Looking to block out peering eyes from the other side of the fence? I would like my privacy sooner than later so here’s a list of the fastest growing palms and other privacy buffer plantings, at least for Central Florida.
Fast growing Florida palms
For a more immediate privacy screen and a tropical look and feel, choose one of these palms, or a cluster of all three.
Fishtail Palm Cariota mitis
- Grows faster in full sun than in shade
- Grows in full dense clusters
- Won’t grow as fast as bamboo
- Ideal for poolside or well-lit indoors
Areca Palm Dypsis lutescens
- Tolerates full sun to partial shade
- Place 3-6’ apart for hedge like planting
- Consider growing in containers for patio or balcony privacy
- A popular indoor plant as well
Paurotis palm (Everglades palm) Acoelorrhaphe wrightii
- Clustering, fan-leaved palm that can spread to 20 feet
- Prefers to grow in wet conditions, unlike other palms (hence the name ‘Everglades Palm’)
- Showy white flowers turn into golden drupes which then turn to black
Fast growing Florida privacy plantings
These, too, will give a tropical look and feel, and quickly.
Bamboo Bambusa spp
- The fastest natural way to form a privacy buffer
- Clumping bamboo is not invasive, only spreading a couple inches a year
- Hurricane resistant due to its strength and flexibility
Banana Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana
- If you can find a friend growing banana trees, ask them for some pups. Otherwise, local nurseries.
- Rhizomatic root system puts up new stalks each year
- Fruiting should occur 10-15 months after planting
- Leaves will die back when exposed to freeze
Oleander Nerium Oleander
- Flowers beautifully
- Easy to care for – thrives in most landscapes (even beachside)
- Toxic if ingested – consider children and pets and plant accordingly
Effective yet slower growing species for backyard privacy
Lady Palm Rhapis excelsa
- Forms a cluster 8 to 10 feet height
- Not necessarily drought tolerant; mildly cold and salt tolerant
- Fronds keep their deep green color best in the shade, but they’ll tolerate sun too
Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera
- Florida native that thrives in full sun and produces berries
- Easy to maintain and salt tolerant
- Host for butterflies and shelter for birds
Mast Tree Polyalthia longifolia ‘Pendula’
- An excellent Florida alternative for the Italian Cypress
- Grows 30-45’ tall in bright locations or partial shade
- Resilient and low maintenance
Fruiting shrubs for attractive fence lines and buffer planting
Fruiting shrubs are a great way to attract pollinators to the landscape. Some attractive and low maintenance fruiting shrubs for Florida gardens include:
Beautyberry Callicarpa americana
- Attractive flowers and berries.
- Hardy and drought tolerant
- Attracts pollinators
- Florida native
Wild Coffee Psychotria nervosa
- Versatile shrub, native to Florida
- Reaches 4 to 10 feet high and 4 to 8 feet wide, with a rounded growth habit
- Fruits and flowers attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife
Seagrape Coccoloba uvifera
- Can be grown as a shrub or tree
- Drought tolerant Florida native that grows in sun or shade
- Very little maintenance required to maintain desired shape
Of course there’s a variety of species listed here and your final choice will depend on your microclimate and desired look and feel of your outdoor space.