Dracaena Spikes are often sold as annuals in nurseries, but just because the summer is over doesn’t mean you need to pull this plant and discard it. Spikes are actually a cold hardy plant in USDA planting zones 7-11, and can grow up to 2 feet in height, returning year after year when left outdoors. If you live in one of these zones there’s no need to move your spikes indoors for the winter months, or toss the plant in the trash.

Spikes are sold initially in small sizes for easy use in container gardens. After 4 or 5 months in a pot Dracaena Spikes may begin to take over valuable space, and hide your lower growing plants. If you want to reclaim space in your outdoor containers for new plants, you can dig out this plant and move it to your main garden. Use the cooler fall and winter months to create a plan that incorporates these heat and cold tolerant plants into one of your garden beds.

I saved a few spikes from planters to fill in the space between a brick wall and a seasonally rotating planting section, and they have become a stable perennial in that area. After two years the spikes are large and soften the appearance of the brick wall beautifully.

Try incorporating spikes into your yard, and let me know how you like to display yours!