The plant world has impressive variety when it comes to appearance and modifications made to survive in their respective environments, and that includes those that feature spikes and thorns. For example, a thorn is just a modified stem, and a spine is a modified leaf designed to keep herbivorous predators from feeding on the plant. Spiky plants have uses beyond just looking intriguing: spiky outdoor plants like certain bushes or shrubs are a good way to add some extra protection against potential intruders. Whether they interest you or you are looking for some greenery for home defense, there’s a spiky plant perfect to add to your environment.
Which Plants Are Called Spiky?
Any plant featuring sharp leaf tips, thorns, needles, or spikes can be described as “spiky” by someone, and generally, most people can picture what is being referred to. Cacti and succulents may come to mind first, though there are a variety of different plants that can be considered “spiky plants” like some pine trees, fruiting shrubs like blackberries, and ornamental shrubs such as bougainvilleas.
Full List of Spiky Plants
There are sure to be spiky plants to scratch anyone’s itch (not literally!), whether you’re looking for something tropical, something large, or something you can keep in a pot on your counter at home. Here are some plants suitable for every need you can imagine, both for indoor and outdoor use:
Outdoor
Landscaping using outdoor spiky plants is a good idea if you want some extra protection from intruders by ground floor windows or if you’re interested in using some spiky green plants as a privacy hedge:
Tropical
Giant Rhubarb (Gunnera manicata): This is a large plant, both in ultimate size and leaf size, with it getting up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) in height, 12 feet in width (3.6 meters), and a single leaf can be up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide! It can cause irritation due to the prickles and sap, so be sure not to handle this plant if possible or wear protective clothing and gear if you need to cut it back.
Yucca (Yucca filamentosa): The leaves on these plants are similar to swords, with a sharp point at the end and margins that are quite sharpened. They get to be about 3 feet tall (90 cm), so many can be planted near each other to form a short (but tall enough) border.
New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax): It’s a striking perennial plant native to New Zealand, known for its long, sword-like leaves that come in various colors, from green to bronze, and are used in traditional Maori weaving and contemporary garden landscapes.
Porcupine tomato (Solanum pyracanthum): Though it is called a tomato plant, do not ingest any part of this tropical tomato relative. Its long, brightly colored thorns are easy enough to avoid and can stay relatively small at about 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) in height.
Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba): A lovely-looking ornamental tree with a surprising punch, the thorns on the young stems can cause skin wounds and even rip your clothes. This risk decreases as it reaches its mature size of up to 40 feet (12 meters).
Trees
Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa): As far as spiky plants names go, this threatening tree takes the cake. It has large spikes all around the trunk and can grow up to 20 feet (6 m) tall if left unchecked and unpruned. Pruning will encourage a wider, more bushy growth habit.
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos): If you’re looking for a quick-growing, dangerous tree to add to your home, the honey locust is the way to go. You can train this plant to grow shrubby or encourage it to grow from a single trunk; this is a tall order: expect this tree to be around 90 feet (27 m) tall at maturity.
Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa): Quince is a lovely fruit that you can enjoy while also knowing this shrub can fend off predators or invaders. With thorns adorning the stems and a mature height of about 6 feet (1.8 m), this is a manageable fruiting tree that can be added to your garden.
Mesquite (Proposis spp.): A vicious-looking (and feeling) tree, mesquite can grow up to 30 feet (9 m) tall and can be planted as an effective border plant to keep out unwanted visitors, whether it is people or animals.
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa): Another attractive fruiting tree with a bite, the blackthorn shrub can grow to be around 10 feet (3 m) at its max and can be trained to grow as a dense shrub that can protect your house’s borders.
With Flowers
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.): If you’re looking for spiky plants with flowers, look no further! There are up to 22 different species in this genus that can meet your requirements of a flowering but spiky plant. Pretty and dangerous!
California Fuschia (Ribes speciosum): Don’t let the gorgeous, pendulous flowers distract you from the prickly stems that protect them! These plants can get upwards of 9 feet (2.7 m) tall, which is a reasonable height for any plant in your garden. They are also evergreen, so you’ll be guaranteed some pops of color throughout all seasons.
Holly (Ilex aquifolia): These are shrubby plants that can be upwards of 30 feet (9 m) tall and feature thorn-like leaf margins. The red fruits and glossy, evergreen leaves make it an attractive addition to your yard.
Hardy Orange (Poncirus trifoliata): This plant can grow as a small tree or shrub, depending on how you prune it. It also produces long thorns, around 2 inches (5 cm) in length, along the branches, which is enough to deter even the most determined intruder.
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.): Beauty and danger meet to make the hawthorn shrub, which produces lovely flowers and thorns along its branches. Prepare for a tree that’s about 25 feet (7.6 m) tall and 18 feet (5.5 m) wide.
Others
Blue Grass (Festuca glauca): This is a blue-green clumping grass-like plant with pointy tips on the blades. They are medium-sized plants that you can plant multiples of to create a border within your garden.
Agave (Agave spp.): Agaves can get to be very large, so be sure you have enough room in your garden to accommodate its mature size. Each leaf features a spike at the end of it, and some with spikes down the leaves, so avoid planting these in front of any potential escape routes in your home, as you might not be able to safely navigate around it should you find the need.
Barberry (Berberis spp.): This is a unique-looking plant with bright red foliage and delicate but dangerous thorns protruding from its branches. It can grow as short as 3 feet (90 cm) and as tall as 10 feet (3 m), so you have options on how you’d like this plant to look.
Prickly Pear Cacti (Opuntia spp.): Prickly pears have spines all on their succulent paddles and can grow over 10 feet (3 m) tall and wide, so stay on top of pruning and giving away cuttings to keep it manageable.
Blue Sea Holly (Eryngium planum ‘Blue Sea Holly’): These are wonderful additions to a bouquet if you’re careful, as their blue color is striking. They form clumps and don’t tend to get too tall or overgrown.
Indoor
If you’re more interested in looks than function, there are tons of houseplant options that can satisfy that itch for some green spiky plants. However, if you have curious pets or small children, you might need to keep the spiky plants outdoors.
Flowering
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii): A sturdy, wide cactus with long, protruding spines can be seen to have a more gentle side when it flowers. These cacti can grow to be very large, so if you want to see their full potential and you live in an arid climate, consider adding some outdoors too!
Ladyfinger Cactus (Mammillaria elongata): These cacti are for looking and not touching, as they are completely coated in spines. When kept in optimum conditions (even in a pot), they can flower along the top of the plant, looking like a flower crown.
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii): This plant can be kept small indoors while still being able to enjoy the brightly colored flowers and contrasting spike-covered stems.
Aloe Vera (Aloe vera): A spiky plant that can be used to soothe sunburns, it can stay small if you keep it in a pot or grow large if you plant it outside. If you’re lucky, it might even flower!
Rattail Cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis): A flowering cactus, you might find it shoots out blooms quite regularly when well taken care of. It has a weeping growth habit and can grow as long as you let it before it needs to be pruned.
Non-Flowering
Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata): Snake plants feature long, sturdy yet slightly succulent leaves with a surprisingly sharp point to them. They can reach over 6 feet (1.8 m) tall when kept happy, though they thrive indoors and in pots.
Zebra Haworthia (Haworthia attenuata): Haworthias do have a sharp point to their leaves, though they’re a relatively tame “spiky” plant. They don’t get too large and are perfect for container growing.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata): This is a good option for a “statement” plant that can be kept indoors, with intimidatingly sharp leaves giving it its common “dragon” name. Expect this plant to get about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall when kept indoors.
Red Star Cordyline (Cordyline australis ‘Red Star’): Not only is this plant dramatic in color, but it’s dramatic in touch too: sharp tips of this plant might discourage one from getting too close. Like the dragon tree, it can get to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall when kept inside.
Spiral Aloe (Aloe polyphylla): This alluring aloe can maintain a small size when kept in a pot indoors, though if put outside, expect it to grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) in height and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide.
FAQ
What Common House Plant Has Spiky Leaves?
Different types of cacti, such as barrel cacti, are a good choice for those who want a low-maintenance houseplant. Aloe, small prickly pear cacti, and haworthia are all common houseplants that feature a pointy or thorny nature as a major part of their appearance.
What Is a Tall Flowering Plant with Spiky Leaves?
Some species of barberry shrubs can grow to be up to 10 feet (3 m) tall and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide. These plants can have brightly colored foliage in addition to small flowers to attract pollinators to your garden while detracting intruders.
What Is the Spiky Plant with Needles?
Cacti are spiky plants with spines or “needles”, though some pine trees have very spiky leaves that are usually referred to as “needles”.
What Is the Name of the Spiky Plant?
There are many plants that would fit under this umbrella, and not all of them are cacti. If you ever find yourself wondering, “what are those spiky plants called” you can determine what exactly your spiky plant is by using PlantIn’s app or website for quick, accurate identification!
What Is a Green Spiky Plant?
A green spikey plant can be aloe, agave, or other succulents like many types of cacti. Other “spikey” plants can be hollies, which have multiple sharp points on their green leaves.
