiness zone range. Zone numbers indicate the average minimum winter temperature a plant can survive. For example, Thuja Green Giant thrives in zones 5 through 9, while Encore Azalea performs best in zones 6 through 10. Planting outside your zone puts the plant under constant stress and dramatically reduces its lifespan. Check your local zone before ordering to avoid wasting money on plants that cannot survive your winters.
Sunlight Exposure
Landscape plants fall into three broad light categories: full sun (6+ hours of direct sun per day), partial sun or partial shade (3 to 6 hours), and full shade (less than 3 hours). Matching the plant’s sunlight requirement to your planting site is essential for healthy growth. Hybrid willows and Thuja Green Giant prefer full sun for maximum growth rate. Creeping Jenny tolerates both sun and partial shade, making it more flexible for tricky spots. Always observe your yard’s sun patterns before planting.
Mature Size and Spacing
Understanding how large a plant will grow at maturity prevents overcrowding and reduces maintenance. The Thuja Green Giant reaches 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide, requiring 6 to 7 feet of spacing between trees for a proper screen. Encore Azalea stays compact at 4 feet by 4.5 feet, suitable for tighter foundation beds. Creeping Jenny spreads 18 inches per plant but stays only 4 inches tall, making it ideal for groundcover. Plan your spacing based on the mature dimensions, not the tiny size at purchase.
Moisture Needs
Different plants have different watering requirements, and matching these to your soil type is critical. Most of the plants in this guide prefer moderate watering, meaning the soil should stay consistently moist but not waterlogged. Willow species tolerate wetter conditions and can even help dry out boggy areas. Creeping Jenny needs regular watering during establishment but becomes more drought-tolerant once established. Overwatering is just as dangerous as underwatering, so check soil moisture before reaching for the hose.
FAQ
What are the fastest growing cheap landscape plants for privacy?
How do I ensure my new plants survive shipping and transplanting?
Can I mix different landscape plants in the same bed?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best cheap landscape plants winner is the Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 10 Pack because it combines fast growth, evergreen privacy, and unbeatable value per tree. If you want reblooming color that returns season after season, grab the Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo. And for a fast privacy screen that handles wet soil and deer pressure, nothing beats the Hybrid Willow Trees 18 Pack.