Before there were electronic alarms, there were plants for home security.
One of the best self-defense mechanisms you can have for your home will be some of the best plants you can buy.
It is good to use natural means as you are beautifying your home and giving it more curb appeal.
People may think that plants are not great at defending your home but they may not be thinking about the plants on this list.
They may be thinking about pansies, daffodils, and other defenseless plants.
But before you go out and buy a lot of plants for your home, keep reading to find out what the best plants for home security are.
Where to plant the defensive plants
This is as important as using plants to defend your home.
The key to using these plants though is to make sure you know how to plant them, which soil they need and what type of drainage they need.
It won’t do you any good to spend the money on these plants, then not know the time to plant them.
Otherwise, they will die on you soon after planting.
Also, you need to make sure that you and your family can escape a house fire, etc., through those very same entry points you are defending.
Here are some locations to help you plant those plants that will help protect your home:
#1. The perimeter
Climbing thorny plants are good around fences and walls.
Or plant a hedge that has spikes instead of building a fence.
You can also train those climbing plants to grow around the top of the fence or wall for added protection.
#2. Under your windows
You want low-growing spike plants under your windows to thwart any attempt to break in.
Make sure to see how tall they grow as you only want them to the bottom of the window at best.
Also, you do not want to block any fuse boxes or manholes.
Or anything else that is used for the maintenance of your property.
#3. Flower boxes, trestles, and similar locations
You will want small spike plants for those second-story window boxes.
Watch out for trestles as they can help a burglar climb up.
Make sure the plants on those are not accommodating this effort.
10 plants to select to protect your home
This is not an exhaustive list but it is one that will get you started looking at the different types of plants for home security that can discourage burglars from getting inside your home.
#1. Agave
This Mexican plant does not grow that tall and it is a hardy plant if you put it in the sun and soil that drains very well.
Plus, it resists droughts so if your region does not get a lot of rain, this is the ideal plant.
The leaves come to a sharp point and can grow between 3 to 4 feet in length.
Plus, along the leaves’ sides, you have lots of sharp points.
If tall enough, these plants can be very discouraging to thieves.
#2. Barberry
With over 400 species of this type of plant, you should be able to find one that fits your landscaping.
They can grow up to 10 feet high and are often somewhere between 3 and 10 feet in height.
What makes this plant so good for defensive purposes is the single thorn under each leave.
It is a hidden secret and those those can grow to at least an inch in size.
Just make sure its species are not banned in your state.
#3. Barrel Cactus
Very popular in the desert but also very defensive.
It can be a beautiful addition to your home’s landscaping but its sharp thorns make it a very good defensive plant.
It does grow in a barrel shape and it can get to a nice size.
However, this is not a cold-weather plant and does not like frost.
This is a plant made for those people who have homes in the desert.
If you have small children or pets, it is best to keep them away from these plants.
#4. Blackthorn
The fruit of this plant is very delicious once you add a little sugar.
It is also used to make a nice liqueur.
The tree itself is very pretty to look at as well.
However, be careful when you reach inside the leaves.
The thorns that are there will cut someone’s hands or arms.
The thorns can grow up to 2 inches in length. Winter is not its best season for looking good.
The leaves will drop off and the bush will look scraggly.
It grows quickly in almost any soil.
#5. Blackberry
This not always a great plant for city life as it can grow quickly and very wildly.
When it grows, it covers a lot of territories.
But if you like blackberry pie or jam, then having this plant around will serve a second purpose.
Not only will this plant keep thieves away, but it will also give you some great fruit to eat.
Besides the thick branches, the thorns should keep a lot of people away from your home.
Just don’t get the thorn-less version of this plant.
#6. Bougainvillea
A very beautiful plant whose flowers can come in different colors.
It likes the heat and sun so it is best to not try to grow this up north.
Its strength for defense is twofold.
One, it grows thick and can form a wall so that no one can get through.
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Two, it can climb the wall of your house and protect your upper-story windows.
At the same time, it shows off its beauty for the neighborhood to enjoy.
#7. Chinese Jujube
This tree or a group of these trees can replace a fence for you.
They can grow between 10 and 40 feet high but they can also be cut into a hedge.
That hedge would form a nice wall to keep intruders away from your property.
That is the good part of this tree.
The younger trees come with a nice set of thorns to dissuade anyone from trying to cut a hole in them to get through.
To maintain those spikes, keep the trees trimmed hedge size to encourage new growth.
#8. Cholla Cactus
Another good desert defensive plant.
This spindly cactus has plenty of thorn-filled arms that will catch you when you are not looking.
The bards detached fairly easily so even brushing against this plant can cause someone problems.
Unfortunately, these plants need to grow in regions where there is not a lot of rainfall.
But a couple of these near a ground-floor window would discourage anyone from paying you a late night visit when you are not at home.
They can grow between 3 and 5 feet high.
#9. Common Holly
One of those Christmas plants that do not give many gifts to strangers.
The bright red berries growing against the dark green background is a very pretty sight.
It is the thorny leaves that will surprise you when you get too close.
It is a very tolerant plant that can be grown just about anywhere.
Plus it comes with about 200 variations so make sure you are getting the version that has the sharp leaves.
Those sharp leaves will remind thieves that they are there, waiting to cut them.
#10. Crown of Thorns
This is the thorn tree that may have been used to place the crown of thorns on Christ.
One look at the tree will let you know why it was used.
This plant will grow to about 6 feet high and has a couple of other surprises to it.
Not only do you get a branch full of thorns, but the sap is also poisonous.
Plus, brushing against it can cause skin irritation.
It does come with some pretty flowers that may distract people from the thorns.
Honorable mention
Hawthorn – a plant that loves temperate weather.
It grows around the world in certain cooler regions and decorates the landscape with ease and pretty colors.
It is a nice growing plant as it reaches 25 feet high.
But what will discourage second-story men will be the 3-inch thorns on its branches.
Plant in well draining soil to keep the plant nice and healthy.
Also, the red berries are great to eat and can make some very tart jams and preserves.
Defensive plants do not need to be without healthy fruit.
Some Final Words
Protecting your home does not mean your yard and house look bland and boring.
There are a lot of pretty plants for home security that you can grow that come with some natural surprises.
Those thorns are very good at keeping burglars away while at the same time making sure your family gets some healthy fruit to eat or some very delicious pies.
It’s a win-win situation for you and your family as you can feel more secure when you grow the right plants.
Keep in mind, this is just the beginning of all the defensive plants you can use.
If you know of any other plants for home security, let us know.
Originally posted 2022-11-22 15:07:42.
