12 Low Budget Tall Potted Plants to Create Patio Privacy

Creating a private oasis in your outdoor living space can be done without breaking the bank. With the right tall potted plant choices, you can easily block views and unwanted sights on a budget

When selecting plants, consider your climate zone, sunlight availability, mature plant height, and budget. luckily, many fast-growing tall plants that thrive in containers are very affordable

Here are 12 of the best low budget tall potted plants to create patio privacy:

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are one of the fastest growing and tallest annual flowers perfect for a quick privacy screen. Their bright yellow petals and brown centers create a cheerful backdrop.

• Grow 3-12 feet tall depending on variety
• Full sun lovers
• Grow well in containers at least 12 inches deep
• Cost around $1 a seed packet

Bamboo

Bamboo offers tropical appeal and provides a dense foliage screen. It’s also one of the fastest growing plants, shooting up by several feet each year. Look for clumping varieties that won’t spread invasively.

• Grow 10-20 feet tall
• Do well in full sun or part shade
• Require a large container or half whiskey barrel planter
• Purchase a starter plant for $15-30

Elephant Ear

The huge leaves of elephant ear plants make them excellent for blocking views. Their bold foliage adds drama to patios and porches.

• Grow up to 6 feet tall
• Prefer partial shade in hot climates
• Need a container at least 12-24 inches deep
• Bulbs or starter plants cost $10-20 each

Pampas Grass

Pampas grass is a fast grower that shoots up plumes up to 10 feet tall in just one season. Their fluffy cream or pink plumes wave gracefully in the wind.

• Grow 6-10 feet tall
• Require full sun
• Need good drainage
• Starter plants available for $10-15

Fountain Grass

Fountain grass makes a light, airy privacy screen with burgundy-blushed foliage and delicate plumes. It’s fast growing but less invasive than pampas grass.

• Grows 3-5 feet tall
• Prefers full sun
• Tolerates drought well
• A plant costs just $5-10

Citronella Grass

Citronella grass has dense clumps of grassy foliage with a lemony scent. It makes a nice natural screen around seating areas and deters mosquitos.

• Grows 5-6 feet tall
• Thrives in full sun
• Needs a large container or whiskey barrel planter
• Starts at $10 a plant

Cuphea Hyssopifolia

The vibrant flowers of Mexican heather create a colorful hedge in purple, white, pink or red. It blooms continuously in warm climates.

• Grows 18 inches to 3 feet tall
• Prefers full sun
• Tolerates heat and drought well
• A 4 inch pot costs around $4

Lemon Cypress

Lemon Cypress has a loose, open shape with lemon-scented foliage. The vibrant chartreuse color brightens up shady spots. It’s a fast grower.

• Grows 10-15 feet tall
• Prefers full sun to partial shade
• Needs good drainage
• A 1-2 foot tree costs around $15

Rosemary

Rosemary makes a nice evergreen hedge with fragrant foliage and edible needles. It can be pruned into formal shapes.

• Grows 3-6 feet tall
• Needs full sun
• Tolerates drought well
• A starter plant costs just $5

Giant Reed

Giant reed is a fast grower with tall bamboo-like stems and feathery plumes. It spreads readily to form a living screen with little care needed.

• Grows 8-20 feet tall
• Thrives in full sun or part shade
• Needs a large container or planter
• Start plants at $10 each

Scarlet Runner Beans

Scarlet runner beans have vibrant red blooms all summer long. The vines quickly cover fences and trellises to create a living screen.

• Grow 10-15 feet long
• Need full sun
• Require a trellis for support
• Seeds cost around $2 a packet

Morning Glory

Morning glories are fast growing annual vines that produce trumpets of color all season. They’ll quickly cover a trellis or fence in blooms.

• Grow 6-10 feet long
• Prefer full sun
• Need good drainage
• A packet of seeds costs just $2

Tips for Growing Successful Container Screens

Follow these tips to get the most privacy and enjoyment from your tall potted plants:

• Select fast growing varieties that can quickly cover 6 feet or more at maturity. Prioritize vigorous annuals, grasses, vines and bamboos.

• Use the tallest plants in the back and shorter varieties in front for a layered look.

• Plant in the largest containers you can find, at least 10-20 gallons, to allow roots to grow freely.

• Use potting soil formulated for containers, not garden soil, to avoid compaction.

• Add slow release fertilizer at planting time and once more midsummer.

• Prune and train vines onto trellises and arrange pots close together to maximize coverage.

With smart plant choices and proper care, it’s simple and affordable to create a tall garden screen for privacy using container plants. The end result is a beautiful green oasis right outside your door.