How Far Apart Should You Plant Lilly Pilly? Spacing Guide for Fast Privacy

Lilly Pilly is one of Australia’s favorite plants for creating a lush, green privacy screen. It grows quickly, responds well to pruning, and suits everything from suburban backyards to boundary hedges, pool areas and larger landscape projects.

But there is one detail that can make or break your hedge: spacing.

Plant your Lilly Pilly too far apart and you may wait years for the gaps to close. Plant them too close and the plants can compete for water, nutrients and airflow, leading to weaker growth and more maintenance.

As a general guide, plant Lilly Pilly 60–80 cm apart for a dense privacy hedge. For a more relaxed, informal screen, spacing of 1–1.5 meters apart can work well, depending on the variety and final height you want.

Key Takeaways

• For fast privacy, space most Lilly Pilly hedge plants 60–80 cm apart.
• For a very tight formal hedge, use closer spacing around 50–60 cm.
• For informal screening, allow 1–1.5 meters between plants.
• Larger-growing varieties need more space than compact cultivars.
• Good soil preparation and early pruning are just as important as spacing.

Why Lilly Pilly Spacing Matters

A privacy hedge is not just a row of plants. It is a living screen that needs room to grow sideways, upwards and below ground.

Correct spacing encourages each plant to fill out evenly. It also helps the hedge knit together into a dense wall of foliage without becoming overcrowded. When spacing is right, you get better airflow, healthier roots and a more natural-looking screen.

For Australian home gardeners and landscapers, this is especially important because Lilly Pilly is often used along fences, driveways and neighboring boundaries where space is limited.

Recommended Lilly Pilly Spacing Guide

For a Fast, Dense Privacy Hedge

If your main goal is privacy, plant Lilly Pilly 60–80 cm apart. This is the sweet spot for most common hedging varieties because it allows plants to join together reasonably quickly without placing them under too much pressure.

For example, along a 10-metre fence line, spacing plants 75 cm apart would require around 13 to 14 plants.

This spacing suits many popular varieties used for screening, including Syzygium and Acmena types.

For a Tight Formal Hedge

For a clipped, formal hedge with minimal gaps, you can plant closer at around 50–60 cm apart. This is useful where you want a dense green wall, such as beside a pool, courtyard or front boundary.

However, closer planting means more pruning, watering and feeding. The plants will compete sooner, so regular maintenance is essential.

For an Informal Screen

If you prefer a softer, more natural look, space plants 1–1.5 meters apart. This works well for larger blocks, rural properties or garden beds where the hedge does not need to become solid immediately.

This wider spacing gives each Lilly Pilly more room to develop its natural shape. It can also reduce long-term maintenance.

How Variety Affects Spacing

Not all Lilly Pillie's grow the same way. Some are compact and bushy, while others can become tall screening trees.

Compact Varieties

Smaller cultivars are ideal for narrow spaces, low hedges and smaller gardens. These can often be planted closer together, usually around 50–70 cm apart, depending on the mature size.

Medium Screening Varieties

Most common Lilly Pilly hedging plants fit into this group. For these, 60–80 cm spacing is usually practical for a fast privacy screen.

Large-Growing Lilly Pillie's

If you are planting a taller screen or windbreak, allow more space. Larger varieties may be better at 1–1.5 meters apart, especially if you want them to develop into a looser screen rather than a tightly clipped hedge.

How to Plant Lilly Pilly for Fast Privacy

Good spacing helps, but it is only one part of the process. To encourage strong, even growth, prepare the site properly before planting.

Start by removing weeds and grass along the planting line. Improve the soil with compost or quality organic matter, especially in sandy or compacted soils. Dig holes slightly wider than the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery pot.

Water each plant deeply after planting, then mulch around the base. Keep mulch away from the trunk to prevent rot.

For the first few months, consistent watering is crucial. Lilly Pilly can establish quickly, but young plants dry out faster than mature hedges.

Common Lilly Pilly Spacing Mistakes

Planting Too Close for Instant Results

It is tempting to plant very close together for faster cover, but overcrowding can backfire. Plants may grow tall and thin instead of full and bushy. Airflow can also suffer, increasing the risk of pest and disease issues.

Planting Too Far Apart

Wide spacing can save money upfront, but it may leave gaps for years. If privacy is the goal, avoid spacing small plants too far apart unless you are prepared to wait.

Forgetting the Mature Width

Always consider the mature size of the variety you are planting. A compact hedge plant and a tall screening Lilly Pilly should not be spaced the same way.

Skipping Early Pruning

Many gardeners wait too long before pruning. Light trimming early on encourages branching and helps the hedge thicken from the base. This is especially important if you want a solid privacy screen rather than a row of narrow trees.

Extra Tips for a Thicker Lilly Pilly Hedge

Feed plants during the growing season with a suitable native-friendly or general-purpose fertilizer, depending on the variety and soil conditions. Water deeply rather than lightly sprinkling the surface.

Prune little and often while the hedge is young. Light tip pruning encourages side shoots, which helps the hedge fill in faster.

Also keep an eye out for psyllids, which can cause pimple-like bumps on new growth in some Lilly Pilly varieties. Choosing resistant varieties and maintaining healthy growth can help reduce problems.

Is Lilly Pilly the Best Privacy Plant for Your Garden?

Lilly Pilly is a reliable choice for many Australian gardens, but it is not the only option. Depending on your space, light, soil and desired look, clumping bamboo may also be worth considering for fast, elegant screening.

The Bamboo Jungle specializes in practical garden screening solutions, including bamboo plants that can provide height, movement and privacy without taking over the garden when the right clumping type is chosen.

For a formal clipped hedge, Lilly Pilly is hard to beat. For a tall, tropical-style screen with a narrow footprint, bamboo may be a smart alternative.

Conclusion

For most Australian gardens, the best Lilly Pilly spacing for fast privacy is 60–80 cm apart. Go closer for a tight formal hedge, or wider for a softer informal screen. The right spacing will depend on the variety, garden size and how quickly you want coverage.

To get the best result, combine correct spacing with healthy soil, deep watering, mulch and regular light pruning. With the right start, Lilly Pilly can grow into a beautiful, dense and practical privacy screen that adds greenery, structure and value to your outdoor space.