Got an ugly fence staring back at you every time you step outside? Yeah, same. The good news is that a few climbing plants can cover it up way faster than you’d think.
I’ve put together a list of 19 fast-growing climbers that are easy to grow and get to work quickly. Some of them might seriously surprise you — in the best way possible!
1.) Clematis
Clematis is one of the most popular climbing plants out there, and it’s easy to see why. It grows quickly, covers a lot of ground (or fence), and blooms in a range of colors from purple to white to pink.
Plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and keep the roots shaded with mulch. It thrives in zones 4–9 and needs a trellis or wire support to climb. Prune it back each year to keep it blooming well.
2.) Climbing Hydrangea
Climbing hydrangea is a woody vine that clings to fences using small rootlike holdfast. It grows slowly at first, but once it gets going, it really takes off. Expect big clusters of white flowers in late spring to early summer.
It does well in partial shade, which makes it great for fences that don’t get full sun all day. Hardy in zones 4–8, it needs little care beyond occasional pruning to keep it tidy.
3.) Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine (*Campsis radicans*) is a powerhouse climber that can cover a fence fast — we’re talking several feet of growth in a single season. It produces clusters of orange-red, tube-shaped flowers that hummingbirds absolutely love.
It thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soil, making it pretty low-maintenance. Hardy in zones 4–9, it comes back reliably each year.
Just a heads-up — it spreads aggressively, so plan to trim it back regularly to keep it in check.
4.) Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is a classic choice for covering a fence fast, and it smells amazing on warm evenings. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and isn’t too fussy about soil as long as it drains well.
Hardy in zones 4–9, it comes back reliably each year with minimal effort. Just give it something to climb, water it regularly while it gets established, and trim it back after flowering to keep things tidy.
5.) Wisteria
Wisteria is a fast-growing vine that can cover a fence in just a couple of seasons. It produces long, drooping clusters of purple or white flowers every spring that smell amazing. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s hardy in zones 3–9.
Just know that wisteria can get aggressive if you ignore it. Regular pruning a couple of times a year keeps it under control and actually encourages more blooms.
6.) Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper is a native vine that can cover a fence surprisingly fast, putting on several feet of growth each season. The leaves turn a rich red in fall, which makes it a nice seasonal bonus.
It grows well in sun or shade and handles drought once it’s established. Hardy in zones 3–9, it’s pretty low-maintenance overall. Just keep an eye on it — this one can spread aggressively if you’re not trimming it back now and then.
7.) Climbing Roses
Climbing roses are a classic choice for covering a fence while adding color and fragrance to your yard. They grow best in full sun with at least six hours of light daily and prefer well-drained soil. Most varieties are hardy in zones 4–9.
Train the canes along a trellis or fence as they grow, and prune in early spring to keep things tidy. Regular watering and a slow-release fertilizer in spring will keep them blooming through summer.
8.) Passion Flower
Passion flower is one of those plants that stops people in their tracks. The blooms look almost too interesting to be real, with their layered petals and wild, fringy centers. It grows fast and wraps itself around fences without much fuss.
It does best in full sun and well-drained soil. Water it regularly while it’s getting established, then it’s pretty low-maintenance. Hardy in zones 6–10, it can handle light frost but prefers warmer climates.
9.) Boston Ivy
Boston Ivy is a classic choice for covering fences fast. It grips surfaces with tiny adhesive pads, so no extra support is needed. In fall, the leaves turn shades of red and orange, giving your fence a nice seasonal look.
It grows well in full sun to partial shade and handles most soil types. Hardy in zones 4–8, it’s pretty low-maintenance once established. Just trim it back occasionally to keep it from spreading where you don’t want it.
10.) Jasmine
Jasmine is a classic choice for covering fences, and it grows quickly once it gets established. The sweet scent alone makes it worth planting near a patio or walkway. It works best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.
Most varieties are hardy in zones 7–10, though some can handle zone 6 with a little protection. Water regularly during the first season, then ease off once it’s settled in.
11.) Morning Glory
Morning Glory is a fast-growing annual vine that can shoot up 10 feet or more in a single season, making it a go-to choice for hiding an ugly fence quickly. The trumpet-shaped flowers come in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white.
It loves full sun and well-drained soil. Direct sow seeds after the last frost, and scratch them lightly before planting to speed up germination. It thrives in zones 3–10 as a warm-season annual.
12.) Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a warm-weather climber that can completely swallow a fence in a single growing season. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and once it’s established, it actually does better with less water. Best suited for zones 9–11.
Keep in mind those colorful parts aren’t flowers — they’re bracts, and they show up most when the plant is slightly stressed. A little neglect goes a long way with this one.
13.) Sweet Pea
Sweet peas are fast-growing annual climbers that can shoot up 6 feet or more in a single season, making them great for hiding an ugly fence in a hurry. They love cool weather, so plant them in early spring or fall in zones 2–11.
Give them a trellis or wire to grab onto, regular watering, and full sun. Deadhead the flowers often to keep them blooming. Just note they fade once summer heat kicks in.
14.) Dutchman’s Pipe
Dutchman’s Pipe (*Aristolochia macrophylla*) is a fast-growing vine with large, heart-shaped leaves that can cover a fence quickly, making it great for privacy screens.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Hardy in zones 4–8, it can grow up to 20–30 feet over time.
Just give it a sturdy trellis or fence to climb, water it regularly, and it’ll fill in gaps with minimal fuss.
15.) Chocolate Vine
Chocolate Vine (*Akebia quinata*) is a semi-evergreen climber that can shoot up to 30 feet, making it great for covering a fence fast. It gets its name from the light chocolate scent of its purple spring flowers.
It grows well in zones 5–9, handles both sun and partial shade, and isn’t too picky about soil. Just keep in mind it can spread aggressively, so regular trimming will keep it from taking over your whole yard.
16.) Climbing Snapdragon
Climbing snapdragon (*Asarina scandens*) is a fast-growing annual vine that can reach up to 6 feet in a single season, making it a solid choice for covering fences quickly.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Water regularly but don’t overdo it. It’s a tender perennial, so most gardeners grow it as an annual in zones below 9.
The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, which is always a nice bonus.
17.) Mandevilla
Mandevilla is a fast-growing tropical vine that produces big, showy blooms in pink, red, or white all summer long. It wraps easily around fence posts and trellises, giving you solid coverage without much effort.
It loves full sun and warm weather, so it thrives in zones 9-11. In cooler areas, grow it as an annual or bring it indoors before frost hits. Water regularly and feed it every few weeks during the growing season to keep those flowers coming.
18.) Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Black-Eyed Susan Vine (*Thunbergia alata*) is a cheerful, fast-growing annual that wraps itself around fences with ease. The yellow-orange flowers with dark centers keep coming all season long, giving you good coverage without much fuss.
Plant it in full sun with well-draining soil, and water regularly during dry spells. It thrives in zones 10–11 as a perennial but works great as an annual everywhere else. Expect it to climb 6–8 feet by midsummer.
19.) Scarlet Runner Bean
Scarlet Runner Bean is a fast-growing vine that can climb 10–15 feet in a single season, making it great for hiding an ugly fence quickly. It produces bright red flowers that attract hummingbirds, followed by edible beans you can actually cook with.
Plant it after the last frost in full sun and give it something to grab onto, like a trellis or wire. It thrives in zones 7–11 but works as an annual anywhere. Water regularly and it will take off fast.
