The eyesore fence line, the neighbor’s new second-story window, the constant roadside dust — a yard without privacy feels smaller and louder. When you need a green wall that fills in before the next growing season, choosing the wrong plant variety can cost you years of waiting. Quick growing privacy plants are the solution, but their success depends entirely on matching the right species to your specific soil, sun, and zone.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. Each listing here is backed by hours of cross-referencing growth rate claims against verified customer results, zone hardiness data, and companion planting guides to separate genuine fast growers from hopeful marketing.
This guide compares seven reliable options, from evergreen vines to towering hybrid trees, all selected for their proven speed and screening potential. Whether you need to block a view, reduce wind, or define a property line, the right choice among best quick growing privacy plants comes down to your climate, available space, and how fast you need coverage.
How To Choose The Best Quick Growing Privacy Plants
Not every fast-growing plant makes a good privacy screen. The key is finding species that combine rapid vertical gain with dense foliage that blocks sightlines year-round. Start by evaluating your climate, the growth form (vine, shrub, or tree), and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit.
Annual Growth Rate vs. Mature Height
A plant that grows three feet per year but only tops out at eight feet might still leave a second-story window exposed. Look for species with documented annual growth rates of two to five feet and a mature height that exceeds your target screen elevation. For most privacy applications, a final height of 15–40 feet provides sufficient coverage without overwhelming the property line.
Evergreen Persistence vs. Deciduous Seasonality
Evergreen species like arborvitae and certain bamboos hold their foliage through winter, giving you year-round screening. Deciduous options, such as hybrid willows and spirea, drop leaves in fall, leaving bare branches until spring. If winter privacy matters, prioritize evergreens; if seasonal shade and summer-only screening are acceptable, deciduous growers can offer faster establishment.
Root System Behavior and Containment
Clumping bamboos (non-invasive) and well-behaved shrubs stay in place without spreading into neighboring lawns or foundations. Running bamboos and some hybrid willow roots can travel aggressively, potentially invading drainage pipes or overtaking garden beds. Check whether a variety is described as clumping, non-invasive, or requires a root barrier before planting near structures or property lines.
Spacing Density and Fill Time
Plants spaced too far apart create gaps that slow privacy formation. For most hedging species, a spacing of three to six feet is recommended depending on the mature width. Some fast-growing vines, like Carolina jasmine, need a trellis or fence to climb and cover vertical space quickly. When a solid, opaque wall is the goal, err on the closer side of the recommended spacing range.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft. Tall 8-Pack | Evergreen Tree | Year-round hedge in zones 5–9 | 3 ft/year growth rate | Amazon |
| Bambusa Green Hedge Bamboo | Clumping Bamboo | Non-invasive tropical-style screen | Mature height 25 ft | Amazon |
| 50 Hybrid Willow Trees | Deciduous Tree | Maximum speed windbreaks | 10 ft/year growth rate | Amazon |
| 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Tree Cuttings | Deciduous Tree | Budget-friendly instant privacy hedge | 5/8–1 in thick root stock | Amazon |
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Evergreen Tree | Large quantity low-cost screen starter | Mature height 40 ft | Amazon |
| Proven Winners Double Play Doozie Spirea | Flowering Shrub | Low hedge with seasonal color | Mature size 24–36 in H | Amazon |
| Carolina Jasmine Plant | Evergreen Vine | Fence or trellis coverage with flowers | Prefers nutrient rich moist soil | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft. Tall 8-Pack
The Thuja Green Giant has earned its reputation as the go-to evergreen privacy hedge for a reason: it grows roughly three feet per year once established and holds dense, dark green foliage through all four seasons. This eight-pack ships as two-foot-tall plants with an established root system, which increases survival odds compared to bare-root cuttings. Mature dimensions of up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide mean this species can handle anything from a six-foot privacy screen to a massive windbreak with proper pruning.
Customer reports consistently highlight the packaging quality — plastic wrap, base paper, and thick boxes keep plants undamaged during cross-country shipping. Almost all verified buyers received healthy specimens with individual tags and clear care instructions. The root system on these two-foot starts is notably more developed than standard plug-size arborvitae, giving them a head start in the ground.
Hardiness in zones 5 through 9 covers the majority of the continental US, and the pyramidal shape naturally sheds snow without breaking branches. Spacing them six to seven feet apart still produces a solid screen within three to four years, making this one of the most efficient options for a low-maintenance, year-round hedge.
What works
- Grows 3+ feet per season with proper care
- Dense evergreen foliage provides full-year coverage
- Excellent packaging ensures live delivery
What doesn’t
- Premium cost per plant compared to bare-root alternatives
- Needs consistent watering during first two years
2. Bambusa Green Hedge Bamboo – Non-Invasive, Clumping Bamboo
Bambusa Green Hedge is a clumping, non-invasive bamboo that keeps its root mass contained while still producing the fast vertical growth bamboo is famous for. Shipped in a one-gallon container at over four feet tall, this plant establishes quickly and can reach 25 feet at maturity. It thrives in full sun to full shade, making it an unusual privacy plant that works in shady corners where most evergreens struggle.
Customer feedback over multiple months shows a distinct pattern: the first 8–12 weeks involve slow adjustment, followed by a rapid burst of growth once the roots settle. One verified buyer in North Georgia described a period of steady but modest gains for three months, then the plant doubled in size within six weeks after applying diluted fertilizer. The foliage is dense enough to block sightlines even in winter since bamboo holds its leaves.
Hardiness in zones 7 through 11 means this bamboo is best suited for warmer climates. Cold snaps below zone 7 can damage or kill the plant, as reflected in some negative reports from buyers in zone 8a during unexpected freezes. Supplemental watering is required until the root system is fully established, but once mature it needs only moderate irrigation.
What works
- Grows in full shade to full sun
- Clumping habit prevents invasive spread
- Fast vertical filler after initial establishment
What doesn’t
- Not hardy below zone 7
- First few months show slow visible growth
3. 50 Hybrid Willow Trees – Fastest Growing Trees in The World
If raw speed is the top priority, hybrid willows are unmatched: these Austree hybrids have been documented growing up to 10 feet per year when planted in full sun with ample moisture. This 50-pack ships as bare-root cuttings, and many buyers report seeing buds and roots within one to two weeks of placing the cuttings in water or moist soil. The resulting trees can form a visual screen in a single growing season.
Reviews consistently mention the sheer abundance — customers often receive extras beyond the stated count, with one buyer receiving 65 instead of 50. Success rates are high when cuttings are placed in consistently moist soil and given full sun. The trees are also deer resistant and effective for erosion control on slopes or drainage ditches.
The downside is that these are deciduous trees: they will lose leaves in winter, leaving bare branches until spring. Powdery mildew can occasionally appear in humid climates, and the roots can be aggressive, so plant them at least 15 feet away from septic systems or house foundations. Some customers experienced total failure when planting during the rainy season or in poorly draining clay.
What works
- Extremely fast 10 ft/year vertical growth
- Deer resistant and low maintenance once established
- Great for erosion control and noise reduction
What doesn’t
- Deciduous — no winter foliage
- Roots can be invasive if planted too close to structures
4. 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Tree Cuttings – Approx 10 inches Tall
This Jumbo pack of 24 hybrid willow cuttings is an entry-level starting point for anyone needing a large number of plants at a moderate cost. Each cutting measures roughly 10 inches long with root stock between 5/8 and one inch thick. That thicker base stock gives the cuttings more stored energy for root development compared to pencil-thin cuttings.
Verified buyers in southern climates report seeing blooms within the first week and having all cuttings survive their first season when kept consistently watered. One customer ordered four packs and received 132 total starts, significantly exceeding the advertised count. The cuttings arrive wrapped in wet paper towels and often show early root formation before planting.
However, a subset of customers experienced total failure — cuttings that rooted in water but died after being transplanted into the ground. Success appears to depend heavily on soil drainage, consistent moisture during the first year, and planting timing (avoiding late frosts). A drip line watering for 20 minutes once a week after establishment is recommended for best survival rates.
What works
- Thick root stock increases establishment success
- Very fast early growth in good conditions
- High value for the number of plants received
What doesn’t
- Transplant shock can kill a percentage of cuttings
- Requires careful watering schedule first season
5. 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 7-10 inches Tall Trees
This 10-pack of small Thuja Green Giants (7–10 inches tall) is one of the most affordable ways to start a large evergreen screen. Shipped as potted plants with their original soil, these baby arborvitae are small enough to establish with minimal transplant shock but still carry the same genetic potential to grow three feet per year and reach 40 feet tall at maturity.
Customer reports note that these trees survived winter in north Missouri and doubled in size within their first year with consistent watering (2–3 times per week using a bucket). The recommended spacing of 6–7 feet apart can create a solid screen in three to four years. The packaging was described as sufficient, with most trees arriving green and healthy even after shipping delays.
The main risk is that the plants are small and vulnerable during their first winter. A small percentage of buyers reported 100% failure — all plants dying after being planted in full sun, with the seller attributing the loss to planting conditions or weather. The five-day guarantee means buyers need to inspect and plant immediately upon arrival. Despite this, the majority of verified reviews describe healthy, thriving trees at a fraction of the cost of larger nursery specimens.
What works
- Very low cost per tree for the variety
- Fast growth once established
- Easy to transplant with minimal shock
What doesn’t
- Small size vulnerable during first winter
- Some batches show high failure rate
6. Proven Winners 2 Gal. Double Play Doozie Spirea Shrub
Spirea is not a tree, but for lower-level privacy screening — blocking ground-level sightlines along a patio or property edge — the Double Play Doozie offers dense branching and prolific red-to-purple blooms from spring through fall. This two-gallon shrub ships with an established root system and typically arrives with a full, healthy crown of foliage and even some active flowers.
Customer reports nearly universally praise the quality of the plant upon arrival. It is shipped as a potted specimen, so establishment stress is minimal compared to bare-root options. Buyers reported that after one month in the ground, the shrubs were thriving and blooming with no special care beyond the initial planting instructions. The mature size of 24–36 inches makes this ideal as a foreground layer behind taller evergreens or as a low border screen.
It requires full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 3 through 8. As a deciduous shrub, it will lose its leaves in winter, but the branching structure still provides some visual barrier. This is not a primary privacy solution for tall sightlines but works well as a dense mid-layer in a layered hedge design.
What works
- Arrives healthy with active blooms
- Dense branching provides good ground-level screening
- Long bloom period from spring to fall
What doesn’t
- Small mature height limits screening to lower levels
- Deciduous — no winter foliage
7. Carolina Jasmine Plant, Live Evergreen Vine – 2 Bags
Carolina Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a fast-growing evergreen vine that excels at covering fences, trellises, and arbors with bright green foliage and fragrant yellow blooms. This listing ships two plants in biodegradable containers that allow roots to grow directly through the pot into surrounding soil, minimizing transplant shock. The vine can climb walls and fences, offering privacy coverage on vertical surfaces where trees cannot be planted.
Customers consistently use words like “healthiest plants” and “amazing condition” to describe their arrival. The plants are packaged with detailed care instructions specific to Carolina Jasmine, including how to manage shipping shock with light and water. One verified buyer noted the plants grew an inch in 20 days and produced the signature intoxicating fragrance when blooming.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade with moderate watering and is hardy in zones 3 through 10, making it one of the most versatile options for zone flexibility. The primary limitation is that it needs a structure to climb — it will not create a freestanding hedge. For renters or homeowners with existing chain-link fences, this vine can provide a quick evergreen cover that also smells incredible during bloom season.
What works
- Grows quickly on trellises and fences
- Evergreen with fragrant seasonal blooms
- Wide USDA zone range (3–10)
What doesn’t
- Requires a climbing structure or fence
- Not a freestanding hedging plant
Hardware & Specs Guide
Annual Growth Rate
The single most important metric for privacy plants is vertical gain per year. Evergreen options like Thuja Green Giant average 3 feet per year, while hybrid willows can reach 10 feet annually. Faster growth generally requires more water and sunlight. Evergreen vines like Carolina Jasmine cover vertical structures quickly but do not increase in width like shrubs or trees.
Mature Height and Width
A plant’s final dimensions determine how much space it needs and how long it remains effective. Thuja Green Giant reaches 40–60 feet tall — suitable for tall screens but requiring 15 feet of width at maturity. Clumping bamboo tops out at 25 feet with a narrower profile, while spirea stays under 3 feet, making it only a foreground layer. Always match mature height to your target screen elevation.
FAQ
How fast do quick growing privacy plants actually grow per year?
Will these plants provide privacy in winter?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best quick growing privacy plants winner is the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 8-Pack because it offers the best balance of evergreen persistence, reliable 3-foot annual growth, and well-packaged live plants that establish quickly in zones 5–9. If you need extreme speed and don’t mind winter bare branches, grab the 50 Hybrid Willow Trees for 10-foot annual gains. And for covering a fence or trellis with fragrant evergreen foliage, nothing beats the Carolina Jasmine Plant.