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Waiting a decade for privacy is a losing strategy. When you need a living wall that blocks neighbors, wind, and road noise without the multi-year wait, choosing a cedar that pushes three to five feet of vertical growth per season is the only sane option. The wrong pick costs you time, money, and a patchy hedge that never fills in.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years poring over nursery data sheets, comparing growth rates across cultivars, and aggregating hundreds of owner reviews to find which cedars actually deliver on their promises of rapid establishment and dense coverage.
This guide breaks down the top live specimens and maintenance shortcuts so you can confidently select the right fast growing cedar trees for your lot and timeline.
How To Choose The Best Fast Growing Cedar Trees
Not every cedar pushes the vertical speed you need to turn bare dirt into a green barrier within two growing seasons. You have to match the cultivar’s zone tolerance, mature footprint, and root establishment rhythm to your property’s sun exposure and soil drainage. The table below highlights the critical differences between the top options.
Growth Rate and Final Size
Thuja Green Giant leads the pack with three to five feet of vertical gain each year after the first season, maxing out near 40 to 60 feet. Southern Red Cedar is slightly more moderate, adding about two feet annually but topping out at 40 feet with a tighter columnar form. If your available width is under 15 feet, the Green Giant’s pyramidal spread may still fit, but for narrow corridors the Southern Red Cedar’s slimmer silhouette is more forgiving.
Zone Adaptability and Soil Tolerance
Most fast-growing cedars prefer full sun and well-drained loam, but the Southern Red Cedar is notably drought-tolerant once established and handles sandy or clay soils that would slow other species. The Thuja Green Giant is rated for USDA Zones 5 through 9, covering most of the continental United States, while the Southern Red Cedar is best suited for warmer southern regions. Always check your local hardiness zone before ordering bulk packs.
Bundle Size and Planting Strategy
Buying smaller starter plants in multi-packs (often 6 to 12 inches tall) is the most cost-effective route for large hedges, but it demands consistent irrigation during the first month and protection from deer. Gallon-sized specimens give you a head start with thicker root balls and can reach eye level a full year sooner, though the per-plant cost is significantly higher. For a 100-foot property line, the math favors the smaller pack if you can commit to drip irrigation.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant (Florida Foliage) | Mid-Range | Bulk hedge planting | 3–5 ft/year growth rate | Amazon |
| 5 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Mid-Range | Easy starter hedge | 6–12 inches tall 5-pack | Amazon |
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Mid-Range | Large windbreak screen | Mature height 40 ft | Amazon |
| Southern Red Cedar | Mid-Range | Drought-tolerant screen | Drought tolerant once established | Amazon |
| VIVATREES 4FT Artificial Cedar | Premium | Instant zero-care decor | 48-inch height set of 2 | Amazon |
| Mavis’s Diary 4ft Artificial Cedar | Premium | Realistic faux year-round | UV and water resistant TPE | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1 Gal 5-Pack | Premium | Best starting size for speed | 1-gallon pot per plant | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Thuja Green Giant – 3 Live Plants
The Thuja Green Giant hybrid from Florida Foliage is the gold standard for anyone planting a hedge that needs to close in fast. With known three-to-five-foot annual vertical pushes after the first season, this is the cultivar that turns a two-foot starter into a six-foot screen in under two years. The feathery, vibrant green foliage holds color year-round and packs tightly enough to block sight lines and wind even before the trees reach mature width.
Owner reports on this 3-plant pack indicate roughly 95% survival when paired with drip irrigation, though a few shipments suffered heat damage or minor stem breakage during transit. Several buyers who ordered 40 to 200 units confirmed the value proposition works best for bulk planting across long property lines. The plants arrived in 5-pound shipping bundles with moist soil, and up-potting into 4-inch nursery containers immediately improved establishment rates for those waiting out frost danger.
For the price per plant, this is the most economical route to a fast screen if you can supply consistent water for the first month. The feathery texture and pyramidal shape require no pruning to maintain their natural form, and the hybrid genetics make this cultivar adaptable to full sun or partial shade across a wide soil range.
What works
- Proven 3-5 ft annual growth rate after first season
- High survival rate with drip irrigation
- No pruning needed for natural pyramidal shape
What doesn’t
- Shipping delays in extreme heat can reduce viability
- Some starters arrived smaller than advertised
2. 5 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae – 6-12″ Tall
This 5-pack of Green Giant Arborvitae from a generic nursery supplier is the entry-level buy for homeowners testing whether fast cedars will thrive in their microclimate. Each plant ships in its own 2.5-inch pot at 6 to 12 inches tall, which gives the root ball a fighting chance during transplant compared to bare-root alternatives. The natural pyramid shape needs zero pruning, and the foliage turns a subtle bronze tone in winter for visual interest.
Customer feedback is mixed but leans positive: most trees arrived healthy and well-packed, with several buyers reporting that all five survived and showed growth within the first month. A smaller number of verified purchases reported that the trees died quickly after planting, which usually traces to insufficient watering or planting outside the recommended Zone 5 window. The clay soil tolerance listed on the specs sheet matters if your lot is heavy in loam or compacted clay.
At this price tier you are paying for convenience and low risk per plant rather than mature size. For a test hedge of twenty feet or a gap filler in an existing row, this pack delivers enough genetic material to see which spots get enough sun and drainage.
What works
- Potted starters reduce transplant shock
- Natural pyramid shape requires zero pruning
- Good variety of customer reports for zone matching
What doesn’t
- Inconsistent survival rate in some batches
- Generic brand with no dedicated customer support
3. 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae – 7-10″ Tall
The 10-pack from Panter Nursery is the volume play for anyone fencing off a 60-to-70-foot property line at six-to-seven-foot spacing. Each starter arrives as a potted plant in its own soil, standing 7 to 10 inches tall, with the genetic potential to hit 40 feet in height and 15 feet in width at full maturity. The recommended spacing for a quick screen is tighter than the mature width suggests, but that aggressive planting forces the hedge to fill in within two years.
Real-world reviews from buyers in North Missouri confirm these trees survived winter and doubled in size during their first growing season when watered two to three times weekly via drip bucket and occasional fertilizing. Several owners noted that deer browsing damaged small plants until fencing was added, and that repotting into 1-gallon nursery pots for the first season improved survival. The 5-day guarantee from the nursery is conditional on your zone matching their recommendations, so verify your hardiness zone before ordering.
If you are planting a windbreak or security screen and can handle the upfront watering regimen, this 10-pack offers the fastest path to a 40-foot-tall wall at the lowest per-unit cost among genuine multi-packs. The partial shade tolerance shown in the specs gives you flexibility for east- or west-facing lots.
What works
- Doubled in size in one year with regular watering
- 10-unit pack covers 60+ feet of linear screen
- 5-day guarantee if planted in correct zone
What doesn’t
- Deer damage potential without fencing
- Winter browning normal but can be mistaken for death
4. Southern Red Cedar – 3 Live Plants
The Southern Red Cedar from Florida Foliage breaks the mold of thirsty fast-growing evergreens. As Juniperus virginiana silicicola, this native tree has evolved to thrive in sandy and well-drained soils with minimal irrigation once the root system is established. It tops out around 40 feet with a naturally symmetrical form, making it a strong alternative for xeriscaping projects where water conservation is a priority.
Buyer reports from west Texas confirm that all three seedlings arrived healthy and stayed vigorous through the first month in arid conditions. One owner noted that the plants arrived looking dormant and half-dead, but after three weeks in a raised bed with regular water they greened up and began showing new growth. The aromatic wood and reddish-brown bark add ornamental value beyond the privacy screen function, and the tree is notably resistant to cedar apple rust.
The trade-off for drought tolerance is a slightly slower initial vertical push compared to Thuja Green Giant — expect around two feet per year rather than three to five. For southern landscapes with sandy soil or periodic dry spells, this cedar offers reliability that the faster hybrids cannot match without consistent supplemental irrigation.
What works
- Drought tolerant once established, ideal for xeriscaping
- Naturally symmetrical form with attractive bark
- Resistant to cedar apple rust
What doesn’t
- Slower annual growth than Green Giant hybrids
- May arrive looking dormant, causing concern
5. VIVATREES 4FT Artificial Cedar Topiary – Set of 2
The VIVATREES artificial cedar topiary set is a category outlier: it delivers the visual of a mature evergreen without a single day of growth or maintenance. Each 48-inch tree comes planted in a rustic barrel planter with faux iron-hoop details that mimic aged oak weathering, making it a strong candidate for farmhouse porches, cabin entries, or indoor spaces where live trees cannot survive. The plastic foliage sways in the breeze for added realism.
Customer satisfaction is sharply divided. Several verified buyers praised the realistic look and the convenience of zero care, but a significant number reported that the trees looked sparse and cheap, that the planters were lightweight and prone to tipping, and that returning the set is cost-prohibitive because the buyer pays return shipping. One owner described the product as a boxwood lookalike rather than a true cedar shape, which may disappoint buyers expecting the full, layered profile of a real cedar.
As a decor accent that requires no sun, water, or soil prep, this set has a niche audience. But if your goal is a realistic privacy screen that reads as a real hedge from a distance, these topiaries are better suited for flanking a front door than screening a property line.
What works
- Zero maintenance, no watering or pruning
- Rustic barrel planter adds farmhouse aesthetic
- Branches sway in wind for realistic movement
What doesn’t
- Return shipping cost makes risk high
- Lightweight planter may tip in wind
- Shape and fullness don’t match product photos
6. Mavis’s Diary 4ft Artificial Cedar Topiary – Set of 2
Mavis’s Diary offers a stronger take on the artificial cedar category with TPE material that feels soft and natural to the touch, plus UV and water resistance rated for outdoor use. The set of two 48-inch trees comes in sturdy PP pots that can be placed inside larger decorative planters, and the leaves can be individually adjusted to create a full, natural-looking silhouette. Owners report that the trees look genuine enough to fool bumblebees, which started landing on the foliage during the fluffing process.
Buyers who installed these in 24-inch pots with bricks for ballast confirmed the trees withstand wind well and maintain their fullness after branch arrangement. The set is heavier than the VIVATREES option at 29.21 pounds combined, which actually improves stability for exposed porch placements. Several reviews noted that the realistic appearance makes this a good choice for homes with deer that would destroy live landscape plants.
While no artificial tree can substitute for a living privacy screen, this set is the most convincing cedar replica at this price range. The TPE material does not shed leaves, making it safe for homes with pets and babies, and the UV resistance ensures the green color does not fade after a season in direct sun.
What works
- Soft TPE material looks and feels real
- UV and water resistant for outdoor longevity
- Adjustable branches allow custom shaping
What doesn’t
- Heavier than other faux options, requires stable base
- No substitute for living screen coverage
7. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1 Gallon 5-Pack
The Perfect Plants 1-gallon 5-pack skips the starter stage entirely. Each Thuja Green Giant ships in a full gallon nursery pot with an established root system that can hit the ground running, reaching 50 to 60 feet at full maturity with a 20-foot spread. The plants typically measure close to 2 feet tall on arrival, which eliminates an entire year of waiting compared to 6-inch plugs. The lush green foliage smells distinctly of Christmas tree when crushed, and the pyramidal shape is already evident in the nursery pot.
Customer feedback is uniformly excellent, with multiple buyers noting the exceptional packaging quality: plastic wrap retains moisture during transit, paper wraps protect the root ball, and thick cardboard boxes prevent crushing. All verified purchasers reported healthy arrivals with strong root systems, even when shipped from East Coast to West Coast. One repeat buyer stated they would order from this seller again regardless of price, citing consistent plant quality.
The per-plant premium is the highest in this guide, but the 1-gallon pot size effectively buys you a full season of growth. For homeowners who want a 6-foot privacy screen by the end of year two rather than year three, this is the most time-efficient option among live cedars. The recommended spring planting window and regular watering schedule are standard for Thuja, and the Zone 5-9 hardiness covers nearly the entire contiguous United States.
What works
- 1-gallon root ball eliminates first-year lag
- Excellent packaging ensures damage-free transit
- Consistent quality praised by repeat buyers
What doesn’t
- Highest per-plant cost in the list
- Mature 20-foot width may overwhelm small lots
Hardware & Specs Guide
Annual Growth Rate
The defining metric for any fast-growing cedar is the vertical push per growing season. Thuja Green Giant hybrids consistently deliver 3 to 5 feet per year after their first season in the ground, while Southern Red Cedar averages closer to 2 feet. Growth rate depends heavily on soil quality, sun exposure, and consistent moisture during the first 12 months, so the advertised rate is an upper-bound value achieved under ideal conditions.
Mature Dimensions and Spacing
Thuja Green Giant can reach 40 to 60 feet tall with a 12- to 20-foot spread at full maturity. For a dense privacy screen, space plants 5 to 7 feet apart. Southern Red Cedar stays narrower with a columnar habit, making it a better fit for tight side yards. Plant spacing directly affects how quickly the canopy closes; closer spacing forces faster vertical competition but may require thinning later.
FAQ
How long does it take for Thuja Green Giant to reach 6 feet tall?
Can I plant fast growing cedars in partial shade?
What causes winter browning on Thuja Green Giant?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the fast growing cedar trees winner is the Thuja Green Giant 3-Pack from Florida Foliage because it combines proven 3-5 feet annual growth with an economical price per plant for bulk hedging. If you want the absolute fastest start with no first-year lag, grab the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1-Gallon 5-Pack. And for drought-prone southern yards, nothing beats the Southern Red Cedar 3-Pack for reliability without constant irrigation.