8 Flammable Trees and Plants That Could Turn Your Garden Into a Fire Hazard

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is great for arid regions because it doesn’t need much water, but this plant burns very easily.

“[It] secretes volatile essential oils in its leaves and other organs, which are highly flammable, even at lower ignition points,” says Melvin Cubian, a gardening expert from the PlantIn app.

Plus, eucalyptus bark sheds in long strips, creating the perfect dry litter to act like kindling, he adds. So be sure to plant this tree far away from your home.

Bamboo

Bamboo is another plant you should avoid placing right next to your home.

“Once dried, the dead branches serve as firewood for starting flames,” says Cubian. Plus, bamboo's hollow stems dry out quickly and can pop or explode when exposed to fire. “Dried leaves around its vicinity can also help spread the flames in case of accidental ignition," he adds.

Pine

This tree, despite being known as drought- and fire-resistant, is actually quite flammable.

“All parts of a pine tree—needles, bark, and sap—are extremely flammable due to high resin content,” says Cubian. The long needles create a thick mat of dry fuel on the ground, he adds, while the sap can explode or flare under heat.

Pine trees are best placed far away from your house and planted so they aren't on top of other trees or shrubs.

Juniper

Juniper is another evergreen that tends to burn easily due to high oil or resin content.

“Their dense, fine foliage can get quite dry in the summertime,” says master gardener Mary Jane Duford. They also tend to accumulate dry, dead material.

“This creates a dry cache of highly flammable, dry, fine-textured material with a high natural plant oil content," she says. Plant juniper far away from your home to be on the safe side.

Cedar

Another evergreen, cedar has some of the same problems as pine and juniper: high oil and resin content, as well as flammable, dry pine leaves.

“All evergreens should be planted away from buildings, ideally at least 30 feet away in fire-prone areas,” says Duford. Instead of planting evergreens against your home, plant them on property lines, or use them as a visual screen in the distance.

Miscanthus

Miscanthus is an ornamental grass, which can pose a greater risk in terms of flammability.

“Their growth habit results in fine-textured, skinny foliage that loses moisture fast in dry weather,” says Duford. This foliage and dead thatch ignites very quickly and burns fast. “Plus, taller ornamental grasses planted against buildings can spread fire to structures,” she adds.

To make it safer, Duford recommends using ornamental grasses as accents in open garden beds that are far away from structures. “Surround ornamental grasses with gravel, stone pathways, or irrigated ground covers," she adds.

Lavender

It's a great ground cover, but lavender contains oils that ignite easily.

“To reduce risk, they should be planted at least 5 to 10 feet away from any structure,” says Paul Christofi, chief business development officer and co-founder at FC Fire Prevention. “Instead, use fire-resistant options like hydrangeas, daylilies, or sedum, and consider gravel mulch near the home to limit fire spread.”

Rosemary

Rosemary is more flammable than most other herbs. “One disadvantage of being a fragrant plant like rosemary is that it's packed with essential oil,” says Cubian. These oils can easily catch fire.

Another issue? “In hot conditions, its small, needle-like leaves and volatile compounds can catch fire easily," he adds. Instead, grow this plant in its own container to keep fire spreading to a minimum.