Plants That Help Protect Against Fire
Question: What are some fire-resistant plants that I can plant in my yard, besides iceplant?
D.Z., Placentia
Answer: There are many fire-resistant plants to choose from. Many such plants tend to have the following characteristics: They are low-growing and compact, are easily maintained and pruned, have low sap or resin content, have high moisture content and grow without accumulating a great deal of dead branches, needles or leaves.
Most broad-leafed and succulent-type plants tend to be more fire-resistant than those with needle-like foliage or fine leaves. Plants with high moisture content in their leaves and stems have been shown to be the most fire-resistant. Succulents fall into this category.
Iceplant does have a high moisture content that makes it fire-resistant, but some types can get a buildup of woody growth. During heavy rains, carpobrotus can even cause slippage of steep slopes because of its weight.
These plants are only a partial list of many to consider for a fire-resistant planting. For a more detailed compilation of fire-resistant plants, consult Maureen Gilmer’s book “California Wildfire Landscaping” (Taylor Publishing, 1994, $10.95).
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The following plants, which are primarily succulents, have the greatest fire-resistance:
* Aeonium decorum and aeonium simsii
* Agave victoriae-reginae
* Aloe aristata and Aloe brevifolia
* Carpobrotus edulis
* Delosperma ‘Alba’ (White trailing iceplant)
* Drosanthemum floribundum and D. hispidum (Rosea iceplant)
* Lampranthus filicaulis (Redondo Creeper) and L. Spectabilis (Trailing iceplant)
* Sedums such as S. acre (Goldmoss sedum), S. album (Green stonecrop), S. rubrotinctum (Pork and Beans)
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The following plants are some of the most fire-resistant nonsucculent species to consider. These plants have leaves with high moisture content, a low-growth habit and promote fire resistance if properly maintained:
* Achillea tomentosa (wooly yarrow)--sun
* Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugle)--shade
* Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in summer)--sun
* Euonymus fortunei radicans (Wintercreeper)
* Gazania leucolaena (Trailing Gazania)--sun
* Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ (Hall’s Honeysuckle)--sun
* Osteospermum fruticosum (Trailing African daisy)--sun
* Pelargonium peltatum (Ivy geranium)--sun
* Salvia sonomensis (Creeping sage)--sun
* Thymus praecox-arcticus (Mother of Thyme)--sun--and T. pseudolanuginosus (Wooly Thyme)--sun
* Vinca Major and Vinca Minor
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The following plants have the lowest fire resistance of the plants mentioned so far, but they can make a significant contribution to a more fire-safe landscape if properly planted and maintained:
* Baccharis pilularis prostrata (dwarf coyote bush) and the hybrid B. p. ‘Twin Peaks’--sun
* Carissa grandiflora ‘Green carpet’ (Natal Plum)--sun
* Ceanothus species such as C. gloriosus, C. griseus horizontalis, and C. prostratus--sun
* Cistus salviifolius (Sageleaf rockrose)--sun
* Hedera canariensis (Algerian Ivy), H. helix (English Ivy)--part Sun
* Helianthemum nummularium (sunrose)--sun
* Lantana montevidensis (Trailing lantana)--sun
* Rosemary officinalis ‘Prostratus’ (Dwarf rosemary)--sun
* Teucrium chamaedrys (Germander)--sun
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a low-growing California native flower that can be planted in small, widely spaced clusters to add increased color to fire-resistant planting.
When choosing other colorful plants to place near your home, choose ones that are low growing with low fuel volumes and vigorously maintain them.
When incorporating trees, plant them at least 10 feet from your home, and choose varieties that are small and slow-growing. (Deciduous trees contain the greatest amount of moisture.)
Have a problem in your yard? University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners are here to help. These trained and certified horticultural volunteers are dedicated to extending research-based, scientifically accurate information to the public about home horticulture and pest management. They are involved with a variety of outreach programs, including the UCCE Master Garden hotline, which provides answers to specific questions. You can reach the hotline at (714) 708-1646 or send e-mail to ucmastergardeners@yahoo.com. Calls and e-mail are picked up daily and are generally returned within two to three days.
