When thinking about home security, outdoor plants might not immediately spring to mind. However, they can play a surprisingly effective role. For instance, thorny bushes and shrubs can deter potential intruders when placed near windows or entrance points.
If you decide to add plants to the exterior of your property to add an additional layer of security, you will want to ensure that they are just as attractive as they are good deterrents. So, here are 14 of the most attractive plants for home security that you should consider.
First Things First
Before we look at some of the best contenders for attractive plants that are good for home security, it is worth mentioning that you should choose plants that suit the exterior design scheme of your home.
Seeing as there are lots of protective plants available, it will be easy to find ones that offer excellent security and aesthetically fit in.
You should also consider adding additional security measures to your home, such as motion sensor lighting and cameras. You could invest in a garage door opener to ensure intruders cannot access your garage, too.
1. Prickly Pear Cactus
The prickly pear is seriously spiky, with clusters of tiny needles called glochids that easily detach from the plant upon contact.
These needles can cause irritating reactions if they penetrate the skin, so potential burglars would have an uncomfortable experience attempting to bypass this plant.
Furthermore, the prickly pear cactus boasts vibrant yellow flowers and lush green pads, which can provide an eye-catching touch of desert charm to your property’s exterior.
2. Firethorn
Firethorn packs a punch when it comes to home security. This plant produces rough branches covered with stiff thorns, which makes it extremely unpleasant for potential intruders. Therefore, consider placing firethorn plants around windows and other potential entry points.
This plant boasts a showy display of vibrant orange-red berries amid lustrous green foliage, so it can create a radiant natural spectacle in addition to acting as a protective perimeter.
3. Barberry
Barberry is a wonderfully versatile shrub that can add character and color to your garden or drive while simultaneously enhancing your property’s security.
The plant features long, sharp spines, so its branches are excellent deterrents for any would-be intruders.
4. Pampas Grass
Pampas grass possesses sharp-edged leaves that act like tiny blades. They may look delicate and inviting from afar, but intruders to your property risk severe skin irritation or injury if they attempt to navigate through these towering tussocks.
This plant features tall, feathery plumes atop slender stalks, so it can add both height and a touch of whimsical elegance to your home’s exterior.
5. Yucca
Yucca plants have tropical aesthetics, but their pointy leaves make them hard to handle without caution. Strategically placed around various access points in your garden, they can form a painful deterrent to intruders.
6. Holly Bush
Holly bushes with their spiky leaves are not only perfect for Christmas decorations but also excellent for home security. Placed beneath windows or along fences, their prickly nature makes it uncomfortable and undesirable for anyone trying to sneak in.
7. Agave Americana
Also known as the century plant, Agave Americana is impressively statuesque with massive rosettes of thick, rigid leaves and silver-blue tips.
Furthermore, the plant has razor-sharp points on the ends of its leaves that can deter any uninvited guests who might consider trespassing.
8. Bamboo
If you are looking for a fast-growing plant that provides privacy in addition to security, bamboo could be your answer. Though not spikey or prickly, its dense growth proves difficult to penetrate without making a lot of noise. So, it can alert homeowners to unwanted visitors.
9. Rose Bushes
Rose bushes offer more than their beautiful appearance and inviting scent. This plant is an incredibly effective deterrent thanks to its thorny stems, making it a good plant for home security.
Positioned near windows or other vulnerable points around your home, rose bushes add not only beauty but also a barrier that can deter potential intruders.
10. Blackberry Bushes
The common blackberry bush may seem innocent at first glance but its thorny brambles can pose quite a challenge to anyone trying to break in.
It is not just a great deterrent against burglars. Planting blackberry bushes also comes with the bonus of yielding tasty fruits.
11. Boxwood Shrubs
Boxwood shrubs are compact in size yet rich in dense branches and leaves. So, these evergreen shrubs offer an excellent barrier against intrusion when planted close together along boundaries.
While they lack thorns or prickly surfaces, the compactness of these plants can block access points effectively. Their elegant appearance also enhances curb appeal.
12. Oregon Grape
Oregon Grape provides excellent security benefits. This evergreen shrub boasts prickly, holly-like leaves and tiny thorns along its stems.
This makes it an excellent natural barrier against intruders. Additionally, its vibrant yellow flowers and purplish-blue fruits will add a lovely touch of color to your property.
13. Osage Orange
For those with extensive boundaries around their properties, Osage Orange is an ideal home security plant. An extremely dense tree, it carries sharp thorns that can provide quite an unpleasant surprise for any unwary trespasser.
Moreover, besides acting as a security guard for your property, this plant adds shade and privacy due to its size and broad-spreading branches.
14. Poison Ivy
Lastly, do not overlook the psychological effects of particular plants. For example, planting poison ivy creates a visual deterrent that is hard to ignore.
On top of making your home more aesthetically pleasing, poison ivy can act as an additional line of defense for your home security by giving would-be intruders a nasty rash.
Final Thoughts
Remember, while plants provide an effective and natural way of making access to your home secure, you should use them in conjunction with other safety measures, such as locks, alarms, cameras, and lighting. Nevertheless, the above plants do offer an effective extra deterrent layer. They will also brighten up your home’s exterior and improve its curb appeal.
