Flammable Plants to Skip Planting in Your Garden

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Flammable Plants to Skip Planting in Your Garden

If you live in a region or state like California that is prone to wildfires, you need to take certain steps to protect your property. Many gardeners end up planting certain species that they don’t know are extremely flammable, and as a result, their gardens are more prone to catching ablaze. Living in a dry climate can be great if you like spending time at the pool or grilling outside, but the threat of wildfire should always be on your mind as well. All it takes is a few days of drought and strong winds to create a blazing wildfire that can destroy people’s homes. There are even plants you can choose that are fire-resistant, which might even save your home from burning down one day!

On the other hand, there are quite a few types of plants out there that you commonly find in gardens that are very flammable. Obviously, it’s not the best idea to fill up your garden with these types of plants if you live in an area prone to wildfires like Southern California. These plants are flammable because of their high resin content or low moisture levels in their leaves and branches. The bottom line is that you should avoid planting these flammable plants in your garden if you live in a region prone to wildfires. Keep reading on below to learn about some of the flammable garden plants you should avoid.

1. Bamboo

Bamboo is a unique looking garden plant that can provide homeowners with feelings of relaxation and peacefulness. It also makes for a great privacy screen in your lawn thanks to how high and thick it grows in. Even though it creates a tropical look for your landscaping, you should also know that it is extremely flammable and should be avoided if you live in an area that is known for wildfires. They are plants that are dry, tall, and grow in clumps, which means they can easily catch on fire and help a wildfire spread.

2. Acacia

This is a type of tree that typically grows in warm climates. It can grow as a tree or a shrub and can provide striking looks for your landscaping. However, keep in mind that Acacias have leaves with high levels of resin and oils. This resin and oil is very flammable and will easily catch on fire. It’s better to avoid planting Acacias if you are concerned about wildfires in your area.

3. Cypress

Cypress trees and shrubs are common in gardens all over thanks to the fact that they grow in thick. They are evergreen trees that are used for creating hedges, screens, and windbreaks. Some of the most common types of Cypress include the Arizona Cypress, Tecate Cypress, and Italian Cypress. They certainly serve their purpose well in gardens and can help you create some added privacy for your property. However, keep in mind that they are very strongly scented and can easily catch ablaze during wildfires.

4. Eucalyptus

This is a beautiful plant that is also known as red river gum. They are a bad choice for gardens in regions that are prone to wildfires because of their high combustible oil content. This combustible oil is found throughout the Eucalyptus leaves and can easily catch ablaze during a wildfire. The leaves of this tree contain phenolics, which can be used for dry combustible fuel and preventing fungi from growing. The truth is that these plants are best left out of gardens and landscapes that are in regions prone to wildfires.

5. Junipers

The Juniper is a conifer that is known for being easy to care for and tolerant to drought. It can pretty much grow in any type of soil if the area has proper drainage. Gardeners are tempted to use the Juniper in their gardens because they are low maintenance and don’t require a lot of pruning. The important thing to note here about Junipers is that they contain resins which are very flammable. They are also prone to accumulating a lot of dead leaves which can easily catch on fire and be prone to igniting.

6. Palms

Palms are a pretty common plant found in gardens throughout California, but it’s important to understand the risk they present in areas that commonly experience wildfires. They are dangerous during wildfires because their dried palm fronds can fall off and easily get carried by the wind. That means if they are on fire they will spread the fire. It’s also easy for an entire palm tree to be set ablaze with embers that get embedded in the Palm’s trunk, leaf bases, or fibrous tissue. This can result in a fire that spread extremely quickly to other plant life that is close by.

How To Know if a Plant is Flammable

Even though we’ve touched on a few of the most common plants that are flammable, it’s still important to understand some of the characteristics of flammable plants. There are quite a few more species of plants that are flammable and should be avoided in areas that are known to experience wildfires. Some of the most common characteristics of flammable plants are that they have high oil or resin contents, dry leaves, lots of dead twigs and leaves, dense foliage, and needle-like leaves. If you are thinking of adding a plant to your garden and want to be sure it isn’t flammable, try to remember these qualities.

We hope this article has provided you with some truly valuable information about avoiding flammable plants. Remember that if you live in a region that is prone to wildfires, you should be consciences of the types of plants you select for your garden. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Choosing a non-flammable plant for your garden might just end up saving your house. This article is brought to you by Cal Blend Soils. If you are looking for the best landscaping supplies on the market at the best possible prices, look no further than Cal Blend Soils.