Invasive in some states
This plant is assessed as invasive in parts of the US. It is not illegal, but consider a non-invasive alternative and check your local guidance before planting it.
Use with caution
Privet berries and leaves are toxic, of medium severity; eating them can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and weakness. It is considered a problem for cats, dogs, and horses. The dark berries are the most likely hazard for children and pets, so site hedges with that in mind.
Privet
Ligustrum japonicum 'Recurvifolium'
treeJapanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) is a fast, dense broadleaf evergreen long used for tall hedges and screens, with glossy oval leaves, panicles of fragrant creamy-white flowers in late spring, and clusters of blue-black berries. It grows quickly to about 10 to 12 ft and shears easily, which made it a Southern hedge staple. That same vigor and the bird-spread seed make privet invasive across the Southeast, where it forms dense thickets in woodlands and along streams. Where it is grown, removing the berries and any seedlings helps keep it from escaping.
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Sun
full sun to partial shade
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Water
Every 10 days
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Harvest
~60 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
3-4 ft apart for a hedge
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Planting Depth
Set at the same depth it grew in the nursery pot
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Soil pH
6.0-8.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Adaptable, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7 – 10
When to Fertilize
In early spring as new growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer
🌱 Growing Guide
Privet grows in full sun to partial shade in almost any well-drained soil, tolerating drought, salt, and a wide pH once established; it does poorly only in constantly wet ground. It is among the easiest hedges to grow and shear, taking hard pruning and quickly refilling. Trim as often as needed during the growing season to keep a formal shape. To limit its spread, shear before or just after flowering to reduce the berry crop, and pull volunteer seedlings. Consider native or non-invasive evergreens for new screens where privet is a known problem.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Jun 14
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Liriope — An evergreen edging grass that lines a clipped privet hedge
- Holly — A tougher-wooded evergreen that mixes into screens with privet
- Boxwood — A finer-textured evergreen that pairs at a lower layer in front of a privet screen
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Tiny white flies on leaf undersides cause sooty mold; use horticultural oil and control ants
Adults notch leaf margins and larvae feed on roots; treat heavy infestations and keep plants vigorous
Encrusts stems and sucks sap; prune out infested wood and use horticultural oil
A fungal twig and leaf blight; prune out dieback and improve airflow
🌾 Harvest & storage
Privet is grown as a fast evergreen hedge, not for harvest. The main task is frequent shearing to hold its shape; trimming before or soon after bloom also cuts the berry crop, which reduces unwanted spread. Remove volunteer seedlings to keep it from escaping into natural areas.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Japanese privet is an ornamental hedge shrub, not edible, and its berries and leaves are toxic. Its value is a fast evergreen screen, though its invasiveness in the Southeast argues for non-invasive alternatives.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
Privet berries and leaves are toxic, of medium severity; eating them can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and weakness. It is considered a problem for cats, dogs, and horses. The dark berries are the most likely hazard for children and pets, so site hedges with that in mind.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.