Some plants look beautiful in the garden center but can turn into a homeowner’s nightmare; soon, these invasive plants may spread aggressively, crowding out other flowers and shrubs, damaging structures, and creating long-term maintenance headaches. Here are six plants that require you to pause before adding them to your landscape.
Kudzu: the king of invasive plants
Kudzu spreads fast, covering fences, trees, and even houses if left unchecked. While some use it for erosion control, its aggressive growth has overtaken large stretches of roadsides across the Southeast. Planting kudzu at home is simply asking for trouble.
English ivy: a persistent groundcover
Although not as overpowering as kudzu, English ivy can smother flowerbeds, climb trees, and damage masonry. Once established, it’s tough to remove, requiring constant cutting back to keep it under control.
Wisteria: gorgeous but destructive
Wisteria’s cascading purple blooms are stunning, but its woody vines twist around fences and masonry, causing long-term damage. Without heavy pruning, it can easily overwhelm your yard.
Bamboo: fast-growing and hard to remove
Bamboo may seem like a great natural privacy screen, but it spreads underground through rhizomes and can grow up to a foot per day. Once it takes hold, bamboo is nearly impossible to remove completely.
Morning glory: charming but invasive
Morning glory’s trumpet-shaped blooms look sweet, but this plant quickly spreads and strangles nearby flowers. Consider a less-invasive option like honeysuckle for color without the takeover.
Ferns: lush but unruly
Ferns create a tropical feel, but once planted, they spread aggressively and are hard to eradicate. Before adding them to your landscape, check with your local nursery for less-invasive varieties.
Related – Choosing the Right Trees for Your Landscape
