10 Best Spiky Plants To Decorate Outside Your House

Published on: 26 April 2022 Last Updated on: 17 February 2025
spiky plants

“Flowers are for Tinder dates. Plants are for soul mates.”

Growing up, I watched with awe how my mother would convert any space, indoor or outdoor, with some love and a whole lot of plants. While some plants are your usual Begonias and Fuchsias, what attracted me the most was the collection of spiky plants my mom was obsessed with!

So it was only natural when I moved to my own place, my ideas on the decor were heavily inspired by my mother’s natural tastes. I couldn’t help filling spaces in my home with plants, and I soon realized I had developed a specific taste for plants that are spiky. But, of course, I refuse to believe that I am alone with my tastes. There have to be more people like me, and this article is for your guys!

Keep reading to find out more on the same.

Click Here Read Out: 10 Best Aesthetic Plants To Buy In 2022

10 Best Spiky Plants To Decorate Outside Your House:

“Don’t let the fear of limited space keep your from buying plants.”

Exactly! If you are wondering about the limitation of space, don’t! Because I am here to help you out with alternatives to outdoor spiky plants – if there’s no space inside, hopefully, you will make some outside for these babies. Scroll down to find out the top ten spiky plants for decorating the outside of your house.

1. Agave

Agave

A native American plant, the Agave thrives the best in arid and hot conditions. The best part? This dark green plant can tolerate droughts and also happens to love the sunlight – perfect for keeping outside your home, and it doesn’t even require a lot of care. Another great thing about this plant is that it lives for nearly three decades.

Since there are several species of the Agave plant, it is a little difficult to tell you the approximate growth level of these spiky babies. However, on average, these plants grow somewhere between six to ten feet. But smaller variations might grow up to only four feet.

2. Golden Barrel Cactus

Golden Barrel Cactus

Scientifically known as the Echinocactus Grusoni, the Golden Barrel Cactus is a cute addition to any home garden. These cuties are plants with spiky leaves and can grow up to 3 feet on both sides (length and width). Also, the woollen hair in white colour on top of the yellow needle-like spikes only adds to the visual effect of the plant.

Although these Golden Barrel Cactus need plenty of watering, sunlight exposure, for some strange reason, is hardly a requirement. In fact, while planting these spiky plants, you will find out they are avoiding the sun by themselves. So it is wiser to plant these in a space place in your garden.

3. Holly Plant

Holly Plant

Popular as a Christmas symbol for many years, the Holly plant is a classic hedging plant that often provides both shelter and food to the wildlife. Even birds like Robins or Blackbirds feed on the red berries of this spiky plant. And if that was not enough, this plant also happens to be a great source of nectars and pollen for attracting bees.

The holly plant is a pretty cool feature for your garden because it brings in so many aspects. Moreover, the spiky leaves act as a deterrent for intruders. Also, since these plants grow slowly, they can easily go up to 30 or even 40 feet in some cases. Holly plants thrive best in well-drained soil that’s slightly acidic but not dry under the sun.

4. California Fuchsia

California Fuchsia

Are you up for some blooming, red addition to your outdoor garden? Then California Fuchsia is probably the best alternative for you especially if you are looking for some low-maintenance plants! The plant radiates the whole summertime floral vibes that can improve anyone’s mood exponentially. And if you are living in some dry area, then this one is surely meant for your garden.

The best part? California Fuchsia is primarily known for its flowers which keep growing through Spring, Summer, and straight into Fall. A colourful garden for most parts of the year – isn’t that what gardening dreams are made of? Just one thing – you need to be careful of the vertical spikes in the flowers.

Read More: 10 Best Foliage Plants To Buy In 2022 – Must Read!

5. Crown of Thorns

Crown of Thorns

Don’t go on its name because Crown of Thorns is one of the most appealing spiky plants out there. The best part about these plants? The Crown of Thorns can easily tolerate droughts and resist heat, making gardening these babies very convenient. In fact, try to avoid overwatering at all costs!

Popularly known as the Euphorbia Milii, the Crown of Thorns happens to be the Christ Thorn since it is one such succulent with actual spiky leaves, which are thick, fleshy, and shaped like tears. Native to Madagascar, these spiky plants can grow nearly five to six feet tall.

6. Bougainvillea Plant

Bougainvillea Plant

You already know how beautiful a Bougainvillea plant can be and especially as outdoor decor. But did you know that these are great for security reasons too? Someone once told me how all beautiful things have thorns, and these beautiful Bougainvilleas are no different.

The dense, thorny branches of the Bougainvillea plant can keep intruders at bay while adding color to the outdoor decor of your home. Moreover, these tall spiky plants can easily resist droughts and, in fact, thrive well under sunlight.

7. Devil’s Walking Stick

Devil’s Walking Stick

Scientifically known as the Aralia Spinosails, the Devil’s Walking Stick is literally named after its characteristic sharp, stout spikes prevalent on its leafy, green stems, branches, and stalks. Native to the forest areas of America, the Devil’s Walking Stick is popular for the clusters of umbrella-like white flowers.

This is literally a Devil’s Walking Stick that can grow up to 30 feet on average – the long stems, the orange prickles, the spiny leaves, and the white flowers are all characteristics of these spiky plants. Not only can these tolerate several urban pollutants, but they also can thrive well in a wide variety of soils.

8. Honey Locust

Honey Locust

Did you know that these spiky plants that go by the name of Honey Locust can grow somewhere between 60 to 100 feet, on average? Aren’t these perfect for stabbing some intruder and boosting the security around your home? In fact, the black or dark grey barks can easily camouflage the thorn once the sun goes down. – perfect foliage plants for your home!

The best part? The Honey Locust is a plant that can easily adapt to any situation and thrive well under urban conditions. These can resist droughts and grows well in soil that is well-drained as well as moist!

You May Love To Read This: 10 Best Trailing Indoor Plants To Buy In 2022

9. Honey Mesquite Plant

Honey Mesquite Plant

Scientifically known as the Prosopis Glandulosa, the Honey Mesquite Plant is native to deserts located in Northern Mexico. Not only can these plants resist droughts, but they can easily survive under conditions that are dry and hot.

The best part? Those beautiful yellow flowers and the twisted trunks only add to the aesthetic pop outside your home. The plant is characterised by rough barks and long thorns, both of which help in making these plants the perfect defence hedge for your home.

10. Porcupine Tomato

Porcupine Tomato

Native to Madagascar, the Porcupine Tomato has a refreshing vibe, especially when it blooms in Summer with that beautiful purple tint. The leaves might fool you with beauty since it’s more like a cover-up for the upright thorns the plants are best known for.

The Porcupine Tomato is one of those spiky plants that thrive the best in well-drained soil and sun exposure. You can always plant it inside a container and strategically position the plant in different areas of your garden, creating a sort of surprise for any unwanted visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1. Why Are Desert Plants Spiky?

The spines and hair on a dessert plant prevent moisture loss by stopping the wind-effects. These can also help by casting little shadows on other plants. Moreover, the shininess of these spiky parts also helps in reflecting away the sun’s rays. 

Q2. What Is The Name Of The Spiky Plant?

A popular spiky plant that has been used for decor as a houseplant for several years is the Dracaena plant. Popularly referred to as the Spike Plant, the Dracaena plant is now competing with other varieties of spiky plants. 

Q3. What Are Lucky Plants?

The best lucky plant that you can opt for is the Feng Shui plant. This plant is popular because it is considered lucky in terms of love, fortune, luck and prosperity. The other alternatives to lucky plants are Orchids, Bamboo, Rubber plants, and the like.

Wrapping Up:

“Home is where the plants are”

Now that you have a fair idea of some cool spiky plants names perfect for decorating the outside of your house, what are you waiting for? It’s time to bring in some new, spiky members home. Get yourself a beautifully thorny cactus or some much-needed Bougainvillea for the safety of your property – or opt for any other spiky plant!

Don’t forget to let us know in the comments below your thoughts on the same.

Read More:

  1. 10 Best Tall House Plants To Buy In 2022
  2. Grow these flowering plants in your home garden
  3. 5 good luck plants that deserves a place in your home

Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Soil

Does Organic Gardening Improve Soil Quality?

The soil is a fundamental resource base for agricultural production systems. Besides being the main medium for crop growth, soil functions to sustain crop productivity and maintain environmental quality. Soil quality is determined by the soil's ability to perform these functions. Organic gardening means avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides without necessarily implying that plants are left to fend for themselves. Therefore, it is Merely creating the best possible environment for plant growth using biological processes that create a supply of nutrients to the plants and maintain the structural and biological integrity of the soil. Organic farming provides sites for nutrient retention by adding compost, animal and green manures in soil. In the process, soil nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium among others are added to the soil. Leading gardening professionals such as Tree Service Deltona point out that organic farming can help promote sustainability and improve crop productivity. It can also allow helping create an ecosystem that is not dependent on artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals that ultimately end up getting into the composition of the vehicles. Several natural soil enhancers used in organic gardening include: Humus: This basically refers to completely decomposed, stable organic matter. Organic materials are decomposed over a long period of time. Humus has important functions in soil, particularly in enhancing soil structure and water-holding capacity Growing of cover crops: A wide range of cover crops can be grown to enhance soil building properties. Mixtures of cover crops may be the best way to maximize soil building properties. When allowed to decompose, these cover crops have a large amount of biomass that when released into the soil have benefits. Examples of cover crops include leguminous grasses Compost: Compost is one of the most stable forms of crop nutrients and is an effective means of building soil organic matter, it is also rich in carbon particularly when produced with carbon-rich materials. Application of compost or manure is an effective means of building up soil organic matter, feeding a wide range of beneficial micro-organisms that aerate the soil and maintain soil PH levels. A PH of 7 is neutral while values below 7 show increasing acidity and those above 7 show increasing alkalinity. When natural manures are used, the amount of soil PH is naturally maintained since artificial fertilizers add certain elements to the soil such as zinc and copper which when their levels are high become very toxic to the soil. Through organic farming, soil organic matter is increased thus making the soil to be healthy and its quality also increased. The Use of natural manures aids in moisture retention within the soil, thus ensuring that the crops being grown in the farming process don't lose water to several biological processes such as evaporation. This is because the amount of water being retained by the soil is more than the lost amount by several factors. This is especially vital in sandy soils, which have low water retention capabilities due to their well-drained nature. Building soil quality by the use of organic methods helps increase the soil's resilience. This is the ability to overcome stress or to bounce back after being disturbed. Crops grown in resilient soils have a better ability to withstand extreme conditions such as drought, flood, extremely high temperatures or pest infection. Using a case study of a carrot sprout, which is mainly grown in home gardens and known for their sweet taste, we will notice that they are hard to grow and they thrive in areas of minimal artificial fertilizers and thus would do best in organic gardens that use natural means of soil improvement. They would also be best in chilly aquatic conditions considering the amount of moisture needed during their growth to full maturity. You may have asked yourself this question - what do carrot sprouts look like. Well, carrot sprouts look like grass and can easily be mistaken for weeds in a garden. Carrots are best grown in sandy soils since the sandy soil is well-drained in contrast to the high amounts of moisture needed to grow the carrots. The use of organic methods of enhancing the soil moisture retention will ensure that the conditions are similar to that of the best aquatic chiller thus favoring the growth of the carrots even in well-drained soils. The growth of carrots is a good indication of how organic gardening is beneficial to the improvement of soil quality and also in ensuring that the conditions for the growth of several crops are successful, unlike when artificial enhancers such as fertilizers are used. Advantages of organic gardening Stabilizes the soil with time by repairing the soil composition and restoring the soil structure so as to ensure its properties are retained Improve with time by using adequate and adaptive techniques to restore key soil functions Increase productivity since a number of nutrients provided by the soil is adequate for crop growth Provides healthy food supply since the crop produced is by natural means and artificial enhancers are not in the components of the crop which is being grown. Organic gardening, therefore, does improve the quality of the soil. Read also: 5 Essential Tips To Designing A Beautiful Front Yard Garde 3 Amazing Flower Street Garden – How To Design

READ MOREDetails
window panel color

Tips for Selecting a Window Frame Color

When you are renovating your home or building a new one, it’s easy to visualize the big details, like the color of the roof and the walls. Something you may not necessarily be thinking of immediately is the color of your window frames, and yet this is such an important color to consider. It may help to think of them as something similar to the frame on a painting — it adds a finishing touch to the artwork, or in this case, the house. If you are not sure how to choose a color, here are some tips that may help you in your choice. Choose a color palette: It helps to include the color of your window frames in the complete color palette you choose for your home. If the amount of color choices is overwhelming, keep it simple by choosing either a warm or a cool palette. Pick a color that highlights or hides: If you are repainting your home, you can highlight your beautiful window frames by painting them a color that makes them stand out. Conversely, if they are ugly as sin, paint them a boring white, or any color that makes them blend in with the walls. Select a color that complements your home’s exterior: Your walls should have a big say in what color you paint your window frames. If you have exposed brick walls, you should choose a bright contrasting color, and avoid warm browns and dark colors. For painted wood siding, it could work well to pick a darker accent color that complements the rest of the color palette of your home. Read More : Essential Things To Consider Before Hiring A Window Tinting Expert Consider neutral colors: Neutral colors are trendy again. The current variety is a far cry from boring beige, so you don’t have to fear to have a sterile hospital look. The new generation of beiges and grays are soulful and colorful, and they will prove to be timeless at the same time. No need to be embarrassed about bright lime or electric pink, or any such garish eyesores in a few years from now. Choose a color that fits the style of your home: It is very important to choose a color that is appropriate to the style of your house. Certain colors go well with certain types of architecture. A red brick building already imposes a limit on the color palette due to the characteristic hue of the walls. A historic manor would benefit from modest colors that fit in with the time period in which the house was built. If the architecture is more modern, choose colors that enhance that particular style. But if it’s just your typical family home without any noteworthy architectural provenance, you are free to choose colors that match your personality and sense of style. It should be something that you like, and feel comfortable looking at every day. Read More : Before You Forget : Things You Need To Consider Before Windows Replacement Use bold colors wisely: For most people who doubt their stylishness, it would be best to stick to neutral colors. But if you are brave and daring, and you are sure you can pull it off, bold colors can add an unexpected twist to your decor. Apex Window Werks is home and Commercial Window Repair Company with the headquarters in Chicago, IL. If you are looking for a reliable and experienced contractor to get the fog out of your windows, replace broken glass or repair rotten wood window frames, then AWW is your expedient choice. Feel free to give them a call to leave a message.

READ MOREDetails
Mattress

Five Easy Steps When Cleaning Your Mattress

It is highly important to clean your mattress on a regular basis. This is because mattresses could become a breeding ground for dust mites, stains, and bad odor. None of which we would want in our homes. Since we spend about a third of our lives sleeping, it’s only proper that the mattress we’re sleeping on is clean. But mattress cleaning may prove to be an intimidating task, especially if you do not know what to do. Do you wash it or dry it out? What cleaning agents will you use? Are you using the right cleaning techniques? The questions are endless – and overwhelming, too. After all, no one would want to damage an expensive mattress. To help you out, we have compiled a few tips to make the mattress cleaning experience a lot less daunting. Read on and find out. Suck Up the Dirt : Vacuuming your mattress is perhaps one of the easiest ways available to clean it. It may also be one of the most convenient ways. First remove your pillow top, sheets, pillows, and blankets. After doing so, you may then proceed to vacuum your mattress. This will: Remove any crumbs that may have accumulated from late-night snacking sessions or from movie marathons. Take off any pet hair that may have stuck to the mattress after letting your pet sleep in the same bed as you. Remove any dust that has formed since the last time you took the time to clean your mattress. Nearly every house would have a vacuum cleaner for general cleaning purposes. If yours does not, then consider getting one, as it is quite a good investment. It makes cleaning not only the rooms of your house a breeze, but it is a big help in cleaning your mattress as well, keeping it as comfortable as possible. Easy Spot Cleaning : The next thing you can do to clean your mattress is to spot clean it. The type of stains present on a mattress will vary from person to person. Likewise, the best ways to clean these stains vary as well. Here is a quick list of what you should use when you get an unsightly stain on your mattress: Water: Water is a safe bet. It is cheap and safe to use on absolutely everything. It is good as an immediate treatment to prevent stains from setting. It also lessens the effect of dyes but is not 100% effective. Detergents: These can be used for most situations, especially for grease stains. Commonly, people have detergents for laundry and dishwashing at their disposal. You must be careful with the latter, as it could damage the fabric on the mattress. Salt: This one can be found in almost every household. It is effective in removing sweat or deodorant stains. It is also good in lessening red wine and bloodstains. Vinegar or Lemon Juice: These two are amazing tools for removing coffee and tea stains. People have also found them effective against grass stains as well as tape and glue residue. Bleach: Bleach is effective in removing dyes. This means that it is a good bet for make-up and grass stains. This should be used in moderation, as it can damage more delicate mattresses. People also rely on a combination of hydrogen peroxide, liquid detergent, and baking soda. Simply spray the mixture on a stain and spot clean away. Another easy combination is that of lemon juice and salt. Spread this on a stain and leave it on for at least half an hour. Afterward, just wipe it off. Remove Foul Odors : The third step we suggest for the mattress-cleaning process is deodorizing. There are multiple, easy ways for you to do this. Air Dry: Perhaps the easiest and most convenient way to do when you want to deodorize. Simply leave it in the heat of the sun for a couple of hours. This will remove any foul odors and naturally kill bacteria as well. Baking Soda: Simply sprinkle this stuff on your mattress and leave it be for a couple of hours. It is a natural deodorizer that also kills germs. After it has done its job, just vacuum off the excess on the mattress. Lavender: A bit of an extra step, but has proven to be worth it. It does not only remove unwanted odors from your mattress, it also adds a relaxing scent that will help you get a better night’s sleep every night. While each one of these suggestions is effective in their own right, doing all three would help you achieve better sleep. It may take some more effort on your part, but it will all be worth it. Clean Your Sheets :  Washing your sheets is another important step in this process. It’s not enough that your mattress is clean; your sheets should be, too. It is always a good idea to clean your sheets regularly as this would prevent stains from seeping through to the mattress. This will also remove unsightly stains and foul odors. Together with a clean mattress, this will help you wake up more relaxed and energized. When doing this, it is important to remember the following : The washing machine is your best friend when it comes to washing bulky sheets. A dryer would also help deodorize and kill bacteria with its heat. Read care labels so that you do not cause damage to your sheets especially on sensitive fabrics. Some detergents are very strong and may actually do more harm than good. Some may even make the stain spread instead of removing it. It would not hurt to use a scented detergent to wash sheets. Just know how much and which brand to use. As mentioned before, lavender is a good scent for some more peaceful sleep. It is recommended that sheets be washed at least once a week. If this is not possible, then at least make sure to change them. Protect Your Mattress : Lastly, we would recommend you to protect your mattress. A lot of manufacturers offer mattress covers nowadays. They help prevent future stains from getting on the mattress itself. Not only that, some of them even make the bed more comfortable. As an added bonus, they can easily be thrown in the washing machine with the sheets. And On That Note… While this task may seem like it is too much, it really is not. This also has a lot more benefits than just removing stains. If you haven’t tried doing it and you’re scared of trying, ask someone who can help you out. Additionally, a wealth of information is available on the internet. Sometimes, the answers to your questions are a mere mouse click away. Cleaning your mattress on a regular basis is important. This would help keep germs at bay and remove foul odors. This will also increase your mattress’s longevity. Your mattress will keep you comfortable for as long as possible. All of this would lead to you getting a better night’s sleep in the long run. Take the first step today and you will thank yourself later. You invested quite well on that mattress; make that investment well worth it. Take good care of your mattress and it will take good care of you. Read More : Natural ways to get rid of flea in your lawn. Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less.

READ MOREDetails