Live Fencing for Farms & Homes: Cheap, Natural Bio-Security Barriers (2025)

BeyondForest
May 13
5 min read

Updated: May 25

Well-trimmed green hedge with tiny pink flowers lines a sidewalk under palm trees. Bright, sunny day with vibrant greenery.

Image of a Baleria Cristata Hedge Fence by Carnations Landscape

By the end of this section you will have learnt

1.)Types of Fences

2.) Baleria Cristata Hedge

10.)Where to buy live fences

Types of Fences

A stone wall under construction, with a long, layered structure and scattered rocks. Green trees in the background, open sky above.

Image of a Perimeter wall by Dickson

Fencing is essential for security, boundary marking, and protecting property. There are several types of fences, each suited to different budgets, purposes, and environments.One of the most common is the perimeter wall fence, often built with stone or concrete blocks. It is highly secure and durable, making it ideal for residential estates, institutions, and private property. It may also be topped with electric wire, broken glass, or razor wire for added security.

White metal fence with barbed wire runs alongside a dirt path. Surrounding green trees and clear blue sky create a serene, open setting.

Image of a Wire Mesh Fencing by Shuk bal

Another popular type is the pole with wire mesh fence, typically used on farms, schools, and plots under development. Wooden or metal poles are spaced evenly, with a chain-link mesh or barbed wire attached. It’s cost-effective and offers moderate protection, especially when combined with a hedge or live plants.

Wooden fence with wire mesh stretches into the distance on a rural pathway. Overcast sky and grassy terrain set a serene mood.

Image of an Electric Fence by Jalas Fencer

Electric fences are widely used in urban areas and ranches. They can stand alone or be mounted on top of perimeter walls. These fences deliver mild, non-lethal shocks to intruders and are excellent for deterring trespassing and theft.

Tall, neatly trimmed green Kei Apple hedge lines a wet sidewalk with a backdrop of classic brick houses and trees, creating a serene urban setting.

Live fences, also called bio-fences, involve planting thorny or dense vegetation such as Kei Apple, Bougainvillea, Euphorbia, or Cactus. These fences are eco-friendly, provide long-term privacy, and improve the aesthetic appeal of the land. However, they require regular pruning and take time to mature.

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Baleria Cristata Hedge

Barleria cristata, commonly known as the Philippine violet or crested Philippine violet, is an attractive, fast-growing shrub used as a hedge plant valued for its lush foliage and beautiful purple, blue, or white flowers that bloom profusely, especially during the rainy seasons.

Chain-link fence with lush green ivy and purple Baleria flowers lines a dirt path. Behind the fence, a garden with various plants and a house is visible.

Image of Baleria Cristata Hedge by Carnation Landscapes

Baleria Cristata has some medicinal value in traditional medicine and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Dense green Baleria hedge with purple flowers lines a sidewalk next to a modern building, under a partly cloudy sky.

Barleria cristata

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A wheelbarrow filled with green Baleria plants in pots. A person in blue pants stands nearby, with a car trunk open in a dirt-filled area.

Image of Baleria Cristata Seedlings by Carnation Landscapes

As a hedge, Barleria cristata is ideal for boundary marking, privacy screening, and ornamental landscaping. It grows quickly, forming a thick, bushy barrier that can reach 1.5 to 2 meters in height.

Trimmed green Baleria hedge along a sunlit brick pathway, with lush trees above. A clear blue sky creates a peaceful and vibrant scene.

It is not thorny, so while it doesn’t provide high security like Kei apple, it works well where aesthetics and moderate separation are the priority.

Image of a wonderful Baleria Hedge

Young green Baleria Cristata plants in black plastic bags on a reddish soil background. The vibrant leaves create a fresh and lively mood.

It’s commonly planted along walkways, residential compounds, gardens, and institutional landscapes.

Field with a wire fence, small baleria plants in plastic bags along a dirt path, and a person in boots on the right. Calm, rural setting.

This hedge requires regular pruning to maintain its shape and promote branching, which results in denser growth. Barleria cristata prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for many parts of Kenya, including semi-arid areas.

Two people planting young Baleria hedge plants along a wire fence with red soil. One wears a red shirt and hat. Bright, sunny day.

Japonica Fence

Ligustrum japonicum, commonly known as Japanese privet, is a popular ornamental shrub used for hedging and fencing .

Caren Muthoni in a blue dress stands smiling among tall Japonica potted plants on a dirt path. Green foliage surrounds her, creating a lively mood.

Image of Caren Muthoni a Pro Landscaper standing close to a Japonica

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Known for its dense foliage, glossy dark green leaves, and fast growth rate, it creates a lush, evergreen barrier that is both functional and visually appealing.As a fence plant, Japanese privet is ideal for privacy hedges, property boundaries, and landscape borders.

Bushy green Japonica hedge in front of a brick house on a clear day, set against a bright blue sky with sparse clouds.

When planted about 30–60 cm apart, the plants quickly grow into a thick, uniform hedge that can reach heights of 2 to 4 meters, depending on pruning and growing conditions. The hedge can be shaped neatly or allowed to grow naturally for a softer look.

Green Japonica hedge borders a lush lawn in a garden setting. Dense foliage with varying shades of green. Bright, serene outdoor scene.

Ligustrum japonicum thrives in well-drained soil and performs well in full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for various regions in Kenya. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and helps maintain the desired height and shape.

Kei Apple Fence

The Kei Apple (Dovyalis caffra) is a highly effective and popular live fence plant in Kenya, especially for farms, homesteads, and institutions.

Tall, slender, reddish-brown kei apple tree trunks stand close together against a backdrop of green foliage, creating a dense natural scene.

Image of Kei Apple Branches

Native to Southern Africa, the Kei Apple is a thorny, evergreen shrub that grows densely and is ideal for creating natural, impenetrable barriers. When planted closely—about 1 to 1.5 feet apart—it forms a thick hedge that is extremely difficult for people or animals to pass through.

Bush with yellow Kei Apple fruits along a dirt road lined with trees. A wooden post supports the bush. Overcast sky and scattered debris on the ground.

Image of Kei Apple Fence with Kei Apple Fruits In Thome Estate

One of the key advantages of a Kei Apple fence is its security. The plant develops long, sharp thorns that act as a natural deterrent to intruders. It is also drought-resistant, thriving in a wide range of climatic conditions, making it suitable for both arid and highland regions in Kenya.

Kei Apple Seedling

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In addition to security, the Kei Apple serves multiple purposes. It produces small, yellow, plum-like fruits that are edible and can be made into jam or juice. The hedge also acts as a windbreak and privacy screen. With proper pruning, it can be shaped into neat, attractive boundaries that enhance landscape aesthetics.

However, it requires regular maintenance—pruning and watering during dry seasons—to keep it dense and manageable. Overall, Kei Apple is a low-cost, long-lasting, eco-friendly fencing solution.

Pathway with a red dirt trail and green bushes beside a tall concrete wall. A road with a lone car is visible on the left under a gray sky.

Image of a Kei Apple Fence Growing Along a Perimeter wall

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Bamboo Fence

Potted bamboo plants and ceramic pots displayed outdoors under a clear sky, surrounded by greenery, creating a vibrant, natural setting.

Miniature bamboo is a compact, fast-growing plant ideal for creating natural live fences and privacy screens in gardens or residential spaces. Unlike larger bamboo varieties, it stays low and bushy, making it easy to manage and shape.

Miniature bamboo

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Dense green bamboo hedge lines a sidewalk with yellow and white curbs. The text "Bamboo hedge" is on the image. Clear sky overhead.

Its dense, evergreen foliage forms an effective visual barrier, perfect for blocking unwanted views while enhancing the landscape. Miniature bamboo is drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and thrives in well-drained soil with moderate sunlight. It also adds a touch of elegance with its fine-textured leaves and upright stems.

Bouganivillea

A Bougainvillea fence is a vibrant, natural barrier that combines beauty with functionality. Known for its colorful, papery bracts in shades of pink, purple, red, orange, and white, Bougainvillea creates an eye-catching live fence that adds tropical charm to any property.

Image of a Bouganivillea Fence by Henry Ke

It grows rapidly and can be trained to climb along fences, walls, or wire supports, forming a dense, thorny hedge that enhances privacy and deters intruders.

A hedge of vibrant Bouganivillea red flowers lines a lush green path under a clear blue sky, creating a serene and colorful garden scene.

Image of a Bougainvillea Fence By Kenn Landscapper

Bougainvillea fence thorny branches act as a natural deterrent against animals and trespassers while softening the look of concrete or chain-link barriers.

Lantana Camara

Purple and white flowers line a garden path next to a beige wall. Green leaves contrast with the vibrant blooms, creating a serene scene.

Image of Lantana Camara Fence by Landscapper Maggie

Lantana camara is a hardy, fast-growing flowering shrub known for its vibrant, multi-colored flower clusters that bloom in shades of pink, yellow, red, orange, and purple. Native to tropical regions of the Americas, it has spread widely across the world and is commonly used in landscaping for hedging, borders, and ground cover. Its ability to thrive in poor soils, resist drought, and grow quickly makes it ideal for live fencing and erosion control.

Lush Lantana Camara plants with small red, orange, and white flowers in black bags on earthy ground, creating a vibrant, fresh garden scene.

Image of Lantana Camara Seedling for sale by Newton Maina

Lantana camara forms a dense, bushy structure with rough-textured, aromatic leaves and thorny stems, making it effective as a protective barrier against intruders or animals. The plant blooms nearly year-round in warm climates and attracts butterflies, bees, and birds, contributing to garden biodiversity.

Durantha Hedge

Duranta hedge, commonly known as Duranta erecta or skyflower, is a fast-growing ornamental shrub ideal for live fencing and decorative hedges. It features vibrant green to golden-yellow foliage and, in some varieties, produces delicate purple or blue flowers followed by golden berries.