These plants will annoy your neighbors! See why:
How can plants annoy people? you might ask. Oh well, while a garden is supposed to bring peace, quiet, and a serene landscape for the owners to relax into, sometimes it could be the exact opposite.
Maybe some neighbors may be too nosy and stick out their noses into stuff that’s not their business at all, like peeping over your fence to see what you’re doing or trying to destroy certain plants that attract insects or pollinators. The nerve they have!
Either you want to keep those people away from invading your personal space or you’re up for lighthearted and innocent pranks, continue reading because, in this article, I will tell you which are the most annoying plants and why, and where to plant them to ward off the unwanted guest without harming somebody.
English Ivy
If you’re striving for a Haunted Hill house, kind of look for your property and keep away that nosy neighbor who keeps staring at your doorstep every time is out with the dog, then opt for English ivy.
Used by many for its ability to keep the house in shadow during the warm season, English ivy is one of those annoying plants on the list. Yes, it will keep your home protected from the scorching sun, but at what cost? English ivy can do a lot of damage to the walls, looking for tiny fissures in the mortar and inserting their little roots there to cling on.
That may not sound like a big deal, but as the plant grows, one tiny root will eventually form a cluster of roots, and before you know it, these vines are tearing down your chimney, brick by brick. So before hurrying to plant it to create an intimate look of a gothic house, think about whether it’s worth it or not.
Bamboo
Hey, but what’s wrong with a cute bamboo? They’re supposed to bring luck, so why is this one of the annoying plants? Well, it may help you create a natural fence and keep people from the street from looking into your garden. But there is always a but; in reality, this plant grows so big and thick it may be bothersome even for you as the owner of the garden. Unless, of course, you’re living somewhere else in which adopting a panda is perfectly fine.
Jokes aside, your garden will quickly turn into a thick and opaque forest, and when you realize this you will probably be annoyed by it too and you will try to remove the plant ASAP. I have bad bad news, once it grows somewhere it’s very hard to destroy it.
Bonus tip: I also recommend going for camellias or forsythia. These two both needed warm weather to thrive and grew up to 9 feet tall. Because of that, you can use them as privacy fences. Plus, the camellias also bloom spectacularly beautiful red and pink flowers that will last until the temperatures drop.
If you want to annoy that neighbor but also keep your garden space safe, arbovitae can also be a great addition. Growing up to 20 feet tall, this plant is super low maintenance and functions as noise cancellers. Plant them near the fence!
Stinging nettle
You can look, but you cannot touch! I know at least four people who have full-on hatred for this particular plant but for all the good reasons. Yes, it’s used as a herbal remedy in teas and other stuff, but when it comes to touching it, you better not!
Living up to its name, the stinging nettle stings you so bad you won’t forget it. They’re not poisonous or life-threatening, so if you’re up to prank your neighbors, plant it carefully near the fence, somewhere preferably where it may be touched just a little to make room for sticking their nose into your garden. If you hear them saying “Argh!” come and say hello. They’ll probably be surprised and annoyed by it, after all, their plan failed!
If by any chance you will want to move it, make sure you wear gloves! The pain from its sting lasts for around 15 minutes until it becomes bearable.
Voodoo lilies
No, your neighbor won’t get cursed if they touch this annoying plant. I mean, judging by its look, you may think it’s a lovely bloom that smells like spring. Bad news! It doesn’t. As carnivorous plants, voodoo lilies really gobble up insects. Sounds great, until you know that their primary food is carrion beetles and flies, which they entice with the scent of decaying, stinking flesh, leading to their blossoms.
Not many people know about this plant, so in case you’re thinking of planting it, plant it in a spot that will make that annoying neighbor tempted to touch it, or worse, get close to it to see in your garden, and booyah! They will be disgusted by the horrible smell.
Want to get the look of English ivy without actually damaging your house walls? I got you! Check out this artificial ivy privacy fence screen, perfect to make your space even more private. It’s available in various sizes; please check which one better suits your space. Prices may vary, ranging from $20 to $40 or more.
Bradford pear trees
Honestly, this shouldn’t be a surprise because everybody hates this tree. I hope that’s not the case with you, but maybe you’re lucky and the neighbors hate it as much as others. The deal with this tree is that despite its beauty and excellent fruits, this plant has an odd quirk that makes the neighborhood go crazy every spring: it looks as though the lovely blossoms release an overpowering, sometimes unwelcome… well, stench.
Many people say the smell resembles a bag of rotten fish, while others (me included) say that it has a very masculine aroma. No matter, it was banned in Ohio in 2023. So maybe if you’re that lucky person who doesn’t live in Ohio and has a not-so-friendly neighborhood, consider planting a Bradford pear tree somewhere near the house. You know, just to keep away those who never seem to get tired of sticking their noses into other people’s gardens!
Cockleburs
Unlike the Bradford pear tree which has a not-so-nice smell, cockleburs can be annoying by simply existing. And if you’re brave enough to grow it in your garden, then you’ll probably swear a lot if by any chance it clings to your hair or clothes. Or both.
But be aware that these hitchhikers can also attach to a dog’s fur, and they’re very hard to remove unless you go to the vet.
Remember that…
…if you’re dealing with nosy people, having these plants will annoy your neighbors, but it doesn’t guarantee they will leave you alone. So besides that, try to create a more private garden by starting with your fence. Make a few adjustments or replace it completely with a taller one, but not before checking local rules regarding fences. In most places, fences that are 1.8 meters high won’t need any approval, but read the law before so you won’t have any issues.
Use a private screen for your windows as well, because if you don’t have a big garden space through the fence, they can easily see the inside of your house too. For a little more privacy, opt for a vertical garden, and if you want, go for one made of bamboo. Trust me, it’s not as bad as everyone says.
Related article: 5 Basic Gardening Tools Anyone Should Have.
