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Buying the trees is half the job. Our crew plants at the proper depth and spacing so your hedge thrives long term, not just survives.
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1/4Privacy Hedges & Screening
Indian Laurel (Ficus Nitida)
Southern California's gold standard privacy hedge. Dense, fast growing, and evergreen year round, Ficus Nitida tolerates heat, recovers from heavy shearing, and grows tight enough that even a single row delivers full privacy at maturity.
SeasonalityEvergreen
Sun ExposureFull sun to partial shade
Growing ZonesUSDA zones 9, 10, and 11
Choose your size 4 sizes
Pricing is confirmed at quote based on size, quantity, and delivery distance.
Request a Custom Quote Hand-selected Protected delivery Planting available
Everything You Need to Know About Indian LaurelBrand video coming soon, filmed at the nursery in Pacoima.
Why Indian Laurel?
Ficus Nitida is the gold standard for privacy screening in Southern California. It tolerates heat, recovers from heavy shearing, and delivers lush, deep-green foliage year round. We grow our Ficus the right way from the start, straight central leaders, dense interior branching, healthy root balls, so your hedge fills in faster and holds its shape with less maintenance.
Planting & Spacing Guide
For a solid privacy wall, we typically plant Indian Laurel 3 feet apart, center to center. Closer spacing fills in faster. Wider spacing saves on tree count but takes longer to close up. Once established, expect 2 to 3 feet of growth per year. Starter trees planted at 6 feet often reach 10 to 12 feet within two seasons with proper watering and care.
A Note on Root Safety
Ficus roots can be aggressive. Before planting near a pool, foundation, driveway, or sewer line, ask us about safe distances for your specific site. Root barriers are available for tight installs.
Care at a Glance
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
- Mature Height
- Commonly maintained at 8 to 20+ feet depending on use
- Mature Width
- 2 to 3 feet as a sheared hedge, wider if left natural
- Sun Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Watering
- Deep watering 3x/week for the first 6 to 8 weeks after planting, then 2x/week in warm season and 1x/week in winter
- Growing Zones
- USDA zones 9, 10, and 11
Frequently Bought Together
Root barrier (recommended for plantings near pools, foundations, or sewer lines), soil amendments, fertilizer, and support stakes for larger box sizes.
Ask About Add-onsContractor or Landscaper?
We are a working Ficus grower, not a re-seller. Contractors get direct-from-grower pricing, bulk quantities, and coordinated delivery to the job site.
See Wholesale PricingFrequently Asked Questions
How fast does Indian Laurel grow?
Once established, expect 2 to 3 feet of growth per year. Starter trees planted at 6 feet often reach 10 to 12 feet within two seasons.
How far apart should I plant Indian Laurel for a solid hedge?
We typically recommend 3 feet apart, center to center, for a solid privacy wall.
Will the roots damage my pool or foundation?
Ficus roots can be aggressive. We will advise on safe planting distances for your specific site, and root barriers are available for tight installs.
How often should I water a new Indian Laurel hedge?
Water deeply 3 times a week for the first 6 to 8 weeks after planting. After that, shift to 2 times a week in warm season and once a week in winter.
Do you deliver and plant, or just deliver?
Both. Choose delivery only, or add professional planting so our crew installs the hedge for you.
What if I already bought my hedge from Unidad? Can I still get care advice?
Yes. Call us anytime. We are happy to advise past customers on watering, shearing, and feeding schedules.