Best Fast-Growing Screen Plants for Backyard Privacy
For a fast-growing privacy screen, choose willow cuttings for a living fence, Thuja Green Giant trees for evergreen coverage, or elephant grass for a tall seasonal barrier. Bamboo seeds offer an ornamental option, but they need warm germination conditions and time to establish. The right choice depends on how quickly you need coverage, your climate, available sunlight, and whether you want a permanent or seasonal screen.
| Plant | Best For | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Green Wall Willow | Quickly planted living fences | Plant cuttings 2–3 feet apart |
| Thuja Green Giant | Evergreen privacy | Can reach substantial mature size |
| Elephant Grass | Tall, warm-season screening | Needs full sun |
| Giant Green Bamboo Seeds | Seed-grown bamboo screens | Warm germination conditions are recommended |
| Purple Black Bamboo Seeds | Distinctive bamboo planting | Seed-starting takes time |
Green Wall Willow Cuttings
Best for: Gardeners who want to establish a living fence, windbreak, or natural property border from cuttings. This product includes 10 willow cuttings, which the listing says can be planted directly in soil at 2–3-foot intervals.
The seller describes the willow as fast-rooting, with dense foliage and thick branching that can create a green barrier when planted in rows. It is a better fit for buyers who prefer a row of plants over starting a screen from seed. The listing also identifies privacy, wind protection, and noise reduction as intended uses.
Limitation: The provided product information does not specify mature height or local growing conditions. Check that willow suits your site before planting.
Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
Best for: Buyers seeking evergreen screening trees rather than a seasonal grass barrier. This eight-pack includes 2-foot Thuja Green Giant arborvitae. The product information describes dense, dark green foliage and a wide-bottomed pyramidal shape.
Choose this if year-round foliage and a tree-form screen are priorities. The listing says the trees are considered a fast-growing privacy option across much of the United States and can be pruned to maintain a desired size. It also notes that mature trees can reach up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide, so spacing and long-term size matter.
Limitation: These trees can become very large if left unpruned. Plan for their stated mature dimensions before choosing a planting location.
Elephant Grass Seeds
Best for: Gardeners in warm, sunny locations who want tall ornamental grass for a privacy screen or windbreak. The listing describes elephant grass as capable of reaching up to 15 feet and identifies landscaping and erosion control as additional uses.
Unlike evergreen trees, this is a grass option suited to a sunny garden. The product information recommends at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily and says the plant grows actively from late spring through early fall in warm conditions. It can adapt to different soil types, but well-draining soil is preferred.
Limitation: Avoid waterlogged or compacted areas, and do not choose it for a shaded site if you want the strong vertical growth described by the seller.
Giant Green Bamboo Seeds
Best for: Buyers who want to grow bamboo from seed for an ornamental garden or intended privacy screen. This packet is listed as containing more than 500 seeds. The seller presents giant bamboo as a fast-growing option for privacy or wind protection.
The product instructions recommend warm conditions above 80°F for germination and soaking seeds in warm water for up to 24 hours before planting. Choose this if you are prepared to start plants from seed and can provide the recommended warmth. It may suit gardeners who value a large seed quantity and are willing to manage the early growing stages.
Limitation: Seeds must germinate and establish before they can provide screening. The listing does not provide a guaranteed timeline to a usable privacy barrier.
Purple Black Bamboo Seeds
Best for: Gardeners who want bamboo for a privacy screen and prefer an unusual color-focused planting. The listing describes these as more than 300 purple-black bamboo seeds and promotes the variety for privacy or wind protection.
Like the green bamboo seed option, this product’s planting guidance calls for temperatures above 80°F and recommends soaking seeds in warm water for up to 24 hours. It is a better choice for buyers who want to start bamboo themselves and are interested in the listed purple-black appearance.
Limitation: This is a seed product, not an established screen. Germination and plant growth take time, and the provided features do not state how soon coverage will form.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Fast-Growing Screen Plant
Do you need screening quickly or eventually?
Willow cuttings are described as quick to root, while bamboo options require seed germination and establishment. Thuja trees are supplied as 2-foot plants, so they are already started but still need time to grow. No listing provides a guaranteed date for a complete privacy barrier.
Should the screen stay green year-round?
Thuja is the clearest option here for evergreen foliage. Elephant grass is described as growing actively during the warmer part of the year, so it is better suited to seasonal screening. The bamboo and willow listings emphasize foliage and privacy but do not specify year-round coverage.
What conditions can you provide?
Elephant grass is best for full-sun sites with well-draining soil. The bamboo seed listings recommend warm germination above 80°F. Before choosing any plant, compare its stated needs with your sunlight, soil, climate, and available planting space.
How much room should you allow?
Willow cuttings are recommended at 2–3-foot intervals. Thuja can reach up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide at maturity, according to its listing. For products without stated mature dimensions, confirm expected size and spacing before planting a row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which listed plant is best for a living fence?
Green Wall Willow is specifically presented as a living fence option, with planting guidance of 2–3 feet between cuttings.
Which option is evergreen?
Thuja Green Giant is described as an evergreen with dense, dark green foliage.
Can elephant grass grow in shade?
The product information recommends at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for strong vertical growth, so it is not the best match for a shaded screen.
How should bamboo seeds be prepared?
The bamboo listings recommend warm conditions above 80°F and soaking seeds in warm water for up to 24 hours before planting.
Which plant reaches the greatest stated height?
The Thuja listing gives a mature height of up to 60 feet, while the elephant grass listing states a height of up to 15 feet.