Top 15 Plants for Privacy From Neighbors

Using plants for privacy is a fantastic alternative to building a fence, while also enhancing the beauty of your backyard. To help you achieve the perfect privacy setup, we consulted experts from two of the nation’s top plant growers—Monrovia and Costa Farms—to recommend their favorite plant varieties for creating a natural privacy barrier.

From false cypress trees that create a natural screen to climbing vines in outdoor containers that wind their way up trellises, there’s an option to suit every style. Choose plants that thrive in your planting zone, then have some patience as they grow. The result will be worth the wait as these plants transform your outdoor space into a secluded personal oasis.

Things to Keep in Mind When Selecting Plants for Privacy

There are a few key questions you should consider when selecting plants for your garden specifically to enhance privacy:

Do I need year-round privacy?

Certain trees and shrubs shed their leaves in the late fall, which means you’ll lose the privacy cover once that happens. If you want year-round privacy, consider choosing evergreen plants (such as arborvitae or juniper) from the list below.

How much privacy do I actually need?

If you want to maintain the ability to see over the plants to chat with a neighbor, choose a shrub or vine that can be trimmed or trained on a trellis to fit your space. However, if your goal is to completely block out your neighbors, you'll need to select plants that can grow to at least eight feet tall.

How much space can I allocate for the plants?

Some privacy plants can be quite wide as well as tall, which means they can occupy a lot of space. If you're dealing with a smaller garden, consider opting for vines or slimmer plants that provide privacy without taking up too much of your yard.

Are there any local regulations or laws regarding my plantings?

Local laws might restrict privacy plantings that obstruct sight lines at intersections, and homeowners' associations may have their own guidelines about what’s permissible. You should also check for any invasive species listed in your state, as some privacy plants can spread quickly and become problematic in your area.

How urgently do I need privacy?

While certain plants, like arborvitae, grow quickly to provide privacy, others may take several years to fully mature. If you require privacy in a hurry, you can often purchase more established trees and plants, though they tend to be pricier than younger ones.

1. Burgundy Queen Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea hybrid 'Monharr')

• Water: Needs more water during establishment phase
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil
• Light: Thrives in full sunlight
• Zones: 10 to 11

This rapidly growing climbing vine is perfect for adding privacy from neighbors. "Burgundy Queen is a strong climber, reaching up to 30 feet in length. It’s ideal for winding through trellises and fences for seclusion or as a striking feature in large patio containers," says Georgia Clay, plants manager at Monrovia.

"Burgundy Queen showcases beautiful blooms and vibrant foliage," says Clay. "The fresh growth leaves are a stunning, deep wine-red, while the bracts resemble flowers in a bold burgundy tone."

2. Darkstar Purple Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cistena)

• Water: Water weekly after planting; only during dry spells once established
• Soil: Standard garden soil
• Light: Thrives in full or partial sunlight
• Zones: 3 to 9

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry features dense branches that start from the ground and grow up to 5 feet tall. This border plant brings both privacy and vibrant color to your yard, with purple-red to maroon leaves. In spring, enjoy its delicate pink to white flowers.

3. Jade Waves Fernspray False Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'MonYur')

• Water: Requires consistently moist soil, with more frequent watering when first planted
• Soil: Well-draining soil is essential
• Light: Full sunlight is ideal
• Zones: 4 to 8

Plant a series of false cypresses to create a privacy barrier with their evergreen, fern-like leaves. They typically grow up to 4 feet wide and reach a height of 8 feet. 'The gracefully arching branches and light green foliage of Jade Waves bring a peaceful ambiance to the garden,' says Clay.

4. Sparkler Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum 'SMVDE')

• Water: Needs more frequent watering until fully established
• Soil: Prefers moist, well-draining soil
• Light: Thrives in full or partial sunlight
• Zones: 3 to 8

Sparkler Arrowwood Viburnum features glossy green leaves paired with delicate white blooms, along with berries that attract birds to your garden. When planted together, these viburnum shrubs can create a flowering hedge along the edge of your garden.

5. Emerald Colonnade Holly (Ilex x 'RutHol1')

• Water: Water generously when first planted; once established, it is drought-tolerant
• Soil: Prefers light, well-draining soil
• Light: Thrives in full sun
• Zones: 7 to 9

To create a lush privacy barrier, let Emerald Colonnade Holly naturally grow into its pyramidal form. In areas where privacy is less of a concern, this dense evergreen also works wonderfully as a topiary. Left unchecked, it can climb to 12 feet, offering a tall border around your space.

6. Mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.)

• Water: Maintain a consistently moist soil
• Soil: Sandy, well-draining soil
• Light: Requires full sun exposure
• Zones: 9 to 11

Mandevilla is available in two types—climbing and mounding—so, for privacy purposes, opt for the climbing variety. Plant in spring once the frost risk has passed, in a sunny spot.

"This quick-growing vine boasts red, pink, or white blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, rapidly climbing up trellises, arbors, or other supports," says Justin Hancock of Costa Farms. "Bonus: It's usually overlooked by deer and rabbits!"

7. Jasmine (Jasminus)

• Water: Ensure the soil remains consistently moist
• Soil: Rich, well-draining soil
• Light: Full sun or partial shade
• Zones: 7 to 9 (variety dependent)

"Similar to Mandevilla, there are several varieties of Jasmine that grow as vines, perfect for covering walls or creating privacy with their lush green foliage and fragrant white flowers," says Hancock. Different Jasmine varieties are hardy in varying zones, so always check the care label before selecting one. Certain varieties can also be grown indoors as houseplants.

8. Blue Arrow Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Arrow')

• Water: Water consistently during the initial planting period
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Light: Full sun exposure
• Zones: 4 to 9

With its striking cool blue foliage, Blue Arrow Juniper complements a variety of plants. Once settled in, it becomes quite drought-tolerant and can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F.

"[It’s] a resilient evergreen shrub that reaches around 3 feet in width and grows about 12 feet tall," explains Hancock, "making it an ideal choice for a living privacy screen without occupying too much space in the yard."

9. Horstmann's Silberlocke Korean Fir (Abies koreana 'Horstmann's Silberlocke')

• Water: Maintain moist soil
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Light: Full sun exposure
• Zones: 5 to 7

This Korean Fir (Abies koreana 'Horstmann's Silberlocke') is an excellent choice for creating privacy in your yard. "It's tough for me to choose a favorite plant, but I truly love this evergreen tree," says Hancock. "It grows slowly but has dense branches, making it perfect for providing privacy."

With patience, it will evolve into a magnificent 10-foot-tall, 6-foot-wide privacy screen in approximately 10 years. "It thrives in areas with cool summers, full sun to partial shade, and moist, well-draining soil," explains Hancock.

10. Arborvitae (Thuja)

• Water: Provide weekly water when first planted
• Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
• Light: Full sun or partial shade
• Zones: 2 to 7

Arborvitae is a group of rapidly growing evergreen trees and shrubs that boast thick, soft, vibrant green foliage. The most commonly used species for living fences include American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’), and the baby giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata x standishii ‘Virginian’).

Arborvitae's vertical growth habit and year-round greenery make them ideal for privacy screens. They're fast-growing, easy to maintain, and cold-tolerant. The American variety can grow 20 to 40 feet tall, making it a perfect choice for larger gardens, especially those requiring both privacy and a windbreak. The other varieties grow between 12 to 15 feet, making them suitable for gardens of any size.

11. Spartan Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’)

• Water: Water regularly when initially planted; once settled, it becomes drought-tolerant
• Soil: Dry, well-draining soil
• Light: Full sun
• Zones: 4 to 9

The 'Spartan' (Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’) is a graceful, fast-growing, columnar evergreen, ideal for a neat, formal hedge. Its dark green, soft, needle-like foliage thrives in full sun. A row of this juniper variety forms a solid, dense screen that reaches 15 to 20 feet tall, offering both privacy and wind protection.

12. Moonglow Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum 'Moonglow')

• Water: Deep, regular watering when initially planted; avoid excess moisture
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Light: Full sun
• Zones: 3 to 7

What makes the ‘Moonglow’ (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Moonglow’) stand out from its columnar cousins is its striking silvery-blue, soft, feathery foliage. With a tall growth habit ranging from 15 to 20 feet, it’s an excellent choice for a living fence, windbreak, and noise reduction. For optimal growth, plant in full sun.

13. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

• Water: Maintain moist soil, but avoid waterlogging
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Light: Full sun to full shade
• Zones: 6 to 8

The cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) offers year-round privacy with its lush evergreen foliage and dense, wide-spreading growth. Additionally, it produces striking, fragrant white flowers in the spring.

Known also as English laurel, this tall shrub (10 to 20 feet) thrives in challenging conditions. Though it favors full sun, it’s adaptable to various light conditions, including dense shade. It's drought-tolerant and not particular about soil type.

14. Magical Amore Holly (Ilex x meserveae 'Amore')

• Water: Maintain moist soil
• Soil: Loamy, well-draining soil
• Light: Full or partial sun
• Zones: 5 to 9

The holly family (Ilex) consists of approximately 480 species, including both deciduous and evergreen varieties, as well as trees, shrubs, and climbing vines. The classic English holly is a familiar holiday sight, but its relative, Magical® Amore Holly (Ilex x meserveae 'Amore'), makes a superior hedge choice.

With dense, prickly leaves, holly plants can be difficult to prune. However, they form an almost impenetrable barrier that discourages intruders—both human and animal—from entering your space. This variety typically grows between 5 to 7 feet tall.

15. Japanese Euonymus

• Water: Ensure thorough watering as the plant becomes established; drought-resistant once mature
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil
• Light: Grows well in both full sun and full shade
• Zones: 6 to 9

This versatile evergreen shrub, known by names such as Japanese Spindle, Box-Leaf Euonymus, and Evergreen Euonymus (pronounced you-AHN-eh-muss), is perfect for enhancing privacy in a compact landscape. It features small, glossy, leathery green leaves and thrives in a range of lighting conditions, from full sun to heavy shade.

The Japanese Euonymus is a resilient, woody shrub that can reach up to 15 feet in height. It thrives in hot and dry conditions and can withstand moderate salt exposure. For vibrant color, seek out variegated varieties with striking yellow and green foliage.

16. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

• Water: Water weekly after planting; during dry spells, continue watering once established
• Soil: Requires well-draining soil
• Light: Thrives in both full and partial sun
• Zones: 3 to 8

These majestic green shrubs offer substantial coverage for your landscape, reaching heights of up to 15 feet and spreading 10 feet wide. Available in both evergreen and deciduous varieties, they boast rich green foliage and delicate summer blooms, followed by small black fruit.

Be aware that the leaves and fruit of privet hedges can be harmful to both people and pets.

17. Holboellia Vine (Holboellia brachyandra)

• Water: Maintain soil moisture
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Light: Full to partial sunlight
• Zones: 8 to 10

This lovely evergreen vine produces striking, aromatic flowers in the spring. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and requires a trellis or similar support structure to create a private space. Fun fact: It's also referred to as the sausage vine, due to the sausage-shaped fruits it produces.

18. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

• Water: Prefers moist soil, but becomes drought-tolerant as it matures
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Light: Full or partial sunlight
• Zones: 5 to 8

This vibrant plant produces thick, lush foliage and large, colorful blooms that continue to brighten your garden throughout the summer and fall. Once established, it grows one to two feet per year, reaching a mature height of over 12 feet.

These plants have a tendency to produce many seedlings, which can be difficult to remove from your garden. To prevent your Rose of Sharon from spreading, be diligent about deadheading the flowers.

19. Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala)

• Water: Maintain moist soil, but avoid waterlogging
• Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
• Light: Full to partial sunlight
• Zones: 4 to 9

One of the most cherished flowering shrubs, this variety of climbing hydrangea can grow up to 60 feet tall and 6 feet wide. It provides excellent coverage when trained over structures like arbors, trellises, or fences. Keep in mind that it can become quite heavy, so ensure you have a sturdy support structure to hold it.

20. American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

• Water: Maintain moist conditions for plants
• Soil: Well-draining, moist soil is ideal
• Light: Thrives in full or partial sunlight
• Zones: Grows well in zones 3 to 9

This native plant not only provides privacy but also offers edible elderberries. Its white summer flowers yield dark, tart fruit, perfect for baking or making jams.

21. Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

• Water: Water regularly when planting, then only during dry spells without rain
• Soil: Acidic, moist, well-draining soil is preferred
• Light: Full sunlight exposure
• Zones: Zones 6 to 9 are ideal

This low-maintenance tree offers excellent privacy, growing up to 60 feet tall, and provides stunning, long-lasting blooms from summer through fall. Crepe myrtle is heat and drought-tolerant, making it a perfect choice for Southern landscapes.