Invasive plants can quickly take over your garden, crowding out native species and disrupting the balance of your outdoor space. Knowing which plants pose a threat is important for keeping your garden healthy and thriving.
By identifying and removing these invasive plants early, you protect your garden’s natural beauty and prevent costly damage. Taking the time to pull these plants now saves you effort and frustration down the road.
English Ivy
English ivy is a common vine you might see covering walls and trees. Although it looks nice, it can harm your garden by smothering plants and damaging structures.
If you find English ivy, pull it out by the roots. It takes time, but removing it helps protect your plants and keeps your space healthy.
Kudzu
You’ll recognize kudzu as a fast-growing vine that can quickly cover trees, fences, and other structures. It’s originally from eastern Asia but spreads aggressively in many areas.
If you spot kudzu, it’s best to pull it early before it smothers plants and blocks sunlight. Removing it can save your garden or yard from getting overwhelmed.
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed spreads quickly and is tough to control. You might notice it damaging foundations or taking over garden spaces.
Removing it can be tricky because even small root or stem pieces can grow back. It’s often best to get a professional to handle it safely. Act fast to stop it from spreading in your yard.
Giant Hogweed
Giant hogweed is a harmful plant you should remove as soon as possible. Its sap can cause severe burns on your skin when exposed to sunlight.
Be very careful if you handle it—wear protective clothing and avoid touching your face. Removing it safely helps protect your health and prevents it from taking over your garden.
Poison Ivy
Poison ivy can cause uncomfortable rashes if you touch its oily surface. It’s common in many yards and can quickly spread if left alone.
You should remove poison ivy by pulling out the roots to prevent it from coming back. Wearing gloves and protective clothing helps avoid skin contact when handling it.
Multiflora Rose
You’ll find multiflora rose growing up to 15 feet tall with thorny, arching stems. It spreads quickly in sunny, infertile soils, such as pastures and roadsides.
To control it, cut the canes close to the base and apply a stump-killing herbicide on the remaining stump. Remove all cut material carefully to prevent regrowth. Pull what you can before it produces seeds, ideally before August.
Burning Bush
If you have burning bush on your property, it’s a good idea to remove it. While it doesn’t spread as aggressively as some invasive shrubs, it can still harm local plants by taking up space and resources.
You can pull smaller plants by hand or cut larger ones down. Be sure to dispose of all parts properly to prevent regrowth. Regularly check your area to catch any new shoots early.
Wintercreeper
Wintercreeper is a fast-growing vine that can quickly cover your garden floor and shrubs. It smothers other plants by blocking light and taking up space.
You can pull it by hand when the soil is moist, making sure to remove the entire root to prevent it from growing back. Start at the edges and work slowly to clear it without harming nearby plants.
Privet
If you have privet in your garden, it’s a good idea to remove it. This plant spreads quickly and can crowd out native species.
Pulling privet early makes the job easier since it grows dense and tough over time. Keep an eye on new shoots after removal to prevent it from coming back.
Orange Daylilies
You might recognize orange daylilies by their bright, showy flowers. They often grow along roadsides and in overgrown areas.
While they look pretty, orange daylilies spread quickly and can take over natural spaces. If you want to protect your garden or nearby wild areas, it’s best to pull them out before they get out of control.
Himalayan Balsam
You should pull Himalayan Balsam as soon as you spot it. This plant spreads quickly by seeds and crowds out local plants.
Pull it when the soil is moist, ideally after rain, to make removal easier. Just be careful to remove it before the seeds start popping to stop further spread.
Creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie spreads quickly through its creeping stems, making it hard to remove completely. You might try hand-pulling, but it often comes back because roots stay in the soil.
If you’re dealing with it in your yard, prepping the soil and being patient during removal can help. It’s persistent but manageable with consistent effort.