Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
A naturally narrow and tall growth habit is the defining feature of the Straight Talk privet, a cultivar within the Ligustrum genus. It grows over ten feet tall but keeps a tight spread between two to four feet without pruning. Few maintenance requirements and an ability to tolerate drought and cold make this shrub exceptionally suited to urban plantings. Pollinators are attracted to the small, fragrant flowers that appear in late spring; birds enjoy the black berries that develop later.
This ligustrum makes an excellent hedge. The lush, glossy green foliage fills in thickly to create a privacy screen. It's strong, upright and narrow habit is great for providing a vertical accent in a tight space. The leaves are tight and tidy looking, so the Straight Talk privet pairs well as a background for smaller plants with a rougher texture.
Straight Talk Privet Care
The Straight Talk privet grows well under average home landscape situations. It prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts to both moist and dry locations as long as it is not constantly waterlogged, but the ideal soil is moist and well-drained. This privet is drought tolerant. Irrigate it occasionally during the period of establishment and check the soil around the plant during extended hot, dry weather.
You can trim this privet at any point; it responds well to pruning. Try to time heavy shearings for early spring or just after the shrub has finished flowering. Whenever possible, keep the bottom a bit wider than the top so that sunlight can penetrate to the bottom parts of the plant.
Straight Talk Privet Spacing
To make a living wall of this privet shrub, plant them 18 inches apart. To create a privacy screen quickly, zig-zag the plants with this spacing. Give specimens that will stand alone or that you do not plan to prune a bit more space.
Straight Talk Privet Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 8-12 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-4 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Semi-Evergreen, Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Straight Talk Privet
- Botanical Name
- LIGUSTRUM 'STRAIGHT TALK'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: ID, ME, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!