17 Tall Potted Plants That Double as Stylish Privacy Screens

Seeking tall potted plants that offer privacy and bring a touch of nature to your space? These plants are perfect for creating a natural barrier while enhancing the beauty of your home or garden. Whether you’re seeking to block out neighbors, create a peaceful corner, or just enjoy some greenery, tall plants are an ideal solution. Many of these plants are low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of conditions. With the right care, they can grow tall and dense, offering privacy while complementing your decor.

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Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant)

Ficus Elastica, also known as the Rubber Plant, is a popular choice for tall potted plants that provide privacy. This plant has large, glossy leaves that create a full, dense look, making it perfect for blocking out the view from neighbors or passersby. It thrives in moderate light and can grow quite tall if given the right care.

To ensure your Rubber Plant grows healthy, keep it in well-drained soil and water it only when the top of the soil feels dry. It prefers a warm environment and should be protected from drafts and extreme temperature changes. Regular pruning can help maintain its shape and encourage more growth.

Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant)

Dracaena Fragrans, commonly known as the Corn Plant, is known for its tall, striking appearance and long, arching leaves. It is an excellent choice for adding privacy to a space, as its upright growth habit forms a natural screen. The Corn Plant does well in indirect light and can tolerate lower light conditions.

Caring for this plant involves keeping it in slightly moist soil but not letting it sit in water. It benefits from regular fertilization during its growing season, and occasional pruning helps maintain its size. Be sure to clean the leaves occasionally to prevent dust buildup.

Yucca Elephantipes (Spineless Yucca)

Yucca Elephantipes, also known as Spineless Yucca, is a sturdy, evergreen plant with tall, sword-like leaves. It is an excellent choice for a natural privacy screen due to its height and dense foliage. This plant can grow up to 10 feet tall, making it ideal for creating privacy indoors or on a patio.

The Yucca is drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance once established. It thrives in bright, indirect light and needs well-drained soil. Water it sparingly and allow the soil to dry between watering sessions. Occasional trimming will help maintain its upright shape.

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea Seifrizii)

Bamboo Palm is a slender, elegant plant that provides great privacy due to its height and dense foliage. It is perfect for adding a tropical touch to your space while blocking out unwanted views. The Bamboo Palm grows in clumps, producing arching fronds that give it a full, lush appearance.

Place the Bamboo Palm in bright, indirect light to help it thrive. It prefers consistently moist soil, so be sure to water it regularly but avoid overwatering. This plant also benefits from a bit of humidity, so misting the leaves every now and then will keep it happy.

Palm (Areca Palm)

The Areca Palm, also known as the Butterfly Palm, features feathery, arching fronds that make it an ideal tall potted plant for privacy. It can reach heights of up to 8 feet, creating an effective natural screen. Its graceful, feathery leaves make it a striking addition to any room or outdoor space.

This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and benefits from occasional misting to maintain humidity. Water it regularly, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Fertilizing the plant once a month during the growing season can encourage healthy growth.

Schefflera Arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree)

The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is a compact yet tall plant with glossy, umbrella-like leaves that grow in clusters at the end of its stems. It offers a dense screen that is perfect for privacy in both indoor and outdoor spaces. The plant’s upright growth pattern allows it to reach a significant height while maintaining its compact size.

To care for this plant, place it in indirect light, and water it when the top inch of soil feels dry. Ensure the pot has good drainage to avoid root rot. Prune it occasionally to maintain a manageable size, and provide it with occasional feeding during the growing season.

Sansevieria (Snake Plant)

Sansevieria, commonly known as the Snake Plant, is known for its tall, upright leaves that are perfect for creating a natural privacy screen. This low-maintenance plant can grow up to 4 feet tall, with stiff, sword-like leaves that rise from the base. It is perfect for those who want a tall plant with minimal care needs.

The Snake Plant thrives in indirect light and is highly tolerant of low light conditions. It prefers dry soil, so allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. It does well in a variety of temperatures and is an excellent option for beginners looking for a reliable, tall plant for privacy.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ Plant is known for its glossy, dark green leaves and upright growth. While it can reach impressive heights, it is slow-growing, making it an ideal option for those who want a tall plant without a lot of maintenance. Its hardy nature allows it to thrive in a range of light conditions.

For the best care, keep the ZZ Plant in moderate to low light and water it sparingly. It prefers to dry out between waterings, so avoid overwatering. It can tolerate dry air and fluctuating temperatures, making it an excellent plant for various indoor environments.

Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig)

Ficus Benjamina, commonly known as the Weeping Fig, is a tall, elegant plant with graceful, drooping branches that provide a natural privacy screen. It is a popular indoor plant due to its ability to adapt to a range of light conditions, though it prefers bright, indirect light.

To keep the Weeping Fig healthy, water it when the soil feels dry, and ensure the pot has good drainage. It may require occasional pruning to maintain its shape and size. The plant does not tolerate drastic changes in temperature or humidity, so try to keep it in a stable environment.

Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum)

Croton plants are known for their bright, colorful leaves that can make a dramatic statement. They are also tall, making them an excellent choice for creating privacy in a stylish manner. With their thick, leathery leaves, Crotons can grow up to 6 feet in height when given the right care.

For the best results, place the Croton in bright, indirect light. It thrives in warm environments, so avoid placing it near drafts. Water it regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. The plant also benefits from a regular cleaning of its leaves to remove dust and ensure the colors remain vibrant.

Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

Arborvitae is a tall, fast-growing evergreen that is perfect for privacy. Known for its narrow, upright growth habit, it can reach impressive heights, providing a dense screen. Arborvitae works well in outdoor spaces and can also be kept in large pots for patios and balconies.

This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It prefers consistently moist soil, so be sure to water it regularly, especially during dry spells. Arborvitae can grow quickly, so occasional pruning may be necessary to maintain its shape and size.

Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus)

The Podocarpus is a versatile, evergreen plant that can grow tall and provide an excellent privacy screen. With its needle-like leaves and dense growth, it forms a natural barrier while adding an elegant touch to your garden or living space. Podocarpus is adaptable and can be used in various environments, including pots.

This plant prefers well-drained soil and moderate sunlight. Water it regularly but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Podocarpus benefits from occasional trimming to maintain its shape and encourage fresh growth. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate various temperatures and humidity levels.

Bamboo (Bambusoideae)

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants, known for its tall, slender stems that provide an excellent privacy screen. It’s a great choice for creating an outdoor barrier or indoor screening in large pots. Bamboo grows quickly and can reach impressive heights with the right care.

Bamboo requires regular watering, but it is important to avoid letting it sit in waterlogged soil. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and grows best in rich, well-drained soil. Regular maintenance, such as pruning and controlling its spread, will help keep it contained.

Eugenia (Syzygium paniculatum)

Eugenia is a tall, dense plant that works well for privacy screens in both outdoor and indoor spaces. Its glossy, evergreen leaves grow in dense clusters, forming a solid barrier. Eugenia can grow up to 6 feet tall, with a lush, rounded shape.

The plant thrives in well-drained soil and should be placed in a location with bright, indirect light. Water it regularly to maintain consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering. Eugenia can also tolerate light pruning to keep its shape and size in check.

Olive Tree (Olea europaea)

The Olive Tree is a classic, elegant plant that can grow tall and is excellent for providing privacy. Its silvery-green leaves and gnarled trunk give it a unique look, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. This tree is a slower grower but can reach heights that make it ideal for privacy.

Olive Trees thrive in well-drained soil and require plenty of sunlight. Water them sparingly, ensuring the soil dries out between waterings. They are fairly drought-tolerant once established and can be kept in a container for smaller spaces.

Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Magnolia trees are known for their fragrant flowers and large, glossy leaves. As a tall tree, they provide an excellent natural privacy screen, especially when planted in large pots. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, making them perfect for creating a beautiful barrier.

To care for a Magnolia, ensure it is planted in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Water it regularly, especially during dry spells. Magnolia trees are relatively low-maintenance but may require occasional pruning to keep their shape and size in check.

Juniper (Juniperus communis)

Juniper is a hardy evergreen that grows tall and provides excellent privacy. Its dense foliage forms a solid barrier, making it ideal for outdoor privacy in gardens or patios. Juniper can grow in a variety of climates, from cold to moderate, and is very adaptable.

This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Juniper does not need much water once established, as it is quite drought-tolerant. Pruning is recommended to maintain its shape and size, and it benefits from occasional fertilization during the growing season.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.