There are a number of beautiful plants you can grow in containers that are perfect for creating a privacy barrier.
Whether you are looking to create a secluded space in your front yard, backyard, patio or deck you will find all the best potted plants that you can grow for privacy.
You will find shrubs, flowers, and lovely grasses you can grow in containers.
Container Plants for Privacy
When I am planning out what plants to grow for privacy I first go to the location I wish to place them and take note of the space and how tall I need my privacy plants to be.
From there I measure the area so I know exactly how many potter plants I will need.
I find these steps really help me get an idea for how I want to utilize my space.
Taking the time is well worth it as you will spend less time later trying to fill in gaps in your privacy barrier.
For example, if I am planning to create privacy for my patio, I will not only sit in my patio chairs from all positions, I will also stand so I can tell how tall I want my privacy plants to be.
Take the time to write down your landscape measurements and estimates for how many potted plants you will need.
What Makes a Great Potted Plant for Privacy
At this time you will also start to visualize the type of colors and plants you want to use.
Will you be growing grass and flowers, maybe you only want to use container shrubs. No matter what you plan to grow, now is the time to plan the placement for each plant.
Plants ideal for creating a container privacy barrier have the following characteristics.
Adequate Height: It goes without saying that your potted plants should grow tall enough to block out the view of your intended area. It’s important to note how tall a plant will grow and ensure it is neither too short or too tall for your needs.
Plant Hardiness Zone: Make sure that you only grow plants that thrive in your region.
Foliage Density: Privacy plants are thick and dense ensuring they block out the view. Male sure to only select plants that create a dense wall of foliage.
Sun Requirements: Know how much sun your plants will get in their intended placements and select plants that will thrive in those sun conditions.
Color and Interest Level: Do you want to grow container plants that provide color throughout the year? Maybe you only want evergreen shrubs for your container privacy barrier. Understand what kind of landscape you want to create and select plants that provide the color and interest you are looking for.
Now, keeping all that in mind, let’s get to the best potted privacy plants you can grow at your home.
Best Potted Shrubs for Privacy
The most popular type of plant for a natural privacy wall are evergreen shrubs. They provide dense foliage and year round privacy perfect for growing in containers.
There are many types of shrubs you can grow in pots, so I recommend incorporating them in your natural privacy wall.
These evergreen shrubs will provide year round privacy as well as wonderful color for interest no matter what season it is.
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Plant Hardiness Zones: 2-8
Mature Height: 10-15′
Sun Requirements: Full sun or partial shade
Maintenance Level: Low
Arborvitae are probably the most popular privacy shrub, and they are an excellent option for growing in containers when you want a tall grower.
These evergreen shrubs will provide lovely green foliage all year. They are easy to maintain and can handle harsher climates.
Because these shrubs grow quite tall, they will require large pots and high quality soil. Plant them in pots that hold around 20 gallons of soil and place them in full sun or partial shade.
Boxwood
Plant Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Mature Height: Depending on variety boxwood will reach heights of 1-20′
Sun Requirements: Full sun, partial sun, shade
Maintenance Level: Low
Another popular privacy shrub, the boxwood is a great container plant. There are numerous varieties to choose from so depending on the height you desire, there is a boxwood for your needs.
The boxwood is easy to maintain and will provide green foliage all year. They are easy to prune and shape making them a great choice for those who want to shape their privacy shrub.
They thrive in most sun conditions and require little maintenance making them a great all around privacy plant.
Lavender
Plant Hardiness Zones: 5-10
Mature Height: 1-3′
Sun Requirements: Full sun
Maintenance Level: Low
If you are looking to add color and fragrance to your privacy barrier, the lavender is a wonderful option.
Plant is large containers and make sure to position them to receive full sun and you will be richly rewarded.
Lavender plants are a great plant to place among evergreen shrubs for color and interest.
Prune them following their spring bloom and your lavender will bloom again in late summer.
Hydrangea
Plant Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Mature Height: Depending on variety hydrangea reach heights from 1′ to 20′
Sun Requirements: Full sun, partial sun, shade
Maintenance Level: Low
Hydrangea are great container plants that provide privacy and lots of interest. The large clusters of flowers are eye catching and they provide color through much of the year.
Some of the best varieties for privacy are the large panicle hygrangeas and the mophead type.
While they are easy to care for, they do require consistent watering in order to thrive.
Best Potted Flowers for Privacy
If you love the idea of vibrant colors in your privacy barrier, then potted flowers must be incorporated with your shrubs and grasses.
There are many annual and perennial flowers you can grow in pots to enhance the interest of your privacy wall.
The best flowers and bulbs for privacy provide dense structure and can handle wind and the tough conditions of containers.
Here are the privacy flowers best suited for growing in containers.
- Zinnias
- Sunflowers
- Black-eyed Susan
- Coneflower
- Daisies
- Lilies
- Elephant ears
Best Potted Grasses for Privacy
Grasses are often overlooked when creating a privacy barrier, but don’t make that mistake! Grasses grow well in containers and create an interesting addition to any privacy wall.
Along with shrubs and flowers, grasses can create a lovely and interesting privacy barrier that will provide seclusion all year long.
They not only add an interesting look, they increase the feelings of tranquility as they sway and bristle in the wind.
Grasses are one of the best container plants for privacy, select from these varieties when growing your privacy barrier.
Pampas Grass
If you’ve ever been by the ocean then you’ve seen this lovely grass. Pampas grass is a real eye catcher and grows well in pots.
It grows best in full sun so keep that in mind when positioning it. This grass is easy to care for and grows quite fast. There are a number of varieties but the Dwarf Pampas is my favorite type for containers.
Switchgrass
Switchgrass grows tall and thrives in pots making it a great option for adding to your privacy barrier.
It grows best in drier climates and it provides color late in the summer for an interesting grass. Switchgrass grows in tight clumps and is quite easy to care for.
Depending on where you live, there are numerous types of switchgrass you can select from. Here are my recommendations for privacy container switchgrass.
Lowland Switchgarss
- Kanlow
- Summer
- Alamo
Upland Switchgass
- Pathfinder
- Blackwell
- Carthage
- Trailblazer
Miscanthus Grass
There are many varieties of miscanthus grass and any of them would do well in containers. They are easy to care for and provide flowering plumes in the summer for a lovely and interesting addition to any privacy barrier.
The best varieties for growing in containers are the following.
- Gold Breeze
- Morning Light
- Purpurascens
Fountain Grass
Fountain grass is an excellent container grass perfect for any privacy barrier. There are many varieties to choose from, so no matter what height you need you will find a variety for your privacy needs.
Fountain grass is easy to care for and create a lovely screen for yards, decks, or patios.
Here are my recommended types of fountain grass to plant for privacy.
- Fox Trot
- Cassian
- National Arboretum
- Moudry
Bottom Line
You can mix and match many of these privacy plants to create a truly unique privacy barrier for your home.
These plants are easy to care for and offer year round privacy and interest. They all thrive in pots and will provide you with years of beauty and privacy.