Among the general aspirations that people have when it comes to gardening, one of the most popular is seeing the results as fast as possible. Whether you’re trying to add beauty, privacy, or even grow your own food, fast growing plants can deliver just that. Although there are huge differences in the USA from region to region, no matter where you live, there are plenty of fast growing plants that will help you reach your gardening goals in a very short period of time.
In this article, we are going to cover a wide range of fast growing plants, from ornamental flowers to edible plants, and share with you some helpful tips on how to increase their potential for growth.
Why fast growing plants are better option?
Fast growing plants are popular due to a number of reasons:
Instant gratification:
Unlike slower-growing plants, fast-growers are able to show noticeable progress in just weeks, not months.
Better Yield:
In the case of edible plants, faster-growing ones can give you multiple harvests within a single growing season and thus allow you to maximize your food production.
Covers Bare Spots:
Fast-growers are ideal for quickly filling in bare spots in your garden, giving a lush, full look without having to wait years.
Erosion Control:
Fast growing plants such as grasses or ground covers are helpful in controlling the erosion of soil, mainly where heavy rainfall and steep slopes are encountered.
1. Fast Growing Flowering Plants for Your Garden
Sunflowers Helianthus annuus
Sunflowers are one of the most iconic flowers you can plant in your garden and some of the fastest-growing. They are hardy, resilient, and grow quite tall in a very short time. Indeed, with varieties up to 10 feet tall after only a few months, they will surely be a showstopper in yellow blooms. They’ll thrive in full sun and be very easy to grow from seed.
- Growth Time: 70 – 100 days from seed to flower
- Planting Tips: Plant sunflowers in a well-draining soil that is in full sun; space 12 to 36 inches apart.
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias are bright, colorful flowers grown for their beauty and fast growth. They come in a variety of colors: red, pink, orange, and white. Zinnias are heat tolerant and bloom all summer long; they attract bees and butterflies. They are perfect to plant in flower beds, borders, or containers.
- Growth Time: 60 to 70 days from seed to bloom
- Planting Tips: Zinnias prefer full sun with well-draining soil. They should be spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, preventing disease.
Marigolds (Tagetes species)
The marigolds are also a very good option for those gardeners who wish to achieve quick results. Hardy and low maintenance, they bear bright, cheerful flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Varieties of marigold are very good at keeping the aphids and nematodes away, which is why it will be great as a companion plant if one grows vegetables.
- Growth Time: 45-50 days from seed to bloom
- Planting Tips: Marigolds are full sun, well-drained soil flowers. Plant in groups to give an overall effect in your garden.
2. Edible Fast Growing Plants
If you are eager to grow your food, yet not willing to wait for several months to have a yield, then there are several fast-growing edible plants out there. These will provide the ultimate instant satisfaction of homegrown fresh produce and add beauty to your garden at the same time.
Radish (Raphanus sativus)
In some radishes, vegetables grow quick; thus, they are some of the best for prompt results. Seeds take 3 to 4 weeks, seed to harvest. Ideal varieties for beginners, these veggies can be grown in a container or directly in your yard to improve your salad with their lovely hot taste and many other varieties of food.
- Growth Time: 20-30 days from seed to harvest
- Planting Tips: Radishes are a cool-season crop and therefore do best if planted early in the spring or in the fall. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and spaced 1 to 2 inches apart.
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Another excellent option to plant in your garden, lettuce, is a quickly growing green that thrives off the cooler temperatures and can take as few as 30-45 days to harvest. Lettuce is relatively diverse-you can do it in container gardens, raised beds, or in-ground. As a testament to this plant’s great diversity, several other varieties abound, from simple leaf lettuce to Romaine; thus, finding one variety or more that will suit your tastes should be no problem whatsoever.
- Growth Time: 30-45 days from seed to harvest
- How to Grow Lettuce: Lettuce prefers rich, well-draining soil and partial to full sun. The soil should be kept moist since lettuce is responsive to cool, moist conditions.
Must Read: Best Time to Plant Perennials and Shrubs in Southern Michigan
Green Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Green beans are among the popular quick-growing edible plants that come in varieties, most of which mature within 50 to 60 days. They are easy to grow and very productive. Beans are not only delicious but also great for enriching the soil with nitrogen, hence a great value in any garden.
- Growth Time: 50-60 days from seed to harvest
- Planting Tips: Green beans love well-drained soil and plenty of sun. Plant seeds directly into the ground after the last frost, spacing them far enough apart that they have room to spread out.
Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
Spinach is a cool-season, fast-growing leafy green that is ideal for the home gardener to grow and enjoy in the shortest time possible. It grows very fast, especially during cool weather, and can be ready for harvest in as short a period as 30 days. Spinach is rich in vitamins and minerals and can be used in salads, soups, and a variety of other dishes.
- Growth Time: 30 to 45 days from seed to harvest
- Planting Tips: Spinach does better in cooler weather, so the best times to plant are early spring or fall. Keep the soil moist, planting the seeds about ½ inch deep.
3. Fast-Growing Ground Covers
If you are looking for area coverage in the shortest time, there are a number of fast-growing ground covers that will help you do just that. These plants reduce soil erosion, inhibit weeds, and add a beautiful green carpet to your yard or garden.
Clover (Trifolium spp.)
Clover is a great, fast-growing ground cover and is excellent for improving soil health. This plant can fix nitrogen into the soil, which means it makes the addition of nitrogen in the soil excellent for improving its fertility in your garden. Clover has a low maintenance level and will remain green even during the coldest temperatures throughout the year.
- Growth Time: 3 to 4 weeks to achieve initial cover
- Planting Tips: Clover loves well-draining soil and partial to full sun. The best time to plant clover is during spring or fall when the weather is cooler.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing, perennial ground cover with vibrant green leaves in spring and summer, turning golden yellow in the fall. It is excellent for shady areas, growing well in both borders and hanging baskets.
- Growth Time: 4-6 weeks to spread initially
- Planting Tips: Creeping Jenny prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It’s also a great choice for planting along the edges of ponds or in damp garden corners.
Vinca minor PERIWINKLE
Another popular fast-growing ground cover is Vinca minor, or periwinkle. It’s an evergreen plant that spreads quickly and produces lovely purple flowers in the spring. It tolerates a wide range of soils, from sun to shade.
- Growth Time: 6 to 8 weeks for noticeable coverage
- Horticultural Tips: Being a plant that prefers almost any soil with good sun to partial shade, indeed; besides needing little care, Vinca minor is a great provider of evergreen ground overgrowth.
4. Fast-Growing Shrubs for Privacy and Landscaping
With the addition of a privacy screen or the structural element in your garden, these fast-growing shrubs can get the job done in no time. Not only do these plants add much-needed privacy, but they are also capable of beautifying the view of one’s landscape.
Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)
Forsythia is a deciduous shrub that happens to be one of the most rapid growers and carriers of bright yellow flowers in early spring. This would serve well for privacy screens or hedges, considering that it will grow up to 10 feet tall in a couple of years. It is not a high-maintenance shrub and also adapts to most soil types.
- Growth Time: 1-2 years to reach full size
- How to Plant: Forsythia prefers well-draining soil and full sun but will tolerate a wide range of soils and is relatively drought tolerant once established.
Lilacs Syringa vulgaris
Lilacs are fast-growing shrubs that will grant you privacy and fill your garden with fragrant flowers in the spring. They grow fast, within a few years growing between 8 to 15 feet. Colors come in purple, pink, and white-just great for adding beauty to the landscape.
- Growth Time: 3 to 4 years for it to attain its full maturity
- Planting Tips: Lilacs do best in well-drained soil and full sun. They really need a lot of sun to bloom profusely.
Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Boxwood is an evergreen shrub that grows slow and can be trimmed to shape into formal hedges or topiaries. Boxwoods are not as fast as some shrubs but generally pretty quick-growing within their category. Boxwoods serve well in forming structured borders or privacy screens.
- Growth Time: 2 – 3 years to be a medium size
- Planting Tips: Boxwood prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil; partial to full sun tolerates a wide range of conditions, though it does very well with regular watering and proper pruning.
Conclusion
Fast growing plants are ideal in the garden when you want beauty, productivity, or privacy—and you want it quickly. The colorful flowers, edible vegetables, and evergreen shrubs within this group will offer a yield in far less time compared to other plant varieties. From brightening up your outdoor space with the vibrantly colored sunflower to adding flavor with tasty radishes and lettuce ready for harvest weeks later, the options aren’t in short supply as far as speedy plants that fit your needs go.
This being said, you’ll need to make sure the right choice for planting is suitable for the climatic and garden conditions around you. Besides proper choice, good planting techniques also count. With the proper care, your garden will no doubt bloom, grow, and give you its beauty or food in absolutely no time. Happy gardening!