The thorniest collection
Succulents are a group of plants that generally hold water in them. According to Merriam Webster, a succulent is defined as “full of juice” or “juicy.” They’re often associated with plants that have thick flesh, and often engorged to retain water in dry climates and soil conditions. We generally think of the cactus family, but there are hundreds of shapes and colors in this arsenal.
Some of the best choices for defensive landscape include:
- Agave
- Aloe
- Bromeliad
- Cacti
- Echeveria
- Yucca
Agave or century plant (Agave americana) is just one variety of a large group of specimen, all of which are visually striking. There are over 80 varieties of the agave, each with their own wicked attributes. They typically grow in a rosette, and many have spiny thorns on the long, tapering leaves, with an extremely sharp pointed tip at the end. The agave grows 3 to 6 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide, and is easy to multiply from pups that shoot off the base.
Aloe vera (Aloe marlothii), known for it’s many health benefits, is not only easy to grow, it multiplies on its own. The aloe has long, pointed green leaves with sharp edges and it’s armed with pointed thorns along the tapered margins. The plant grows about 2 feet tall outdoors, and also does well as a houseplant.