What makes spiky plants, or Dracaenas, a cult favorite is their association with house security. As odd as it may seem, these thorny sprouts keep potential security threats at bay without tarnishing the landscape of your garden or home.
These babies act as a defensive barrier to your property and add a surprise element at vulnerable points of your house. Think of them as a natural barbed wire fence!
Spiky plants add an edgy and groovy flavor to the essence of home gardening; they are a unique addition that spice up the diversity of home gardens.
Table of Contents
The 10 Best Spiky Plants for Your Home:
This blog post sports a collection of the best spiky house plants we have come across. These posh greens have a subtle flare and are also sharp enough to ward off unwelcomed visitors!
1. Agaves; Yummy Goodness
You might recognize this one by its long, spiked-shaped leaves. These spiky creatures belong to the monocots genus and are accustomed to growing in the arid regions of America.
Agaves are suited to grow indoors as well as outdoors, and they also come in wide varieties.
Like many of its spiky counterparts, Agaves also sport fleshy, succulent leaves with spiky tips.
They have a long life span of about two or three decades, and they can grow up to 6-10 feet long and attain a height of about 4 feet.
How To Grow Agaves:
These plants are drought resistant, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to water them every day.
They only need to be watered once the soil has dried out. Agaves thrive in hot, arid conditions so feel free to leave them directly under the sunlight.
Benefits:
Agave is the modern version of honey! It is a natural sweetener, and most people have started to prefer it over honey and sugar for its health benefits to diabetics.
It is known to have a low glycemic index as a sweetener and so it helps control blood sugar. The sap of this plant is also used to treat many gastrointestinal tract conditions such as ulcers, weak digestion, and constipation.
2. Aloe Vera; Skin Care and Style Go Hand in Hand
The most popular of all spiky plants is aloe vera. It’s easily recognizable with its thick, succulent, spiky leaves that ooze out gelatinous material when sliced open.
The sol-gel consistency of this plant has several health benefits; it is super low maintenance, and easy to grow.
A lot of people prefer juicing this plant for rejuvenation and revitalization of the body. You can also apply it to your skin for a cooling and refreshing effect.
However, some people are allergic to Aloe Vera gel – keep an eye out for that.
How To Grow Aloe Vera:
This succulent plant needs plenty of sunlight and the occasional watering once or twice a week. So you can perch it up on your windowsill or place it near your doorstep where it might catch plenty of sunlight, and it’s good to go.
Benefits:
Aloe vera is known to treat acne, reduce hair fall and promote hair growth and boost the immune system.
Furthermore, you can consume it as a drink by blending it with water which will help relieve symptoms of heartburn and constipation.
It has bactericidal properties and encourages wound healing. The application of Aloe Vera on canker sores relieves pain and promotes skin rejuvenation.
3. Cacti; Your Spiky Pal
We all know about this spiky friend; the Cactus’ water-retentive properties and resilience have made it a popular choice for gardeners with a brown thumb.
Cacti are low-maintenance plants, which makes them a suitable choice for beginners in horticulture and gardening.
These spikers come in different varieties, such as Christmas cacti, Moon Cacti, Old lady cacti, and Bunny ears cacti.
Cacti can extend up to 4 feet tall in height; they can also sprout lovely pink and yellow flowers on the top!
However, if you have naughty pets who meddle with plants, you might want to skip this option because cacti are highly dangerous for pets.
How To Grow Cacti:
They need to be watered once a week and need plenty of sunlight. Some varieties of cacti, such as the golden-barrel cactus, shy away from sunlight and need plenty of water. Each variety has its own ratio of water to sunlight.
Benefits:
Cacti are said to purify the air by removing toxins that are normally not seen by the naked eye. The cacti’s bulky, succulent leaves also help prevent attenuate the transmission of sound, thus lowering noise pollution!
4. Haworthia; Intricately Fashioned
These are small, tightly bundled, spiky leaves that grow up to 3-5 inches tall.
Haworthias have a somewhat edgy top and side profile. From the bird’s eye view, the leaves express intricate organization and structured patterns.
Due to their keen resemblance with the Aloe Vera plant, they have often been termed ‘Miniature Aloes’.
They are the perfect indoor plants that can be placed next to your computer on your work desk or by the kitchen window.
How To Grow Haworthia:
Haworthia is a succulent plant, so you occasionally need to water it once or twice every few weeks.
This bad boy can tolerate direct or indirect sunlight, so you can style your home with it indoors and outdoors alike.
Benefits:
Ancient healers used Haworthia to ward off evil spirits and for medicinal purposes to cure burns and coughs. Most of its medicinal properties are similar to that of Aloe vera gel.
5. Bougainvillea; Your Local Showstopper
Have you ever heard of the 4 o’clock family? Well, it’s about time you did!
Bougainvilleas are tropical plants; their name alone exudes a sense of grandeur and vibrance.
The Bougainvillea sports spiky ornamental vines that are a common sight on the roofs or walls of houses in Brazil.
This plant has dense branches that attain a height of 20-30 feet and spread widely with a ground cover of about 8-10 feet.
What makes them so likable is their exuberant splendor. Bougainvilleas boast the most vibrant and saturated Fuschia or purple-colored set of flowers with a paper-like texture.
Their presence makes houses stand out. Bougainvilleas are thoroughly celebrated plants.
How To Grow Bougainvillea:
This plant remains colorful throughout the year and is drought-resistant, but it can overgrow if not pruned properly.
Benefits:
Bougainvillea extract is used to brew tea to cure coughs and sore throats. Its extract has also been long used as a fertility control by many ancient tribes. In addition, it is also known for its anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.
6. Crown of Thorns; Beware!
This spiky plant is aptly named, and is the perfect example of deception!
Beneath the layer of the most luscious, crimson pink, velvety-petaled flowers lies a stack of razor-sharp thorns. The Crown of Thorns is literally a natural barb wire!
It has sharp thorns that are 2.5 cm long with brightly colored flowers on top in shades of red, orange, or yellow.
This plant is native to Madagascar but is easy to grow in all types of gardens.
Crown of Thorns has multidimensional history affiliated with it. It commemorates Baron Mileus, former governor of the Reunion; Mileus was the first to introduce the Crown of Thorns in France.
The Crown of Thorns is also known as the Christ plant, Christ’s thorn, or Euphorbia milii.
How To Grow:
Crown of Thorns is drought and heat-resistant, but overwatering can cause it to rot. The Crown of Thorns may be a bit tricky to grow, but serves the purpose of security quite well.
Benefits:
When cut, it produces a milky white sap that is poisonous to humans and dogs as it causes itching or irritation to the skin, but the Chinese use it as a cure for cancer. The South Americans believe it to be a cure for skin warts.
7. Barberry; Subtle yet Fierce
Grown in a hedge, Barberry bushes look very decorative and can ward off any intruders with their spiky thorns.
During fall, the Barberry boasts an attractive sight; its unique color transitions swivel red and pinkish hues towards warm, cozy, and subtle yellows.
How To Grow:
It can be grown in direct or indirect sunlight, making it perfect for indoor and outdoor situations.
Benefits of Barberry:
Barberry, as the name suggests, is known for its sour berries.
In Iran, its berries have been cultivated for centuries, not only for their nutritional benefits and as a cure for diabetes and acne.
Barberries can also tackle diarrhea, protect from metabolic syndrome, and are good for the teeth!
8. Hawthorn; The May Flower
The flowers of this plant are known as ‘May Blossoms’; which are tiny white flowers blooming in early Spring. The Hawthorn is also known as Crataegus, thornapple, quickthorn, whitethorn, and Mayflower.
These are blooming shrubs and belong to the family of roses. This plant houses berries that have impressive health benefits. However, its seeds can pose health hazards.
Hawthorns are known for their razor-sharp thorns that come in handy for home security without compromising the elegance of your house.
How To Grow:
They can be grown in full or partial sunlight. Particular attention must be paid to its watering regimens.
Benefits:
Every part of this plant is used as medicine. It is used for heart problems, anxiety, insomnia, or cholesterol.
9. Yucca; Mystique & Mysterious
This plant is native to the US. In appearance, it resembles a snake plant or dragon tree.
The Yucca grows at a slow pace and has a drought-resistant nature; therefore, its upkeep is a bare minimum. The leaves can be poisonous to pets; care and caution is advised if you have pets around the house.
Yucca is a gorgeous spiky plant; what makes it stand out from the crowd are its tall, sword-shaped, creamy-white flowers.
How To Grow:
Like most drought-resistant plants, they need sunlight and occasional watering when the soil has dried up.
Benefits of Yucca:
The roots of this plant are helpful in reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol.
10. Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata); Forever Favorite
You can recognize this plant by its spike-shaped, green leaves with red edges. This plant is ideal for beginners and advanced learners alike as it is low maintenance.
Once fully matured and aged, the Dragon Tree is a sight worth seeing! It looks like something out of a fantasy fable or one of Enid Blyton’s fiction stories about the far away tree.
How To Grow:
It can survive a range of temperatures but is best suited indoors in indirect sunlight. You can water them once their soil has dried out.
Benefits:
Dragon trees are rumored to bring luck and purify the air from allergens and toxins.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
Common house plants are inexpensive and can be bought from your local nursery. Only the rare ones are expensive.
Most spiky plants don’t require trimming or pruning, but the ones that do should be pruned with caution while wearing gloves to avoid getting pricked by the thorns.
Holly is a spiky plant with glossy leaves and red berries which is traditionally used at Christmas time.
Bougainvilleas belong to the 4 o’clock family because the flowers don’t boast their petals until late in the evening.