27 Best Spiky Plants for Home Security (2022)

Contents

When you think of home security, you might immediately picture tall fences, alarm systems, or even barbed wire.

However, what if you could embrace a more natural and verdant form of protecting your home from intruders or burglars?

That’s exactly what some gardeners choose to do by planting a variety of spiky plants that grow densely and are full of thorns. It will certainly make a trespasser think twice about pushing their way through such aggressive growths.

From trees to shrubs or from smaller growths to vines, read on for a detailed discussion on the types of spiky plants that can be used for home security!


Why Are Spiky Plants Good For Home Security?

You might be wondering how a plant could help deter someone from trespassing onto your property or breaking into your house. You should first consider how effective plants’ natural defenses are for themselves.

Thorns and spikes are great for keeping natural damages at bay for many plants, including animals who want to eat their branches or leaves. These defensive spines are effective for any humans who might get too close as well.

So, why do spiky plants work as a home security method? There are two main reasons.

1. Spiky Plants Deter Intruders

The likelihood of an intruder to lock eyes with the imposing natural thorns and spikes that certain plants have, and then continue to break into your property is lessened significantly.

Think of the last time you pricked yourself on a thorn—and now imagine experiencing that on your limbs while climbing through a spiky plant. It’s unlikely to be the first course of action for anyone!

2. Spiky Plants Slow Down Intruders

Even if the intruder is dead-set on trespassing onto your property, having to pass through a dense and spiky plant will slow them down significantly. Given that gardeners have to prune these plants with thick gloves and caution, anyone pushing their way through such a barrier will undoubtedly be injured to some extent.

Spiky Plant

Where To Plant Home Security Plants?

While spiky plants are unlikely to be your only line of defense against intruders, it’s a good idea to place them where they can offer the most protection for your property, including the following locations.

  • Around Windows.
  • Climbing Up The Walls.
  • In Front Of Weak Spots.
  • Obscuring Views Of House Interiors.
  • Supplementing Fences.

The key to planting these types of growth is establishing a secure perimeter with hedging or shrub-style spiky plants, protecting all window access and adding security to entryways, while still allowing for residents to have safe escape routes in case of emergency.


Best Spiky Plants For Home Security

If you are considering adding spiky plants to your garden or around your property to enhance your home security, then look no further than our comprehensive list of the best options you can choose from!

Keep reading to learn about 26 of the best spiky plant types for home security.

1. Acacia

Botanical Name: Acacia Paradoxa

Height: 7 to 13 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 10

Climate: Full sun or part shade.

Also known as the Kangaroo Thorn, this spiky plant is native to Australia, but will also thrive in similarly hot or arid climates. The Acacia grows incredibly tall and has dense, screening foliage, which is interspersed with long spines throughout the bush to deter touching it.

Acacia plant

2. Agave 

Botanical Name: A. Americana and variants

Height: 3 to 12 feet, depending on the type

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Climate: Full sun

Agave plant

These big, beautiful plants are perfect for subtle intruder prevention. Agave is typically known for tequila or syrup, but some varieties are also excellent for security and feature hardy, spined edges.

Some of the best plant sentries for your home include the four following varieties of Agave plants.

Agave Americana “MedioPicta Alba”

With a big white stripe down the middle of each of the Agave’s leaves, it’s a hard plant to miss. It also comes with large, toothed ribs along the edge of its greenery, and is very easy to plant yourself.

Agave Americana “Variegata”

Look for the yellow stripes down the sides of this Agave’s leaves, and note the large spines that stick out there, too. This is a great option if you want a bigger plant that is also easy to care for.

Agave “Ovatifolia”

Also known as the Whale’s Tongue Agave, this plant looks timid, but actually has dozens of small teeth along each of its many leaves. An intruder might not suspect it at first, but will certainly think twice after brushing up against this Agave.

Agave “Salmiana Ferox”

With the colloquial name of Vlad the Impaler Agave, this monstrous and spiky plant is the perfect sentinel for your home security. It’s not right for every property, due to its large size, but if you have the space it can be a big asset in a garden.

3. Aloe Vera Plants

Botanical Name: Aloe Vera and variants

Height: 1 to 2 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Climate: Full to partial sun

With great healing properties for burns and cuts, as well as being covered with big, spiky leaves, these are a great option for spiky plants as sentinels. Aloe Vera plants are generally not large, but they can be placed on a windowsill to deter anyone from reaching in.

There are many, many varieties of Aloe Vera plants, including two of the spikiest types, called Aloe Aristata and Aloe Polyphylla. These specimens have long, pointed leaves with small teeth along the edges.

Aloe Vera

4. Barberry Bushes

Botanical Name: Berberis

Height: 3 to 10 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Climate: Full sun or partial shade

Barberry Bushes

Perfect for growing in a hedge, Barberry bushes have lovely dark foliage and many imposing thorns. They grow into erect branches that are dense and difficult to penetrate for any intruders who want to keep their skin intact.

The common variety of Barberry is known as Berberis Vulgaris and can be found in yards across America. It can be cultivated for its edible but sour fruit, and is prized for the large spines that cover the entwined branches.

Sit back and watch your Barberry turn from crimson and purple to a fiery orange as the fall progresses, with yellow flowers popping up in the spring to offset the look of the long spines along its branches.

Alternatively, if you want to experiment with other kinds of Barberry plants in your garden, there are several subtypes of Barberry bushes that make the perfect spiky plants for your property’s defenses, including the following two variants.

Japanese Barberry “Berberis Thunbergii”

Gorgeous crimson foliage that hides some lethal spines, this lovely ornamental bush is perfect for giving a pop of color and the promise of defense to your garden.

Subvarieties of this Japanese Barberry plant are also available in smaller and dwarf sizes, while still being both ornamental and defensive for your property. Look for the “Crimson Pygmy” or the “Tangelo” hybrids to add to your array of spiky plants!

Wintergreen Barberry “Berberis Julianae”

As one of the hardier varieties of Barberry, anyone who lives in a cooler climate might benefit from a protective hedge of Wintergreen Barberry. Watch for buttery-yellow blooms and dark fruit amid the large spines that form all along its many branches.

5. Barrel Cactus

Botanical Name: Echinocactus and Ferocactus varieties

Height: Up to 3 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11

Climate: Full to partial sun

With over 30 varieties of cactus included in the family, the Barrel Cactus is a large, spherical, and imposing plant that we all know is spiky simply by its nature as a cactus.

The spines can reach up to 3 inches in length for fully matured specimens, making it difficult to circumvent for an intruder, with the added bonus of being one of the easiest spiky plants to care for!

Barrel Cactus

6. Blackberry

Botanical Name: Rubus Fruticosus

Height: 3 to 4 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3, 5 to 11

Climate: Full sun

Why not protect your property with a spiky plant that also bears delicious fruit during the summer? Blackberries are a great option for defensive bushes, as they not only grow hardily and incredibly quickly, but also produce plenty of berries to be used in your kitchen.

Prune your blackberries diligently to keep them growing in the direction you want and ensure the foliage and branches remain dense, but make sure that you wear gloves to protect yourself when trimming the verge!

Blackberry plant

7. Blackthorn

Botanical Name: Prunus Spinosa

Height: 9 to 12 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Climate: Full sun

Perfect for hedging uses, Blackthorn is a hardy plant with dense foliage and many long spines all along its branches, which also grow to be a surprising height.

This is one of the best spiky plants to use for the perimeters of your property, as it grows swiftly into thick, woody branches that will keep human and animal intruders alike from accessing your garden.

Blackthorn

8. Bougainvillea 

Botanical Name: Bougainvillea Glabra

Height: Between 3 to 30 feet, depending on the variety

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9 to 10

Climate: Full sun

This gorgeous and tropical vine is one of the best and most colorful forms of natural home security for your property. As spiky plants go, it’s attractive, tolerant, and wields dense and thorny branches for defense.

The biggest varieties can stretch up to 30 feet tall, but if that is too large you can consider a dwarf hybrid that only reaches about 6 feet, depending on your property and needs.

Bougainvillea

9. California Fuchsia

Botanical Name: Epilobium Canum

Height: 1 to 2 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Climate: Full sun

Bright crimson and flowering all summer long, the California Fuchsia is a great option for your spiky plant and home security needs. It grows low to the ground and is suitable for drier conditions, with foliage that forms into tight, sharp points right at the level of an ankle or shin.

california fuchsia

10. Century Plant

Botanical Name: A. Americana

Height: 3 to 5 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Climate: Full sun

From the Agave family, the Century Plant does not actually live for one hundred years. Instead, you can expect it to thrive in your garden for around 10 to 30 years, providing you and your property with excellent protection due to its spiny, spiked leaves.

century plant

11. Chinese Jujube

Botanical Name: Ziziphus Jujuba

Height: 15 to 35 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 10

Climate: Full sun to partial shade

Also known as the Chinese date tree, this large specimen is both ornamental and functional, with edible fruits and plenty of sharp thorns to deter people from touching the tree without protection. It is also particularly resistant to pests and diseases.

12. Cholla Cactus

Botanical Name: Cylindropuntia Fulgida

Height: Up to 13 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 and above

Climate: Full sun

This “jumping cactus” that originates from the Mexican deserts is one of the best ways to fend off unwanted intruders. With nearly every surface covered in thick spines, the Cholla Cactus is not a plant to be messed with! Just make sure your area is not too wet for planting, as it is a desert species.

Cholla Cactus

13. Crown Of Thorns

Botanical Name: Euphorbia Milii

Height: 2 to 5 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9b to 11

Climate: Full sun

With an appearance that matches its name, this plant is also known as the “Christ thorn” and sports thick vine-like stems covered in large spines.

The blooms are lovely, in hues of orange, yellow, and pink, but this particular succulent does not allow people to handle it easily without protective gloves on their hands.

14. Devil’s Walking Stick

Botanical Name: Aralia Spinosails

Height: Up to 30 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Climate: Full sun or light shade

Given just its name, this could be one of the best spiky plants for home security available! The Devil’s Walking Stick is a formidable species that sports long and sharp spines all over the stalks, stems, and branches of this plant, making it difficult to get through unscathed.

This plant tolerates drought very well, and is not affected by many types of common urban pollutants, making it very easy to care for.

Devil’s Walking Stick

15. Firethorn

Botanical Name: Pyracantha

Height: 6 to 16 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 9

Climate: Full sun, partial sun, or partial shade

A common favorite among gardeners who pursue spiky plants for home security, the Firethorn can grow incredibly large, and can be used as privacy hedges to prevent anyone from looking into your house.

Firethorns are adorned with spikes and dense foliage, producing berries in the fall and winter months to further obscure views from the outside.

16. Hawthorn

Botanical Name: Crataegus Monogyna

Height: 15 to 35 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 11

Climate: Full or partial sun

Sporting countless thorns that resemble small daggers, even growing up to 4 inches in length, the Hawthorn tree is not a species to be trifled with. It is also one of the best home security plants you can invest in, if you have enough space.

Not only does the Hawthorn deter intruders with its array of spikes, but you can also use virtually every part of the tree for a medicinal purpose!

Hawthorn

17. Holly

Botanical Name: Ilex Aquifolium

Height: Up to 30 or 50 feet, unpruned

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b, 7 to 9

Climate: Partial sun or light shade

Though a traditional symbol of Christmastime, the Holly plant is definitely not a sign of gentility. It is a lovely addition to your garden as a hedge or bush, however, and will attract birds to eat its crimson berries. Yet if anyone tries to trespass through the Holly plants, they won’t get away without some significant scratches.

18. Honey Locust

Botanical Name: Gleditsia Triacanthos

Height: 65 to 100 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8

Climate: Partial sun to light shade

This large tree brandishes some of the longest thorns that you can find on a plant, with some spikes reaching up to 8 inches long and set in clumps all over the trunk and branches! As such, most people don’t mess with the Honey Locust tree, making it ideal for a home security plant.

Honey Locust

19. Honey Mesquite

Botanical Name: Prosopis Glandulosa

Height: Up to 3 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 11

Climate: Full sun

Originating from the deserts of Mexico, this unique-looking shrub has twisted boughs and a variety of sharp thorns that resemble talons all over its bark. It is very tolerant and fast-growing, making it a great option for a home security hedge.

20. Japanese Quince

Botanical Name: Chaenomeles Speciosa

Height: Up to 6 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9

Climate: Full sun to partial shade

Are you looking for a defense shrub that also produces edible fruit during the season? This large deciduous plant could be for you then—with thin branches sporting both tart produce for making jam and pies, as well as a variety of hardy thorns and spines, the Japanese Quince offers both functionality and tastiness!

Japanese Quince

21. Ocotillo

Botanical Name: Fouquieria Splendens

Height: Up to 20 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Climate: Full sun

Wildly spiky and unique looking, this plant will draw eyes but also repel trespassers. And while it might seem like a cactus, the Ocotillo is a different type of semi-succulent plant entirely! It also attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bumblebees who can navigate around its many thorns.

22. Oregon Grape

Botanical Name: Mahonia Aquifolium

Height: 3 to 10 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9

Climate: Partial to full shade

Actually belonging to the same family as the Barberry, the Oregon Grape is a large, spiny shrub that makes a perfect boundary hedge for home protection. Its leaves also change color with the seasons, providing a vibrant show.

Oregon Grape

23. Porcupine Tomato

Botanical Name: Solanum Pyracanthum

Height: Approximately 3 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11

Climate: Full sun

Native to Madagascar, this plant is an exciting addition to your garden and home security setup. True to its name, the Porcupine Tomato is a spiny plant that sports long, orange spikes all down its massive leaves, sure to deter any ne’er-do-wells.

24. Prickly Pear

Botanical Name: Opuntia Humifusa

Height: Between 1 and 12 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11

Climate: Full to partial sun

One of the most cold-tolerant types of cacti, the Prickly Pear has an array of sharp needles all along the outside of its broad succulent pads, as well as tiny glochids that are minuscule spines just waiting to lodge into your skin. Trespassing through a Prickly Pear is not recommended!

Prickly Pear

25. Spanish Dagger

Botanical Name: Yucca Gloriosa

Height: 2 to 4 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 11

Climate: Full sun

This type of yucca is medium-sized but decked out with both blooms and a variety of thorns and leaves that terminate in distinct and sharp points. Not only is this plant a lovely addition to the garden, but will work to scare away would-be intruders!

26. Trifoliate Orange

Trifoliate Orange

Botanical Name: Citrus Trifoliata

Height: 13 to 26 feet

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9

Climate: Partial sun to light shade

Otherwise known as the Hardy Orange, this citrus tree is known for being tolerant to cold and frost, while also sporting very large thorns throughout its shoots and branches, often growing up to 2 inches long. Such a wickedly sharp mesh makes it nearly impossible for an intruder to make their way through this orange tree’s growth.


Best Products For Spiky Plants

In order to cultivate these varieties of spiky plants that are perfect for home security and help them thrive, gardeners will need some special tools, fertilizer, and other supplies. Keep reading for some of our top picks for spiky plant products!

1. AOKIWO 83 Pieces Garden Tools Set — Best Overall Tool Set

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Style: Gardening toolset

Material: Aluminum alloy

Size: 83 pieces

While spiky plants are a great option for home security, they can be difficult to get access to for pruning or maintenance. However, you can rely on these heavy-duty, aluminum alloy tools to accomplish a variety of tasks and keep your plants healthy.

Weed, transplant, prune, rake, and more with these anti-slip, anti-rust tools perfect for spiny and non-spiny plants alike.

Pros

  • Long-handles for spiny plant access
  • Anti-rust coating
  • Soft grip handles with ergonomic design
  • Many tools included for the price

Cons

  • Not all items pictured are included, depending on the bundle purchased
  • Some customers find the tools too lightweight

2. Joyclub 16 Pieces Succulent Tool Set — Tool Set Runner Up

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Style: Gardening toolset

Material: Wood, iron, plastic, rubber, and stainless steel

Size: 16 pieces

If you are looking to give your succulent garden some care and attention then this is the gardening set for you. With 16 pieces included in the set, you can tend to your succulents in a variety of ways, including transplanting, cleaning, pruning, and watering.

And if you have spiky succulents like Agave or Barrel Cacti, don’t worry—the easy-to-use tools allow you to attend to your plants without getting close enough to get pricked.

Pros

  • Includes all the equipment and tools needed for healthy and happy succulents
  • Easy-transport size that makes it simple to take with you
  • Instructions included for identifying and using each gardening tool

Cons

  • Plastic tool components can sometimes bend or crack
  • Some customers find the tools to be too lightweight

3. Kensizer 3-In-1 Soil Tester — Best For Monitoring Plant Health

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Style: 3-in-1 soil probe and tester

Application: Manual insertion

Size: 1 item in the package

Treatment Area: Repeated use, no battery required

For anyone who struggles to monitor soil conditions, this little device can be a lifesaver. Just by inserting it into the soil, you can get all the dirt on what the moisture, light, and pH levels are around your plants.

Simply pop the probe into the earth around your plant and take the reading. This will reveal fertilizer, moisture, and acidity levels essential to growing plants that thrive.

Pros

  • Usable on all types of soil
  • Prevents overwatering of plants
  • Helps monitor fertilizer levels in the soil

Cons

  • Some customers find an issue with faint pH level readings

4. Yard Butler Twist Tiller

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Style: Handheld gardening tool

Application: Manual insertion

Size: Handle is 35 inches long, the claw is 6 inches wide with 6 inch long teeth

Treatment Area: Repeated use

With an extra-wide handle and six teeth at the bottom, this tool makes a variety of common gardening tasks a walk in the park to complete. Perfect for weeding, planting, and aerating, you can prepare the soil as well as use it to mix in compost or dig holes for plants.

For use on raised garden beds, trough gardens, and food gardens alike, this heavy-duty and multi-functional tool is a great addition to any yard worker’s arsenal.

Pros

  • Ergometric design for user comfort
  • Heavy-duty steel material
  • Weight-centering middle step plate for better leverage
  • Good for a variety of uses in the garden

Cons

  • Tiller spokes can bend when used on particularly hard earth, such as rocks and concrete underlying the soil
  • Rubber handle can sometimes slip off the metal

5. FROZZUR Mini Lower Body Pot Flower Planter For Indoor Or Outdoor Plants

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Style: Indoor/outdoor flower pot

Material: Resin

Size: Approximately 5 inches in diameter, 4.5 inches in height

Made with lightweight and durable resin, this flower pot is the perfect statement piece for inside your home or greenhouse, or for outside placement in the garden or patio.

Settle your succulents or small plants in this cheeky container that uses an artsy and tasteful design to draw the eye and create a unique aesthetic. The piece also features drainage holes along the bottom of the pot to facilitate good soil drainage for whatever plant you choose to home within it!

Pros

  • Dirt-resistant surface to keep the pot clear of soil debris
  • Drainage holes for easy watering
  • Well-packaged for safe shipping

Cons

  • Some customers find it too small for their plants
  • Only the lower body is featured on this pot

6. Double Zed Succulent Pots With Drainage, Set of 3

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Style: Set of three flower pots

Material: White ceramic with smooth white glaze

Size: 4-inch flower pot, 5-inch flower pot, and 6-inch flower pot

Great for a variety of small plants and succulents, these pots come as a set of heavy-duty ceramic items in three sizes.

Fitted with drainage holes to prevent moisture from pooling in your potting soil, these planters are the perfect addition to your indoor garden. Unlike some other pots, they also come with bamboo trays specifically designed to capture the excess water and prevent your furniture from getting scratched or developing water damage spots.

Pros

  • Great drainage
  • Bamboo plant coasters included
  • High quality ceramic material
  • Pot shape can stimulate root growth

Cons

  • Plants not included

7. MicroLife Humates Plus 0-0-4 All Organic Biological Fertilizer

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Style: Concentrated compost in a bag

Application: Manual spread over the soil

Size: 40 pounds

Treatment Area: Approximately 4,000 sq. feet

A biological and physical soil conditioner that contains all the minerals, vitamins, and natural plant hormones, and stimulators that are necessary for a thriving garden, this fertilizer is a great option for many landscapers.

Even if you have clay soil, you can rely on this fertilizer to remove salt and toxins from the ground and amplify its natural ability to retain moisture. Plus, the variety of micro-organisms contained in the mixture will help make your lawn and garden the healthiest it’s ever been.

Pros

  • Special formula for increased water infiltration and oxygen flow in soil
  • Major nutritional boost for plants
  • Good soil conditioner for turfgrass and gardens alike

Cons

  • Some users have found it difficult to scatter evenly with a broadcast spreader

8. Jobe’s Organics Fertilizer Spikes For Bountiful Succulents

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Style: Pre-measured, slow-release plant fertilizer spikes

Application: Manual insertion

Size: 0.6 oz of product, each spike approximately 1 inch long

Treatment Area: 12 individual applications

Use these fertilizer spikes to guarantee the right nutrients make it to your succulents all year round. Simply place a number of them at the edge of the container, depending on the size of your plant, and watch the magic happen.

With a natural formula that releases healthy and organic nutrients directly to your plant’s roots, this is a great way to promote growth!

Pros

  • Once-a-year fertilizer spike, depending on the size of your plant and pot
  • Easy to use and all-natural
  • Low odor and non-toxic

Cons

  • Fertilizer spikes can grow mold in very wet soil conditions

9. Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food

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Style: Concentrated liquid plant fertilizer

Application: Directly to soil or diluted with water and sprayed onto plant

Size: 2 bottles,8 oz. each

Feed your succulents with this liquid fertilizer every two weeks and watch the transformation happen. Your succulents and cacti will benefit from the array of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins contained in this fast-acting formula, and with an easy-to-apply pump, you don’t have to worry about overfeeding your plants.

Pros

  • Special formula to keep succulents alive and thriving
  • Product is easy to apply
  • Bi-weekly feeding schedule

Cons

  • Some types of succulents did not have noticeable change for a few users
  • Product volume does not last very long for the price

Final Thoughts

Spiky plants are a fascinating type of garden growth, and one that can be used for many purposes, not the least of which is for home security.

Burglars and intruders are likely to think twice before barging through a bush that is adorned with a multitude of little dagger-like spikes, so you can encourage pretty plant growth while also boosting the protection of your property!

FAQ

Now that we have delved deep into all the dirt on types of spiky plants, the root of why you want to plant them, the best products for propagation, and more, let’s take a look at some of the basic queries gardeners tend to have about our spiky friends.

What Are The Spiky Plants Called?

While this is a general question, the answer largely depends on which plant you are looking for. The most common spiky plants for gardeners include not only the decorative Dracaena plant, but also outdoor Agave plants, cactus types, and even rose bushes.

If you are looking for hedge-like plants that are spiky, you might be thinking of Hawthorn trees or perhaps Blackberry bushes, both of which cultivate large and imposing spiky outgrowths along their branches, making them great for security

What Plants Have Spiky Leaves?

Plants have many types of defense mechanisms, from toxins to waxy coatings, but one of the most efficient protection methods is by growing spiky leaves. Plants with these spikes include popular garden growths like Agave, Oregon Grape, and Holly.

Such plants have spines all along their leaves, but you can also find plants with both leaf and branch spikes for added sharpness and intruder deterrence.

What Plant Has The Biggest Thorns?

Generally, the Honey Locust tree is thought to have the biggest thorns of a defensive plant. Under the right conditions, this tree can propagate clumps of spikes along its branches and trunk that can reach up to 8 inches in length.

If you are looking for a smaller plant that also has sets of imposing spines, but without having to plant a tree, there are also several varieties of roses that have big thorns.

Do Dracaena Come Back Every Year?

The answer to this is twofold—if you want to plant your Dracaena outdoors, it will likely only be an annual growth. However, if you correctly overwinter the Dracaena plant indoors, it can be enjoyed for several seasonal regrowths.

If your property is within USDA zones 3 to 8, you can expect it to only last for one season without being brought inside over the winter. Or, if you live in zones 9 to 11, you can propagate it as a perennial greenhouse growth or exotic houseplant!

Which Plants Have Thorns For Protection?

It is common to think of flowers like roses with thorns, but there are a great many plant varieties that use thorns or spines as protection, as we have discussed previously.

These include shrubs like Pyracantha and Blackthorn, succulents like Barrel Cacti and Agave, trees like Holly and Locust, and even vines like Bougainvillea.

Spiky plants that have thorns for protection are not only good at defending themselves, but also for adding security to your property by deterring intruders from pushing through their spiny branches.

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