The Most Invasive Plants in Every State

It's hard to outrun an invasive plant once it has taken root. Invasive plants are non-native plants that will cause havoc on the ecosystem, and they can have some detrimental effects for humans too. For invasive plants, the saying, "a pound of cure an ounce of prevention" is true. Hinder those meddlesome plants by arming yourself with the knowledge of what villainous greenery to keep an eye out for in your state.

Every state is going to have invasive plants itching to plant themselves into the soil. Even one as pretty as wisteria is a danger to the ecosystem. Dive into the official forestry website to learn a little more about the 14 most invasive species in Alabama.

• Autumn olive
• Tallowtree
• Wisteria

Flying up north to Alaska, the land of wilderness and sprawling space, there are quite a few plants that aren't native to that state. Dive into the full list to learn more about the ACCS program that's been documenting species since 2002.

• Ornamental jewelweed
• Giant hogweed
• Waterthyme
• Scotch broom

From chilly Alaska to scorching Arizona, invasive plants don't care about temperature. While Arizona might have a harsh desert environment, there are plenty of non-native plants that are beginning to sprout up, crowding out native plants. Interested in learning more? Arizona's forest community has you covered.

• Diffuse knapweed
• Fountaingrass
• Scotch thistle

Zip over to Arkansas for several dozen plants that are encroaching on native plants, threatening the ecosystem. The University of Arkansas' agriculture department offers plenty of ways to spot these threats as well as how to deal with them.

• Mimosa
• Bradford pear
• Large leaf vinca

California, with all of its rolling wineries and occasional superblooms, is a hotbed for plants to thrive. Stubborn plants, that is. And California is as rich with invasive plants as it is with wineries. Take a closer look at California's "Don't Plant Me!" list to dig a little deeper.

• English ivy
• Red sesbania
• Tree-of-heaven

From the California coast to the mountains of Colorado, you'll find plenty of non-native plants making their homes from backyards to the tops of mountains. Be aware of the plants Colorado is working to eradicate and those they're staying ahead of.

• Bohemian knotweed
• Flowering rush
• Parrotfeather

Connecticut might be a small New England state, but they've plenty to worry about with invasive plants running out the local flora. See what other plants the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council is working to keep away.

• Coltsfoot
• Belle honeysuckle
• White poplar

Like Connecticut, Delaware may not have a ton of area to cover, but there are still plants weeding their way in. The Delaware Invasive Species Council works hard to keep several dozen of these at bay.

• Butterfly bush
• Marsh dayflower
• Norway maple

While gators and manatees can run amok freely, Florida wants to reign in these invasive plants. The University of Florida keeps a close eye on those invasive plants to preserve Florida's natural beauty.

• Carrotwood
• Water hyacinth
• Downy rose myrtle

The Peach Tree state is working hard to keep invasive plants at bay. Georgia EPPC Invasive Plant List is a great place to start when searching for plants that are a threat to those native Georgia plants - including those sweet peaches.

• Marsh dayflower
• Garlic mustard
• Cogongrass

Say aloha to these invasive plants in luscious Hawaii. Threatening native plants, these invasive plants are at the top of Hawaii's noxious weed list. And at the top of your do not plant or spread list.

• Banana poka
• Devil weed
• Fireweed

Save the Idaho potatoes by staying up to date on Idaho's invasive and terrestrial plants. With an extensive list of 75 plants deemed noxious by the state, you'll want to double-check before planting anything new in your garden.

• Policeman's helmet
• Tall hawkweed
• Scotch broom

So many of Illinois's invasive plants are hidden among the local, native plants. Illinois works to counter those invasive plants by having an entire awareness month dedicated to them. Take some time to learn what plants this state would love to see in your yard - and those you need to avoid.

• Musk thistle
• Mimosa
• Winged burning bush

Approximately 500 of the more than 2,000 plants you'll find in Indiana are invasive plants. That's a lot of plants. The good news? The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is there to guide you and make sure you don't lend those noxious weeds a helping hand.

• Autumn olive
• Bush honeysuckle
• Norway maple

You have Iowa in your heart and hair, you owe Iowa so much. Why not pay that debt by keeping these invasive plants out of Iowa? Thankfully, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources makes it easy with their invasive species guide.

• Purple loosestrife
• Honeysuckle
• Salt cedar

Like Dorothy returning from Oz, make sure you aren't bringing anything to Kansas that wasn't meant to be growing there. The Kansas Forest Service will help you know which spores, seeds, and greenery are better suited elsewhere with its invasive plants list.

• Multiflora rose
• Black locust
• Princess tree

Don't let these plants take over your yard in Kentucky. The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Kentucky has plenty of information to dig even deeper into how to keep those invasive plants from taking root.

• Chinese privet
• Cogongrass
• Kudzu

Keep New Orleans and Louisiana thriving by avoiding adding these invasive plants to your yard. LSU works to keep an updated list to spread awareness - and minimize the spread of noxious weeds through the Big Easy state.

• Air potato
• Giant salvinia
• Rosea cane die-off

Those Mainers are maniacs for keeping invasive plants away from their native plants - and it's understandable! The Maine Natural Areas Program has kept a list since 2019 of plants that people need to be mindful of spreading, planting, or growing.

• Black locust
• Morrow's honeysuckle
• Climbing nightshade

The Maryland Department of Agriculture works hard not just to protect pollinators, but also the delicate ecosystem from invasive plants too. The Maryland Invasive Plant Advisory Committee has been around since 2011 to regulate invasive plant sales and keep them out of the state.

• Incised fumewort
• Japanese barberry
• Wintercreeper

Even all that water can't keep the invasive plants away from Massachusetts. Aside from the Yankee fans that pour into Fenway, the Mass Audubon society has an extensive list of non-native plants that need to scram.

• Dame's rocket
• Kudzu
• Pepperweed

Michigan has no shortage of invasive plants that're choking the ecosystem: trees, vines, herbs, grasses, and even aquatic plants are making themselves at home. The Michigan government keeps a close eye on each category, so you can be a mindful gardener.

• Curly-leaf pondweed
• Giant hogweed
• Multiflora rose

Flowering plants, trees, shrubs, and grasses are all part of the invasive plants list in Minnesota. And just when you thought that was it, vines add themselves to the conversation. Stay on top of the Minnesota invasive plants list.

• Poison hemlock
• Queen Anne's lace
• Norway maple

Trek down the Mississippi River to its namesake state. These plants are invasive to the state, but there are ways to control and keep them away. The Mississippi Forestry Commission keeps a record of each plant and their own roots.

• Kudzu
• Bradford pear
• Trifoliate orange

Lend Missouri a hand by stopping the invasion of these noxious weeds; instead, answer the call to protect Missouri's natural ecosystems. The Missouri Invasive Plant Council is a hardworking group to spread awareness of these plants and more.

• Common buckthorn
• Garlic mustard
• Teasel

Montana is waging a battle against several noxious weeds, from those with a limited presence to those that can really impact the ecosystem and be detrimental to other plants and animals. The Montana Weed Control Association keeps a running list from the worst to the least detrimental.

• Russian olive
• Canada thistle
• Common St. John's wort

Nebraska, it's endless cornfields and so many invasive plants looking to destroy a major industry. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture's Noxious Weed Program keeps a close eye on those invasive plants, and you can too.

• Plumeless thistle
• Leafy spurge
• Common reed

There's more to Nevada than the desert and Las Vegas. Do your part when you're traveling through Nevada or settling into your home and planning a garden. Keep these invasive plants far away. The Nevada Department of Agriculture keeps a list to help you out.

• Horsenettle
• Mayweed chamomile
• Waterhemlock

You may find yourself scratching your head at how anything can grow in the Granite State, but it sure can. Invasive species can thrive there as well as anywhere. You can rely on the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food to make sure you aren't illegally transporting or planting any of these invasive plants.

• Reed sweet grass
• Moneywort
• Autumn olive

No plant proves that invasive plants are quite as dangerous like the mile-a-minute vine. Once that takes hold in New Jersey, it can grow up to six inches a day. Do your part to keep invasive plants out of New Jersey.

• Border privet
• Yellow iris
• Sweet cherry

With approximately 67 plants deemed invasive plants by New Mexico, it's a good idea to be an informed gardener before you start any planting. The New Mexico State University keeps an updated list of invasive plants and noxious weeds ready for you to browse.

• Black henbane
• Dalmatian toadflax
• Oxeye daisy

The Empire State is more than just New York City. Sprawling landscapes, hills, and lakes are prime for invasive species. Keep an eye out for these in your yard, and take care not to help them spread. Consult Cornell University's list of invasive plants in New York before planting.

• Giant hogweed
• Japanese barberry
• Wild parsnip

The North Carolina Forest Service not only has a list of invasive vines to keep out, but invasive trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses. Consult North Carolina's extensive invasive plants list before digging into your next projects.

• Callery pear
• Chinese silvergrass
• Bicolor lespedeza

Just because you want to add that exotic plant to your North Dakota garden doesn't make it a great idea. Will it look great? Probably! Could it be an invasive plant that chokes out the existing plants and tilts the ecosystem off its balanced axis? Quite likely.

• Baby's breath
• German chamomile
• Spiny snowthistle

Ohio isn't buckeye-ing around when it comes to invasive plants. Help to protect native plant species and keep invasive plants from taking up precious space.

• Flowering rush
• Common teasel
• European frogbig

The sooner you can kick and keep these invasive plants out of your yard in Oklahoma, the better. The Oklahoma Invasives website allows you to search for invasive species not only by habitat, but by region.

• Field brome
• Yellow rocket
• Common morning glory

Oregon's State Weed Board is only concerned about one type of bud: noxious weeds. Those invasive plants don't need a place in your yard, and the board keeps an informative list so you can stay up to date.

• Silverleaf nightshade
• Cape ivy
• Orange hawkweed

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources works diligently to keep invasive species out of the 124 state parks and out of your backyard. Not only can you rely on the DCNR to help you ID those invasive plants, but they help you learn how to protect your plants.

• Guelder rose
• Cork tree
• White mulberry

Rhode Island University gives a solid description of just what separates an invasive plant from a species that's new to the area: "Invasive species are rapid growers that produce many seeds and crowd out the native species in an area." Help the Ocean State out by keeping those invasive plants out of its 1,200 square miles.

• Japanese berry
• Porcelain berry
• Purple loosestripe

Brush up on your South Carolina invasive plant knowledge and how you can help to control the dispersion of those plants. You can help the South Carolina Native Plant Society by keeping the invasive plants out of your yard completely.

• Multiflora rose
• Thorny olive
• Beach vitex

Just because the list of invasive plants in South Dakota isn't extensive doesn't mean they can't do some serious damage. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources keeps a close eye on how to keep the ecosystem healthy and balanced.

• Perennial sow thistle
• Salt cedar
• Absinth wormwood

You'll find your yard feeding you that classic Tennessee pickup line if you follow Tennessee Invasive Plant Council's guidelines on those noxious weeds. What's more charming than a garden without invasive plants?

• Hungarian brome
• Burning bush
• Wineberry

Sprawling, sunny, hot Texas is just as like likely to have invasive plants - but no more than other states. The Texas Invasive Species Institute helps to spread the word about not only invasive plants, but animals too, as well as how to battle these invasive greens.

• Amur honeysuckle
• Camelthorn
• Tree-of-heaven

Like most states, Utah divides their invasive plants into categories: early detection, rapid response, control, containment, and prohibited. The Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food keeps a detailed list, including some that aren't viewed as a noxious weed in some counties.

• Myrtle spurge
• Hoary cress
• Houndstounge

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, non-native plants were introduced to Vermont and those stunning Green Mountains. Vermont keeps close track of those terrestrial invasive plants, making it easy for you to be a mindful gardener.

• Cypress spurge
• Bishop's weed
• Wild chervil

Virginia, in all its glory, is waging a war against invasive plants, and you can do your part by checking your planting plans against the list of invasive plant species. The list ranges from high to low, with plants that are a significant threat and those that aren't as harmful.

• Yellow flag
• Cinnamon vine
• Winged euonymus

Head to the Pacific Northwest, and you'll find invasive plants trying to work their way between the natural greenery of Washington State. The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board categorizes those invasive plants into three categories, from those that are causing minor disruptions to those that are widespread or affecting the agriculture industry.

• Common teasel
• Italian arum
• White cockle

West Virginia, mountain mama, there are plenty of non-native species looking to take root here. The West Virginia government keeps a list of the dirty dozen invasive plants that citizens can help eradicate and avoid introducing in the first place.

• Water shield
• Crown vetch
• Mile-a-minute vine

While you're enjoying your Wisconsin cheese curds and dreaming of your yard, keep an eye out for these invasive plants. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources keeps a running list of non-native plant species that are disrupting the local ecosystem.

• Orange daylily
• Queen Anne's lace
• Field bindweed

Take a glance at both the designated and invasive plants you'll find through Wyoming, courtesy of the Wyoming Weed Pest Council. Help to keep Wyoming beautiful and green by digging up those noxious weeds out of your yard and the state.

• Leafy spurge
• Oxeye daisy
• Russian knapweed

If you continue to be drawn to those invasive plants that are just too pretty (who can blame you for wanting to grow baby's breath?), keep them potted indoors and away from anywhere they can spread. Be a mindful, conscientious gardener. The beauty of nature can be awfully hard to resist.