8 invasive plants that could be lurking in your garden
Our gardens might be more modest and significantly quieter over the winter months, but there are still some gardening jobs that can be carried out during this time – including keeping an eye out for invasive plants.
In fact, experts have recommended households take a ‘winter purge’ to identify and remove any plant species in gardens that might cause problems come summer.
Ecologists from Arbtech have named eight invasive plants in particular that have become widespread across the UK and can cause issues if left to grow freely.
Most people are already familiar with Japanese Knotweed – a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial commonly found on UK riverbanks, waste grounds and roadside verges – which appears on the list, but there are a few other plants to be mindful of as well.
Two other invasive plants that are widespread and often found in residential gardens are giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam.
These species are listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to cause the spread of these species, due to the risk posed to native floral species.
Others on the list include giant rhubarb, a plant from South America – also known as Gunnera – which has been found to spread rapidly and choke native flora. The UK government enacted a ban on giant rhubarb back in 2023 – similar to the one on Japanese knotweed – meaning it cannot be sold or cultivated, and those who have it in their gardens must ensure it does not spread.
Curly waterweed, which is native to Southern Africa but was first recorded in the UK in 1944, is another invasive plant to look out for. It's known for its very rapid growth rate, which allows it to outcompete other slower-growing plants. Under Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act, gardeners possessing curly waterweed should undertake measures to control it.
Floating pennywort, which can swamp waterways and block water flow, and aquatic plant parrot’s feather – which can out-compete native species and disrupt natural erosion-deposition processes and the movement of animals – also appear on the list.
8 invasive plants to look out for in your garden
Giant rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria)
Curly waterweed (Lagarosiphon major)
Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)
Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens gladulifera)
Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatumi)
Parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
A spokesperson for Arbtech said: "There are many invasive species of plants which, while not native to the UK, have managed to establish themselves here over many years.
"By their very nature these plants are usually fast growing and are able to spread vigorously.
"Left unchecked they can create all manner of problems for homeowners from structural damage to presenting a potentially lethal threat to pets if eaten.
"They are usually viewed as weeds although some of them can appear quite attractive and many gardeners can be forgiven for confusing them with flowers and not realising just how much of a problem they present."
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