Mario Bautista
Gardening can teach us a lot of things, and patience is certainly one of them. That said, while many plants can take quite a bit of time to grow and produce lush foliage and flowers, others get the ball rolling more quickly. If you’re eager to fill empty space in your own yard, these are the fast-growing plants experts say to plant in your garden.
Hayscented Fern
For a plant that takes over large swaths of ground quickly, consider the hay-scented fern (dennstaedtia punctilobula). “The fronds form dense masses and are pale green and lacy textured,” says Leirion Sorensen, gardens manager at Mt. Cuba Center. “Its texture and color can be really effective in brightening up shadier woodlands or woodland edges.” Hayscented fern adapts well to both wet and dry soils and tends to be more tolerant of sun compared to other fern species. In sunnier sites, keep in mind that this plant can spread aggressively.
- Zones: 3 to 8
- Size: 30 inches tall x 36 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to full shade; well-draining soil
Inchplant
Inchplant (Tradescantia zebrina) is a vining plant that grows vigorously in optimal conditions. In fact, it gets its name because it can grow up to an inch per week. Its vining stems drip beautifully from hanging pots, happily climb down retaining walls, and eagerly creep over the ground. “The distinctive leaves feature shades of purple and green with silver accents, giving your garden a nice pop of bright color,” says Lindsay Pangborn, a plant expert for Bloomscape.
- Zones: 9 to 11
- Size: 6 to 9 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil
Chive
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Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) make a nice garden addition thanks to their pretty, grass-like foliage and purple blooms. “Certainly one of the easiest and most versatile herbs to grow, chives are fast-growing when planted by seedling or sown directly into the soil,” says Jen McDonald, a certified organic gardener and co-founder of Garden Girls. What’s more, planting chives near tomatoes, carrots, and cabbage can help repel pests such as aphids, flies, and cabbage worms.
- Zones: 9 to 11
- Size: 6 to 9 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil
Schreber’s Aster
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Schreber’s aster (eurybia schreberi) is a fall-blooming plant that rapidly forms dense strands of basal foliage. “This is a favorite plant of the gardeners here in the Northeast because of its rhizomatous habit and late bloom, bridging the gap between summer and fall flowering perennials,” says Sorensen. It also produces delicate white flowers that stand out nicely against its lush, dark green leaves.
- Zones: 3 to 8
- Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
- Care requirements: Partial to full shade; well-draining soil
Hosta
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Hostas make a great addition to any shade garden. This fast-growing perennial has beautiful leaves that are available in a range of colors, from pastel green to variegated. Hostas typically bloom in summer, producing tall stalks with flowers, but the true star of this plant is its ornate foliage.
- Zones: 3 to 9
- Size: Depends on variety
- Care requirements: Partial to full shade; rich, well-draining soil
Cleyera
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Cleyera is a shrub known for its elegant and lush foliage, which is filled with elliptical, glossy, evergreen leaves. “Tiny white flowers are not showy but add a touch of fragrance to the space,” says Linda Vater, expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. For a particularly beautiful variety, try Bronze Beauty Cleyera, which boasts foliage that emerges in a light bronze green and transforms to a darker metallic emerald green.
- Zones: 7 to 10
- Size: 8 to 10 feet tall x 5 to 6 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil
Loropetalum
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Loropetalum is a type of shrub that’s beloved for its vibrant and petite oval foliage that boasts delicate, fringe-like blooms. “Depending on the variety, foliage can range from emerald green to eggplant purple or red-purple,” says Vater. “Height can also vary widely based on the variety, from compact dwarf varieties that reach just 1 to 2 feet high when mature to towering varieties that exceed 12 feet high and wide when fully grown.”
- Zones: 7 to 10
- Size: 4 to 5 feet tall x 5 to 6 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-draining soil
Elephant Ear
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Elephant ear (Colocasia) plants are known for their large, heart-shaped to arrowhead-shaped leaves that can grow to impressive sizes, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins. “The leaves are typically glossy and come in shades of green, with some varieties featuring dark purple, black, or variegated patterns.” This plant likes consistently moist soil and thrives in high humidity, making it suitable for planting near water features.
- Zones: 8 to 12
- Size: 3 to 10 feet tall x 3 to 10 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil
Plumbago
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Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a fast-growing subtropical shrub that produces clusters of true-blue flowers over medium-green foliage. “Once summer heat hits, it grows really fast—it’s capable of reaching more than 6 feet tall in a single season,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. “It’s also exceedingly low care, able to tolerate drought and heat, plus, it’s deer- and rabbit-resistant.”
- Zones: 10 to 11
- Size: 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil
Viburnum
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Viburnum is a multi-stemmed shrub with oval-shaped leaves in colors that range from deep green to brightly-hued new growth. “Viburnums are known for their beautiful clusters of flowers that typically bloom in late spring or early summer,” says Vater. Fertilize this shrub annually in spring to encourage healthy growth and prune to control its shape as desired.
- Zones: 7 to 10
- Size: Depends on variety
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil
