Common privet Ligustrum vulgare
Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Oleaceae family. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.
Plan Common privet in your garden →
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Common privet at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Oleaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 80 cm (31 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Common privet toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: berries, leaves
Berries and leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and colic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common privet
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Common privet
- How far apart should I plant Common privet?
- About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Common privet need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common privet need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Common privet?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Common privet flower?
- From about June for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common privet poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Berries and leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and colic.
- What grows well with Common privet?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common privet. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Hedging shrub; spacing assumes a clipped hedge.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris
- Forsythia Forsythia x intermedia
- Common jasmine Jasminum officinale
- Olive Olea europaea
- Sweet osmanthus Osmanthus fragrans
- Arabian jasmine Jasminum sambac
- Early lilac (Chinese lilac) Syringa oblata
- Night jasmine (parijat) Nyctanthes arbor-tristis