Is It Illegal To Plant An Invasive Plant?

Invasive plants may be bad for the ecosystem, but many of them look quite visually appealing. This makes many people understandably torn about whether or not they should plant an invasive species. So, is it illegal to plant an invasive plant?

It is illegal to plant an invasive species in most states, and violators may face steep fines. Invasive plants can displace native plants that are naturally supposed to be there, and this impacts local wildlife. You can eradicate nearby invasive plants if you remove the roots or smother them with thick plastic sheets. 

Invasive plants can easily spread because of bugs, animals, and the wind. It’s easier to get rid of them if you catch them early before the roots grow too deep. Follow along as we explore the legality of invasive plants and highlight how to get rid of them. 

Are Invasive Plants Illegal?

It is illegal to plant invasive plants in most legal jurisdictions. You cannot even legally plant invasive plants in your yard in most cases, as many invasive plants spread quickly. The regulations and fines for invasive plants vary between states, so you must research local laws. 

However, in many states, you can face fines if you plant invasive plants. That’s because you can damage the local ecosystem when the invasive plants spread quickly. Granted, everyone can’t necessarily see the invasive plants on their property, especially if your backyard is private. 

You still face fines if someone sees the invasive plants and reports you. That’s why planting an invasive species is not worth the trouble in the first place. 

Why Are Invasive Plants Bad?

Invasive plants are bad because they threaten native plants. This can negate the diversity of the local plant populations and even affect some animals. Many invasive plants can quickly take over an area and change the habitat. 

The invasive species may overtake plants that local animals eat to survive. This will reduce their food sources and make it much harder for them to thrive in their habitat. By disrupting the food chain, animals may have to veer off their path to find food elsewhere.

This displaces animals and can even separate mature animals from their young as they seek new food sources. Invasive plants themselves don’t have natural predators locally, so it’s hard to stop them from growing and spreading quickly. Human intervention is typically needed to get rid of invasive plants. 

How To Get Rid Of Invasive Plants In Your Garden

The best way to get rid of invasive plants is to avoid planting them in the first place. However, some people buy houses only to find invasive plants in their new gardens. In that case, you can take a few steps to get rid of the invasive plants, such as:

1. Dig Them Up

Depending on the type of invasive plant, you may be able to dig it up to get rid of it. Naturally, this is much harder if you have invasive trees in your yard. In that case, you must call a tree removal service to ensure it gets done safely. 

Otherwise, you can easily dig up many small invasive plants and remove the roots. It takes some elbow grease, as some invasive plants have deep roots. In some cases, you may not be able to completely remove the roots if they are too deep. 

You can still destroy the roots if you drill holes in them or cut them with thick shears. The holes and cuts will let you dump herbicide into the root. This should be enough to kill the roots, so they’re much easier to dig up. 

2. Kill Them With Herbicides

Herbicides help countless homeowners eliminate unwanted plants from their gardens. They can help you quickly kill invasive plants in your garden. However, you must be careful, as some herbicides don’t discriminate against which plants they kill.

For example, non-selective herbicides can kill any plant they come into contact with. Conversely, selective herbicides only target specific types of plants. It’s hard to find selective herbicides to kill specific invasive plant species.

That means you must be careful when you spray the invasive plant in question with an herbicide. You may accidentally harm nearby plants, but it’s worth it if that’s your only option. Triclopyr and glyphosate are the two best herbicides to kill invasive plants. 

3. Smother Them

One of the easiest ways to get rid of invasive plants in your garden is to smother them. Naturally, plants need sunlight and air to grow and spread. You can kill invasive plants if you stop them from getting air, sunlight, and water. 

The best way to do this is to cover the plants with thick layers of plastic sheets. Lay the sheets out so they cover the plants completely, so no sun or water can get through to them. It’s also a great idea to set the sheets so they run past the plants. 

That way, you can stop their roots from getting water and nutrients. This method requires patience, as it may take a while to smother the invasive plant. However, it’s a great option if you don’t have the tools and time to dig them up and destroy the roots. 

How Do Invasive Plants Spread?

Invasive plants often spread when seeds and fragments travel via the wind or attach to vehicles. This helps explain how invasive plants wind up in the most unexpected places. Unfortunately, they also spread when people intentionally plant them because they like their appearance.

They can also spread due to heavy winds as the wind can carry seeds. Insects and birds can also spread the seeds and pieces of invasive plants. Some garden centers even sell wood and soil that is contaminated with invasive plant seeds and fragments. 

Summing It Up

Planting invasive plants is illegal, and you may face fines and other legal repercussions if you get caught. They may accidentally wind up in your garden because of insects, birds, and wind that carries seeds and plant fragments. The best way to get rid of invasive plants is to dig up the roots, drill holes in them, and fill the roots with an herbicide. 

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