15 Tall Ornamental Grasses that Grow Fast for Privacy

If you want privacy in your yard without putting up a fence, tall ornamental grasses are the way to go. I've found them far more appealing than any wooden or metal barrier. They move with the wind, they look natural, and once they're established, you barely have to touch them.



Here are 15 that actually work.

1. Umbrella Bamboo

This one tops my list for tight spaces. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall but stays controlled and unlike most bamboo, it doesn't spread and take over your yard. The dark green leaves form a thick canopy that blocks sightlines nicely.

2. Feather Reed Grass

Feather Reed Grass starts blue-green, goes golden in fall, and throws up fluffy plumes in summer. It earns its spot as a privacy screen and looks good doing it all year.

3. Purple Majesty Grass

The color alone makes this one stand out. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall in dense clumps and stays that deep, rich purple as long as you water it during dry stretches. Great for screening and adding bold color at the same time.

4. Purple Fountain Grass

The arching stems give it that spilling-over-a-wall look. It gets 3 to 5 feet tall, with purplish-red leaves and bottlebrush plumes in late summer. Works well in pots, borders, or planted in rows for a soft privacy wall.

5. Blue Grama Grass

If your yard runs hot and dry, Blue Grama Grass handles it without complaint. It forms dense clumps up to 3 feet tall with blue-green blades and quirky seed heads that flip from green to brown as summer goes on.

6. Indian Grass

This is a workhorse. It grows up to 8 feet tall, handles sandy soil, clay soil, drought. The golden-yellow fall color is a bonus. I'd use it anywhere I needed serious height and low maintenance.

7. Zebra Grass

The horizontal yellow bands on Zebra Grass make it instantly recognizable. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall in upright clumps and tolerates wet and dry conditions. If you want privacy AND a conversation piece, this delivers both.

8. Pink Muhly Grass

It only grows 2 to 4 feet, so it won't block a second-floor window. But its dense clumping and explosive pink plumes in fall make it ideal for low-level screening with serious visual punch.

9. Northern Sea Oats

Growing 3 to 5 feet tall, this grass has flat, drooping seed heads that look like actual oats. The leaves go bronze in fall. It's a quieter, more delicate option that still does the screening job well.

10. Switchgrass

Switchgrass can hit 9 feet in the right conditions. That's serious privacy. It's also one of the best choices if road or neighbor noise is a problem. I'd plant it in a thick row along any busy boundary.

11. Big Bluestem

Big Bluestem earns its keep in two seasons. Summer gives you blue-green upright blades. Fall turns them coppery-red. It grows up to 6 feet, handles drought well once established, and its deep roots actually improve the soil over time.

12. Beard Grass

Found naturally across North American meadows, Beard Grass grows up to 5 feet. The blue-green leaves shift to copper by fall. It's tough, low-maintenance, and works well as both a windbreak and a privacy screen.

13. Pampas Grass

Pampas Grass is bold and showy, with large summer plumes and a tough drought tolerance. One thing to keep in mind. Without occasional trimming, it will start crowding everything around it. Manage it and it's a great statement plant.

14. Ravenna Grass

Think of Ravenna as Pampas Grass's bigger, wilder cousin. It gets 6 to 10 feet tall with 12-inch white plumes that look almost frosted in winter light. It's invasive if left unchecked, so it needs a bit of monitoring. Best suited for larger yards where it has room.

15. Japanese Silver Grass

Japanese Silver Grass wraps up this list well. It grows 4 to 8 feet in dense arching clumps, with silver-green leaves and fluffy plumes that add movement and texture. It also helps hold soil in place, making it both a practical and good-looking pick.

Any of these grasses will give you privacy without making your yard feel closed off or heavy. Pick based on your climate, your soil, and how tall you need the screen to go.

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