Fast-Growing Plants for Beginners

Gardening can be a truly rewarding hobby, serving as a stress reliever and a way to connect with nature. For those new to this green-thumb world, starting with fast-growing plants is a practical choice. Not only do they offer quick results, but they also build gardening confidence. In this post, we’ll explore a diverse array of fast-growing plants that are perfect for beginners who seek to enjoy the fruits of their efforts without the wait. Whether you’re interested in lush greenery, aromatic herbs, or colorful blooms, there’s something for every aspiring gardener. From hassle-free ferns and herbs to vibrant flowering shrubs, this guide will set you on a path to create a thriving garden oasis.

Hayscented Fern

The Hayscented Fern, as its name suggests, emits a pleasant, hay-like fragrance that adds a unique sensory element to your garden. This shade-loving plant is perfect for beginners due to its resilience and fast-growing nature. It thrives in a variety of soil conditions, though it prefers moist, well-drained environments. Given that it spreads rapidly, it’s an excellent choice for ground cover, especially in shaded areas where other plants might struggle.

As it establishes itself, the Hayscented Fern forms a dense carpet of vibrant green fronds. These ferns require minimal care, making them ideal for busy individuals or those new to gardening. It’s essential, however, to manage their spread, as they can overtake areas if left unchecked. Regular trimming and monitoring ensure they coexist peacefully with other plants in your garden.

Inchplant

Known for its striking purple and silver foliage, the Inchplant is a fast-growing plant that can quickly become a centerpiece in any garden setting. It’s incredibly versatile, thriving as both a ground cover and a hanging plant. The ease of propagation from cuttings makes it a favorite among beginners looking to expand their garden with minimal effort.

The Inchplant adapts to various light conditions but showcases its best coloration under bright, indirect light. It’s also quite forgiving in terms of watering, requiring only a modest amount to prevent the soil from drying out completely. With its enchanting leaves and straightforward maintenance, this plant serves as a wonderful introduction to gardening for novices.

Chive

Chives are a must-have for any beginner’s garden, thanks to their rapid growth and dual-purpose nature. Not only do they add a burst of green with their slender leaves, but they also produce beautiful purple blossoms that attract pollinators. More than just a visual delight, chives are edible, lending a mild onion flavor to culinary dishes.

They are remarkably easy to cultivate, requiring a sunny location and well-draining soil. Chives can be grown in garden beds or containers, offering flexibility in terms of gardening space. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth and prevents flowering, which can intensify their flavor. Easy to maintain and rewarding as both an herb and a flower, chives are a delightful choice for novice gardeners.

Schreber’s Aster

Schreber’s Aster is a charming addition with its daisy-like flowers that bloom profusely in late summer to early fall. This North American native plant is adaptable to a range of soil types and light conditions, from full sunlight to partial shade. Beginners will appreciate its hardy nature and the swathes of vibrant blooms it brings to the garden.

Apart from being visually appealing, Schreber’s Aster plays a role in supporting local ecosystems by attracting bees and butterflies. By incorporating it into your garden, you contribute to a biodiversity hotspot right at home. It’s an excellent plant for those who wish to create a lively and environmentally-friendly garden space without excessive maintenance demands.

Hosta

Hostas are well-loved for their lush, broad foliage and are a great choice for novice gardeners seeking fast-growing options for shaded areas. With hundreds of varieties available, Hostas offer a vast array of leaf colors and textures, each promising a dynamic visual impact in the garden. Their ability to thrive in less-than-ideal lighting conditions makes them a steadfast choice.

These perennials are not just about foliage; come summer, they produce spikes of tubular flowers that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Hostas require little more than moist, well-drained soil and occasional trimming to maintain their stunning appearance. Their robust nature and aesthetic appeal explain why they’re a staple in many gardens.

Cleyera

Cleyera is a hardy evergreen shrub that offers year-round interest with its glossy, dark-green leaves and vivid red new growth. It’s a slow to moderate grower but quickly achieves a significant presence once established. For beginners seeking minimal maintenance with maximum effect, Cleyera is ideal, as it requires infrequent pruning and resists common pests and diseases.

Being a versatile plant, Cleyera can be utilized as a hedge or a standalone focal point in landscapes. It handles full sun to partial shade and benefits from well-drained soil. It’s essential to keep it watered during dry spells, particularly in its developing phases, to ensure a long-lasting and healthy shrub.

Loropetalum

Loropetalum is a fast-growing plant known for its striking foliage and unique fringe-like blooms. With relatively low maintenance, it can quickly add drama to any garden. The vibrant purple and burgundy leaves contrast beautifully against its pink or white flowers, making it a visual highlight throughout the growing season.

This shrub thrives in well-drained soil and prefers a sunny to partially shaded location. Its ability to grow to considerable size makes it excellent as a colorful hedge or a focal plant. While it’s low-maintenance, occasional pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages denser growth. Loropetalum is perfect for beginners who want quick results with a standout plant.

Elephant Ear

Known for its enormous heart-shaped leaves, the Elephant Ear plant can make a significant statement in any garden. Their fast-growing nature transforms landscapes quickly, providing a tropical feel and lush green backdrop. These plants thrive in warmer climates and require rich, well-drained soil to reach their full potential.

Elephant Ears need regular watering and do best in partially shaded locations with some protection from intense sunlight. Beginners will enjoy their low-maintenance requirements once established, although they should be cautious in colder climates, where the plant may need to be overwintered indoors. Their dramatic foliage is sure to captivate and inspire a sense of achievement in budding gardeners.

Plumbago

Plumbago offers a cascading mass of sky-blue flowers that can instantly elevate the aesthetic appeal of any garden. These shrubby perennials are beloved for their prolific blooming season and fast-growing nature. Often used to cover fences or create informal hedges, Plumbago can also look stunning in pots for patios or balconies.

This adaptable plant prefers a sunny location and is fairly drought-tolerant once established, although regular watering promotes more blooms. Pruning is minimal, generally limited to shaping and removing spent flowers. Its ease of care combined with vibrant blooms makes Plumbago a favorite choice for beginners seeking an impactful flowering plant.

Viburnum

With their fragrant blooms and appealing berry displays, Viburnums are popular among novice gardeners looking for fast-growing and low-maintenance options. These deciduous or evergreen shrubs can adapt to a plethora of conditions, from sunny to partially shady areas, making them a versatile addition to any garden setup.

Viburnums are also remarkable for their seasonal interest; in spring, they produce clusters of flowers, while autumn brings a bounty of berries that attract wildlife. To keep them at their best, ensure they receive regular watering and occasional pruning to maintain shape. With their beauty and ease of care, Viburnums can inspire delight and confidence in novice gardeners eager to cultivate a dynamic outdoor space.

Future Prospects

Plant	Key Features	Care Tips
Hayscented Fern	Fragrant, shade-loving, rapid spread	Monitor growth, trim regularly to control spread
Inchplant	Striking foliage, versatile	Bright indirect light, easy propagation from cuttings
Chive	Edible, purple blossoms	Sunny spot, regular trimming for flavor
Schreber’s Aster	Daisy-like blooms, attracts pollinators	Adaptable light conditions, late summer blooms
Hosta	Lush foliage, various textures	Moist soil, thrives in shade
Cleyera	Glossy evergreen, red new growth	Full sun to shade, infrequent pruning
Loropetalum	Colorful foliage, fringe-like blooms	Sunny to partial shade, occasional pruning
Elephant Ear	Tropical, large leaves	Partly shaded, regular watering
Plumbago	Sky-blue flowers, fast-growing	Sunny location, drought-tolerant
Viburnum	Fragrant blooms, berries	Sun or shade, occasional pruning