Last Updated on October 31, 2021 by Phil
Many plants can increase or speed up fire. Some can even ignite them. Thus, having these around your home, especially within 30 feet around can put your family and property at risk. So, if you want to avoid this danger, do consider fire resistant plants instead.
What are Fire Resistant Plants?
Fire resistant plants do not “add fuel to the fire” so to speak. As such, they do not readily ignite to cause fires nor do them fuel an already burning flame.
Those on the list below also have the ability to retard or slow down the fire. Of course, how much it is able to do that depends on their structure, characteristics and moisture levels.
That said, plants will get burned by fire. So, they’re not going to stop fires from getting into your home like a concrete wall may.
The important thing is that they don’t contribute to the fire’s intensity which puts you more in danger.
Fire Resistant Does Not Mean Fireproof
As mentioned above, while fire resistant plants can only slow down or retard fire to a certain degree. But, they are not fireproof.
So, once the flames burn through them, they’ll turn into ash just like any other object of living thing.
But, the important thing here is that they are not fire hazards or highly inflammable.
Highly flammable plants are the biggest threats to your home because they can start fires given the right conditions. So, if this happens to be when you’re out at work, you’ll be powerless to do anything about it.
Unfortunately, many people actually grow flammable plants near and around their homes. That’s because majority of us choose plants based on their looks not their flammability.
Best Fire Resistant Plants to Grow Around Your Home
Below, I’ll split up the different fire resistant plants into groups. Each group based on the type of plant.
This will let you combine different kinds of plants in your garden knowing that they’re all working to protect you and your family from potential fires.
Perennials
Daylilies
Daylilies are beautiful flowers with petals that open outward. They come in bright colors including orange, red, pink, yellow, white and purple.
This makes them a good choice around your home because they not only retard fire but are bring life to your garden as well.
Daylilies are hardy to USDA zones 4 to 9. They attract butterflies and enjoy loamy soil.
Philodendron
Philodendron are among the most popular houseplants because they come in so many different colors, variegations and looks. More importantly, they look amazing.
They’re perfect for indoor growing as well because they purify the air.
That said, these lovely foliage vining plants can likewise grow outside. They’re best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 where they’re comfortable with the weather all year round.
More importantly, do note that Philodendron are not frost hardy. As such, if you leave them outside through frost, they’ll turn from perennials into annuals.
Also, these plants will look very different when grown outdoors compared to indoors. They’ll get much bigger.
Other Fire Resistant Perennials
- Coral Bells
- Impatiens
- Hosta
- Geranium
- Coreopsis
- Foxglove
- Ferns
Shrubs
Camellia
Camellia is a stunning flowering shrub that’s perfect for adding depth and volume to your garden. These are gorgeous because they feature colorful blooms against a dark green background.
Camellia grow from between 2 to 12 feet high depending on the species you get. Just so you know, there are over 250 varieties around. Thus, you can choose the color and look that suits your garden best.
Shrubs are perfect for borders, fences or in the front of the house.
Another thing worth noting is that they thrive in partial shade. As such, you can keep them somewhere many other beautiful flowers can’t survive.
Lilac
If you want something more bushy, consider lilacs.
Lilacs are deciduous shrubs. As such, they’ll shed during the fall just like many trees and bushes.
But, they’re also fragrant and feature gorgeous blooms from mid to late spring.
Because they grow in clusters, you’ll see them bring more color and texture to your garden than some other shrubs especially greenery.
Lilac bushes grow to 8 to 15 feet tall. Thus, you can trim them to whatever height and thickness you want.
They do need full sun to be at their best. And, they enjoy loamy, well-draining soil.
As you probably already know, lavender colored lilacs are the most popular. But, there are many other hues to choose from as well. These include dark purple, white and burgundy.
These shrubs are likewise non-toxic which makes them safe should you have pets and young kids who enjoy playing outside.
Other Fire Resistant Shrubs
- Privet
- Photinia
- Rose
Ground Cover
Nasturtium
Nasturtium are versatile plants that can be used for many things in the garden. In addition to being fire resistant plants, they’re great as ground cover because they’re fast growing and can tolerate a lot of neglect.
You can likewise use them for the edges and borders of your yard because they get bushy. Or, if you need to fill walls or other vertical structures, these flowers will climb and trail as well.
The best part is, they’re colorful blooms are large enough to decorate their thick foliage. You can choose from different colors including yellow, pink, red and orange to name a few.
When growing nasturtium, position them somewhere they get full sun. They enjoy soil with pH of between 6 to 8 and well-draining soil.
With these conditions in place, you’ll be able to enjoy their fairly long-lasting blooms which go from May to September.
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Chamomile
Chamomile is best known as tea. And, while the plant is used to create tea, is also features other healing properties that make it perfect for a medicinal garden.
That said, its features make it a good fire resistant plant which helps retard flames from getting to your home. As such, it’s a good flower to grow around your house.
Do note that there are two main types of chamomile.
- German chamomile – an annual (perfect for ground cover or edging)
- Roman chamomile – a perennial (is the one used for tea)
As such, do go for the German chamomile if you’re looking to beautify your garden.
Other Fire Resistant Ground Cover Plants
- Alyssum
- Wild Ginger
- Viola
- Periwinkle
Vines
Clematis
If you want to add some vertical landscape or fill some structures with gorgeous flowers, look no further than the clematis vine.
Clematis are flowering vines that can get to 10 or more feet high.
They are amazing climbers that are stunning to look at once you let them get full and bushy. They come in different colors which fill the entire areas more than many other plants. As such, you see less of the green foliage and more of the lovely blooms.
Jasmine
Jasmine are somewhat the opposite of clematis. While they look just as stunning them you let them fill out, they feature much smaller flowers.
As such, from afar, they look like a combination of green and white that’s evenly spread out. But, once you get closer, you’ll quickly appreciate their beautiful star-shaped flowers.
Of course, if you want to be more unique to deliver a point, go with the pink jasmines which are showstoppers.
Jasmine can reach 20 feet in length. There bloom later in the winter and need full sun to grow their best.
Other Fire Resistant Vines
- Wisteria
- Boston Ivy
- Creeping Fig
- Trumpet Vine
Trees
Maple
Maple trees are very well-known. But, something not many people know is that there are many different varieties available. And, each one of them have different shaped leaves.
That said, they are beautiful with some species looking amazing come fall as they change color.
Maples tend to be drought tolerant as well. And, they do well in the shade.
If you’re a baseball fan, you probably know that many Major Leaguers love maple bats. That’s because the they feature very dense wood that makes it powerful when it comes to contact with the ball.
That said, there is hard and soft maple. The former is also popularly used for flooring because of its density.
Other Fire Resistant Trees
- Dogwood
- Magnolia
- Crepe Myrtle
- Ficus
- Birch
