Invasive Plants Every Homeowner Should Know About

Many people struggle to get rid of mysterious plants that seemingly arrive out of nowhere. Unfortunately, these plants are most likely invasive and were brought in from another country long ago. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with invasive plants that grow in the United States.

The most common invasive plants in the United States include Japanese honeysuckle, English ivy, and kudzu. Other invasive species, such as Callery pear, Japanese barberry, and purple loosestrife, can wreak havoc on you and your neighbor’s yards. Notify your local state authorities before eradicating the invasive plants in your yard.

That way, your the agricultural authorities will know what to look out for in the area. Follow along as we highlight invasive plants every homeowner should know about.

The Most Common Invasive Plants In The United States

1. Kudzu

Kudzu first came to the United States when Japan displayed it at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The intention was good, but nobody expected the problems the plant would cause. It quickly became an issue in the 1930s when the U.S. used kudzu to prevent soil erosion during the Dust Bowl. 

Now you can find it in unwanted places all over the Southeast where it spreads rampantly. The invasive vine can grow up to 12” per day, which can smother nearby plants by blocking the sunlight. Kudzu causes major problems for the local ecosystem by wiping out biodiversity. The vines can even climb structures, such as sheds, garages, and houses. If you live in the Southeast, you’ve probably already seen kudzu without knowing it.

2. English Ivy

English ivy first came to the U.S. in the 1700s, and like kudzu, it spreads aggressively and restricts the growth of nearby plants. English ivy often climbs neighboring trees, adding excess weight and preventing photosynthesis. The vines can also retain fungal diseases and spread them to trees and other plants. English ivy can harm existing plants, and can stop seeds from spreading and can prevent native plants from getting a chance to grow.

3. Japanese Honeysuckle

Japanese honeysuckle, widely used in the U.S. to prevent erosion, is yet another problematic invasive plant. The big problem with Japanese honeysuckle is that stopping its spread is not easy. You can do your best to prevent it from spreading to nearby plants and properties, but it may be beyond your control.

That’s because birds often eat seeds and spread them through their waste as they fly. In that case, consider whether it was worth planting Japanese honeysuckle in the first place. While you can limit its spread in your yard, those seeds could land miles away and cause big problems elsewhere.

4. Chinese Wisteria

Chinese wisteria is just as beautiful as it is harmful, at least in the U.S. The purple flowers that it produces are vibrant, but they carry dangerous implications. They contain wisterin and lectins, which are toxic chemicals that can harm humans and animals. Aggressive and fast-growing, Chinese wisteria can grow 25-40 feet in many environments, but it’s been documented to grow up to 80 feet tall in the wild.

That may be rare, but you can at least expect Chinese wisteria to climb nearby trees and structures around your home. You’re better off planting native plants that won’t spread aggressively and impact your surrounding ecosystem. Invasive plants can impact your neighbors as much as it does you.

5. Norway Maple

Many people want to introduce some shade to their yards by planting trees. That’s fair, but you should avoid a Norway maple tree at all costs because the cons outweigh the pros. It will add plenty of shade, but also hinders nearby plant growth. The seeds can spread quickly through the wind and when birds eat them.

Unlike some other invasive species on this list, the Norway maple looks like a native plant in many ways, but it's not. The Norway maple has shallow roots, which can extend beneath sidewalks and driveways. The headaches never end with this tree, so you remove it as quickly as possible or better still, don't plant one in your yard.

6. Japanese Barberry

Japanese barberry was brought to the U.S. as an ornamental plant and produces red berries, which appeal to many birds, who eat and digest them, and spread the seeds through their feces. It’s a roll of the dice where this seed-containing fecal matter lands, which is quite problematic.

You may like the appearance of the Japanese barberry and think the pros outweigh the cons. However, remember that planting Japanese barberry will harm your local ecosystem. Even worse, many pests, such as disease-carrying ticks, love hiding in Japanese barberry because it’s the perfect shelter.

7. Purple Loosestrife

The flowers that grow on purple loosestrife are gorgeous, but are they worth it? No, they’re not, because purple loosestrife is invasive and can dominate any area in which it grows. Granted, this plant doesn’t grow as quickly as something like kudzu, but it spreads at an accelerated rate. Each purple loosestrife plant can produce up to 2 million seeds per year. This is bad news for you and your neighbors, because the seeds can spread through birds, water, and wind. 

8. Callery Pear

The callery pear is so unique and beautiful that discovering that it's invasive is somewhat heartbreaking. Native to China and Vietnam, the Callery pear tree is bad for non-native environments in nearly every way. For example, it doesn’t support local insects, which disrupts the surrounding ecosystem.

Even worse, they block sunlight that would otherwise support low-lying plants. Callery pear trees don’t overtake nearby plants in the way that kudzu and English ivy do. Instead, they slowly damage the local ecosystem over many months and even years. The woody thorns they spawn can harm you, so be careful when removing Callery pear trees. It’s worth hiring a tree removal service to do the job if you can justify the expense.

What To Do If You Find An Invasive Plant

First and foremost, photograph it and do research to verify its identity. It’s also a great idea to contact your neighbors and let them know about your discovery. That way, they can keep an eye on what’s growing in their yards to eradicate any invasive plants before they take over. You must also inform your local authorities or the Department of Agriculture of your findings.

Fighting invasive plants is easier if you have the city and county on your side. Send them pictures and coordinates so they can map the area and think about where the plant could have spread. You can carefully pull the invasive plant from the soil, or dig it out if it’s too big. In extreme cases, you may need to cover the surrounding area with a tarp and suffocate the plant for a few weeks. This is the best way to kill invasive finds and stop them from spreading.

Can You Get In Trouble For Having Invasive Plants?

You can get in trouble for growing invasive plants, but it’s a complex issue that varies by state. For example, Illinois prohibits people from buying, selling, and growing invasive plants. Some states will even fine you for growing noxious weeds, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the banned plants in your state.

However, state officials won’t walk into your garden and send you to jail for having invasive plants. Most people aren’t even aware they have invasive plants in their yard. It’s worth reviewing the list of invasive and banned species in your state so you can identify them as needed. This is the best way to avoid fines and protect your native plants from getting smothered.

Summing It Up

Every homeowner should be aware of invasive plants such as kudzu, English ivy, and Japanese honeysuckle. Callery pear trees, purple loosestrife, and Japanese barberry are other common invasive plants that can damage your local ecosystem. Knowingly growing, buying, and selling invasive plants can result in fines and penalties from your state government.

Related Guides:

• What To Do If Your Neighbor Has A Dangerous Tree
• Does Homeowner Insurance Cover Tree Removal?