13 Fast-Growing Plants That Impatient Gardeners Always Plant in Their Gardens

For some, gardening is a therapeutic activity. For others, it’s all about the end result—a lush, vibrant yard full of life and color.

If you want to quickly enhance your garden, we’ve compiled a list of 13 fast-growing plants. Perfect for those seeking rapid results or just a fun challenge.

Cornflower is a fast-growing wildflower with blooms that resemble small carnations. They can be grown in pots but thrive in meadows and pastures. Start seeds indoors to encourage early blooms, and prune to extend their flowering season.

• Time to mature size: 80-100 days
• USDA zone: 2-11
• Light: Full, partial
• Water: 1 inch per week
• Color varieties: Blue, purple, pink, white, red

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Known by many names—gordaldo, thousand leaf, plumajillo—yarrow is a quick-growing plant with delicate yellow blooms. It's drought-tolerant and does well in poor soil, making it a good choice for arid climates. Note that it’s considered invasive in some areas and mildly toxic to certain pets.

• Time to mature size: One growing season (120 days)
• USDA zone: 3-9
• Light: Full
• Water: Frequent, light watering to germinate followed by 1/2 inch of water weekly
• Color varieties: White, yellow, pink, red, purple, orange

Purple Fountain Grass is an attention-grabbing, fast-growing space filler. Best planted in spring, it becomes particularly stunning in autumn.

• Time to mature size: One growing season
• USDA zone: 9-10
• Light: Full, partial
• Water: Thoroughly after planting, then at least twice a week
• Color varieties: Red, purple

With long spiked blooms resembling a large ear of grain, agastache is quick-growing and great for attracting pollinators. The leaves can also be used to make tea.

• Time to mature size: One growing season
• USDA zone: 3-10
• Light: Full
• Water: Occasional deep watering followed by days of hot sun
• Color varieties: Red, pink, orange, blue, purple, white

Lavatera is a fast-growing shrub ideal for garden borders, known for flowering within its first year.

• Time to mature size: 1-2 growing seasons
• USDA zone: 6-8
• Light: Full
• Water: Regularly to establish roots, then occasionally if there is no rain
• Color varieties: Pink, purple, white

Hydrangeas are cherished for their beauty and low-maintenance nature. They grow about 24 inches per year, delivering noticeable change quickly.

• Time to mature size: 2-3 years
• USDA zone: 5-9
• Light: Full, partial
• Water: One to two times a week with deep watering, especially during the growing season
• Color varieties: White, blue, pink, red, purple, green

The Butterfly Bush is a fast-growing and low-maintenance option that attracts pollinators. It produces abundant clusters of vibrant flowers, quickly adding color to your garden.

• Time to mature size: 2-3 years
• USDA zone: 5-9
• Light: Full
• Water: 1/2 inch of water per week from rain or irrigation
• Color varieties: Purple, pink, blue, white, yellow

Crepe Myrtle is a fast-growing tree with stunning blooms. It's particularly popular in the southern U.S., providing beauty year-round.

• Time to mature size: 3-5 years to become established, 5-10 years for full maturity, with a height increase of 24” per year
• USDA zone: 6-9
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Frequently and deeply at the roots, using two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter
• Color varieties: Red, pink, purple, white

Also known as spurge, the large genus Euphorbia includes over 2,000 species. Some, like the hedyotoides and ingens varietals, are known to grow quickly.

• Time to mature size: 2-3 years, with flowers appearing 1-2 years after germination
• USDA zone: 5-11
• Light: Full
• Water: Periodic watering at the root
• Color varieties: Yellow, pale red

Perennial viburnum varieties mimic hydrangeas but grow faster, making them a good choice for hedging, ground coverage, or privacy.

• Time to mature size: Five years, with up to two feet of growth per year once established
• USDA zone: 2-9
• Light: Full, partial
• Water: Weekly
• Color varieties: White, pink

Star Jasmine is a fast-growing climber known for its fragrance and attractiveness to pollinators.

• Time to mature size: 5-10 years, but it can grow 3-6 feet in its first year alone
• USDA zone: 7-10
• Light: Full, partial
• Water: Regularly when the top inch of soil is dry; be mindful of root rot
• Color varieties: White, yellow

Forsythia, with its long branches and bright yellow blooms, is perfect for adding early spring color to your garden.

• Time to mature size: Up to 8 years, with an average growth of 16-24 inches per year
• USDA zone: 5-8
• Light: Full, partial
• Water: At least 2 inches per week until established, then only during extended dry periods
• Color varieties: Yellow

Silver birch trees are fast-growing and suited to cooler climates, offering vibrant leaves. Be sure to check if they are considered invasive in your area before planting.

• Time to mature size: 20-30 years for full height, but they grow rapidly during the first 10-15 years
• USDA zone: 2-7
• Light: Full, partial
• Water: Keep the soil consistently damp, ideally covered with snow in winter
• Color varieties: Yellow, green