Care & Feeding of a Privet Hedge

Privets, like many shrubs, thrive when mulched.

Privets, like many shrubs, thrive when mulched.

Privets (Ligustrum spp.) are evergreen or deciduous shrubs widely used as either standalone plants or as hedges. For the most part, privets thrive throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. However, this group of shrubs has dozens of varieties, including some that prefer warmer climates. For example, the Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) thrives in zones 7B through 10A. Whatever the type of privet you're growing, several general care and fertilization strategies can help you boost your shrub's health and appearance.


In general, most types of privets prefer constantly moist soil conditions, so long as the privet shrub's roots aren't sitting in standing water. Apply irrigation whenever the top 3 to 4 inches of soil have dried out, which may be every day or every other day depending on your soil type and the weather. When irrigating your privet hedge, use enough water to moisten the soil down to a depth of approximately 24 inches. This encourages the shrub to grow its roots deeper, which in turn helps improve drought tolerance and the overall vigor and health of your hedge.


Privets, like all shrubs, thrive best when protected with a 3-inch-thick layer of mulch. Apply the mulch immediately after planting, then monitor it throughout the year and replenish the mulch as needed. Mulch helps block weed growth and conserves soil moisture, creating the moist conditions that privets require. As mulch breaks down, it also helps to feed the privets by adding nutrient-rich organic matter to the underlying soil. Example mulching materials include shredded leaves, compost and shredded bark.


Technically, privets are very tolerant of many soil types and do not require fertilization the way that other shrubs need constant feeding. However, you can apply fertilizer once a year in the spring when new growth begins if you notice your privet hedge looks pale in color or if you want to speed up its growth rate. For privets, the National Gardening Association recommends using a 15-5-10 general purpose fertilizer, or any other fertilizer with a similar nutrient ratio. If using a 15-5-10 product, spread it at a rate of 3.3 pounds per 500 square feet of gardening space. Broadcast the fertilizer directly under your privet hedge, covering the soil from the privet's base to the imaginary line under the shrub's further branches. After applying the fertilizer, irrigate your privets to help carry the fertilizer nutrients down to the hedge's roots.


Pruning isn't required for privet health. In fact, leaving your privet hedge unpruned allows the shrubs to take on a natural shape and allows the shrubs to produce both flowers and berries. However, privets are very hardy and can be sheared into formal shapes if you so desire. Regardless of your choice, monitor your privets for broken branches, dead branches or diseased branches and remove such areas immediately to reduce the risks of further damage or plant stress.

Invasive Warning

While they're found in backyards across the United States, some types of privets grow quickly and can quickly get out of control and turn invasive. This depends both on the specific type of privet and the region you're in. For example, the California Invasive Plant Council does not currently label the privet as an invasive species, although the University of California-Davis does note that some privets can be hard to control. In contrast, the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council lists four types of privets as invasive. If you're unsure of the status of the type of privet you're considering growing, consult your region's local extension service.

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