How To Make Shrubs Grow Fast

If you’re looking at your garden and wishing those shrubs would fill in faster, you’re not alone. Everyone wants to see quick results, and knowing how to make shrubs grow fast is the key to a lush landscape without the long wait. The good news is that with a few smart techniques, you can significantly speed up their growth. This guide gives you practical, easy-to-follow tips to help your shrubs thrive quickly.

Getting shrubs to grow quickly isn’t about magic; it’s about creating the perfect conditions for them. Fast growth happens when you meet all of a plant’s needs consistently. Think of it like fueling your body with good food, water, and exercise. We’ll cover the essential steps, from planting correctly to feeding and pruning, that work together to boost your shrubs’ growth rate.

Start with the Right Shrub in the Right Place

This is the most important step for fast growth. If you put a shade-loving shrub in full sun, it will struggle no matter what you do. Always check the plant tag or do a quick search for your shrub’s specific needs.

Sunlight: Match the shrub to your garden’s light conditions. Full sun means 6+ hours of direct light. Part shade is about 3-6 hours.
Climate Zone: Choose shrubs rated for your USDA Hardiness Zone. A non-hardy shrub will focus on survival, not growth.
Mature Size: Give it enough space! Crowded shrubs compete for light and nutrients, slowing them down.

Planting for Success: The Foundation of Fast Growth

How you plant sets the stage for everything that follows. A well-planted shrub establishes its roots quickly, which is the first step to rapid top growth.

Dig a Great Hole: Make it two to three times wider than the root ball. The depth should be just so the top of the root ball is level with the ground.
Loosen the Roots: If the roots are pot-bound (circling tightly), gently tease them apart with your fingers. This encourages them to grow outward.
Amend the Soil: Mix the native soil from the hole with compost or aged manure. This improves drainage and provides nutrients right away.
Water Deeply: After backfilling, create a small soil berm around the shrub to form a watering basin. Soak the area thoroughly to settle the soil.

Smart Watering for Rapid Growth

Water is crucial for moving nutrients and keeping cells turgid. Inconsistent watering is a major cause of stunted growth.

Deep & Infrequent: Water slowly and deeply, encouraging roots to grow down into the soil. This is better than frequent, shallow sprinkles.
Check the Soil: Before watering, stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. A soaker hose is a fantastic tool for this.
Mulch is a Must: Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch (wood chips, bark) around the base. This keeps soil moisture even, prevents weeds, and regulates soil temperature.

The Magic of Mulch

Mulch deserves its own mention. It’s one of the easiest things you can do to make shrubs grow fast. By conserving water and suppressing weeds, it reduces stress on the plant. As organic mulch breaks down, it also slowly enriches the soil with humus.

Feeding Your Shrubs: The Growth Fuel

Shrubs need nutrients to build new stems and leaves. While good soil is the base, most shrubs benefit from extra feeding, especially when you want to accelerate growth.

Test Your Soil: A simple soil test from your local extension service tells you exactly what your soil lacks. It’s the best way to avoid guessing.
Choose the Right Fertilizer: Look for a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 formula). The numbers represent Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Nitrogen is key for green, leafy growth.
Timing is Everything: Feed shrubs in early spring as new growth begins. A second, lighter feeding in early summer can be helpful for some fast-growing types. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or fall, as this can promote tender new growth that may get damaged by frost.

Pruning to Promote Growth

It seems counterintuitive, but cutting a shrub back can make it grow faster and bushier. Pruning removes weak growth and stimulates the plant to produce new, vigorous stems.

For Density: Lightly tip-prune new growth during the growing season. Pinching off the very end of a branch encourages it to branch out from that point, creating a fuller shrub.
For Rejuvenation: For overgrown or leggy shrubs, consider a hard renewal prune in late winter. You can cut many deciduous shrubs down to 6-12 inches from the ground. They will respond with a flush of strong new growth.
Always Use Clean Tools: Wipe your pruners with rubbing alcohol between plants to prevent spreading disease, which would definately slow growth.

Protecting from Stress and Competition

A stressed shrub won’t grow fast. Your job is to minimize anything that competes with or harms your plant.

Weed Control: Weeds steal water, light, and nutrients. Keep the area around your shrubs clear. Mulch helps tremendously with this.
Watch for Pests & Disease: Inspect leaves regularly. Address issues like aphids or fungal spots early before they weaken the plant. Often, a strong blast of water from the hose is enough for pests.
Guard the Roots: Avoid digging or compacting the soil around the shrub’s root zone. Damaged roots halt growth immediately.

Extra Boost: Mycorrhizal Fungi

This is a pro tip for serious growth. Mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial organisms that form a partnership with plant roots. They help the roots absorb more water and nutrients. You can buy a powder or granular form to sprinkle in the planting hole or mix into the soil around existing shrubs. It’s a natural way to supercharge the root system.

Patience and Observation

Even with all these tips, remember that growth takes time, especially in the first year as the shrub establishes its roots. Your focus should be on consistent care. Observe your shrubs weekly. Notice changes in leaf color, growth speed, or overall vigor. This helps you catch problems early and adjust your care.

By following these steps—right plant/right place, perfect planting, deep watering, regular feeding, and strategic pruning—you create an environment where shrubs can’t help but grow quickly. The results will be a beautiful, dense garden that provides privacy and curb appeal much sooner than you might of thought possible.

FAQ: Quick Answers for Faster Shrub Growth

What is the fastest way to make shrubs grow?

The fastest way combines optimal planting, consistent deep watering with mulch, and feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring. There’s no single secret; it’s the combination of all good practices.

What fertilizer makes shrubs grow faster?

A balanced, slow-release fertilizer with a slightly higher nitrogen (the first number) can promote faster leafy growth. For example, a 12-6-6 formula is often recommended for encouraging shrubs and hedges to fill in. Always follow the label instructions to avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn roots.

Does Epsom salt help shrubs grow?

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) can help only if your soil is deficient in magnesium. Symptoms include yellowing leaves between green veins. Without a deficiency, it won’t boost growth and could potentially harm the soil balance. A soil test is the best way to know for sure.

How often should I water shrubs to encourage growth?

There’s no set schedule. Water deeply when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. For newly planted shrubs, this might be 2-3 times a week. For established shrubs, it could be once a week or less, depending on weather and soil type. Deep watering is far more effective than frequent light watering.

Can pruning in summer make shrubs grow faster?

Light pruning or pinching back tips in early summer can encourage bushier growth for the rest of the season. However, avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, as the new growth may not harden off before winter and could be damaged. The best time for major pruning is usually late winter or early spring.