Problem plants: these varieties can cause trouble in the garden

October 10, 2024, 10:56 am | Read time: 5 minutes

The plant world surprises gardeners time and again with impressive flowers and colors or tasty fruits. While some are an enrichment, other specimens can become a real problem. myHOMEBOOK reveals which plants gardening enthusiasts should keep an eye on.

When looking for suitable plants for your garden, you should always find out exactly what plants you have chosen. Various popular plants can cause problems in the garden. In this article, you can find out which problem plants are rampant, poisonous, or can trigger allergies.

1. Mint (Lamiaceae family)

Pflanzen nicht im Garten: Blüten von einer Minze — Mint, with its deep green and freshly scented leaves, is a popular medicinal herb

Because mint thrives under favorable conditions, it can quickly become problematic in the garden. However, the roots of members of the mint family sprout rapidly, making it challenging to keep up with their rapid growth. Once a mint plant has spread its roots, it will crowd out many other flowers. Tip: It’s better to grow mint in a pot, bucket, or balcony box.

2. Night violet (Hesperis matronalis)

Pflanzen nicht im Garten: Violette Blüte der Nachtviole — Moonlight scent: night violets exude a beguiling fragrance in the summer evening hours

The beautiful, deep purple-flowering night violet is often confused with the popular phlox. Although both perennials have the same strong fragrance, that is where the similarity ends. This is because, unlike phlox, night violet is related to garlic mustard. Night violet spreads quickly and crowds out many other plants in the garden, which is why it’s considered one of the problem plants.

3. Viper’s bugloss (Lythrum)

Pflanzen nicht im Garten: Lythrum mit violetten Blütenstauden — Purple Loosestrife, or Lythrum, is beloved by insects but can be a nuisance for hobby gardeners

With its purple, white, or pink flowers, the plant can be recognized from afar. But be careful: keep your hands off the Russian viper’s bugloss! Because Lythrum, as the plant is botanically called, has a lot going for it. Although many growers and gardeners love this easy-care plant, it can cause problems in the garden as soon as water comes into play. Lythrum quickly gets out of control in the garden pond. Other plants are quickly crowded out by this aggressive plant. In the United States, this has become a significant ecological concern. Scientists warn: Lythrum develops around two million seeds per plant.

4. Garden foxtail (Amaranthus)

Pflanzen nicht im Garten: Amarant mit roten Blütendolden — A real feast for the eyes: Amaranth with deep red flower umbels

This plant has many names: Thousand-eyed beauty, garden foxtail, or simply amaranth. Amaranth can grow somewhat shaggy in the bed or overhanging from a balcony box. Anyone can quickly get this under control. However, not everyone can control the countless pollens of this plant. Allergy sufferers and asthmatics should avoid the garden foxtail due to its high pollen count.

5. Spurge (Euphorbia)

So schön die Pflanze ist, der Pflanzensaft (Wolfsmilch) reizt Mund, Nase und Augen — As beautiful as the plant is, the sap (spurge) irritates the mouth, nose and eyes

There are around 2000 species of the deciduous Euphorbia worldwide. In Germany, the plant is also known as “Wolfsmilch.” With its delicate flowers and green leaves, this plant is popular in many places. However, spurge quickly causes problems for allergy sufferers in the garden, as the sap of the plant irritates the skin and can hurt the eyes. In addition, all parts of the spurge plant are poisonous. While the plant serves as an effective ground cover in garden beds, caution is advised: spurge has a tendency to spread rapidly and can overtake other plants.

6. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Wermut (Artemisia absinthium) gilt als Heilpflanze, kann im Garten jedoch zum Problem werden — Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is considered a medicinal plant, but can become a problem in the garden

The herbaceous wormwood plant grows mainly on dry soils, but it is persistent. The plant has an adaptive mechanism: it disperses pollen through the wind. This plant may pose a risk to sensitive individuals, allergy sufferers, and asthmatics and is deemed one of the problem plants.

7. Laburnum (Laburnum)

Auch wenn Goldregen den Garten optisch bereichert, die Pflanze ist giftig und sollte nicht verzehrt werden — Although laburnum enhances the appearance of the garden, the plant is poisonous and should not be eaten

Laburnum makes quite an impression in the garden with its hanging yellow flowers. The shrub thrives in both sunny and semi-shaded areas. However, it is particularly advised that garden owners with young children refrain from cultivating this plant. Laburnum is extremely poisonous if the plant parts are eaten. As the Poison Control Center of the University Hospital Bonn (ukb) informs, you should always consult a doctor because, in the worst case, consumption can lead to death from respiratory paralysis.

Insects love it Planting and care tips for the common viper’s bugloss

The potato rose has many positive properties, but there are a few things you should know about this plant before you plant it

In the garden as well Why beach rose can become a problem

Popular kitchen herb Watch out! When parsley becomes poisonous

8. Bamboo (Bambusoideae)

Für etwas Sichtschutz im Garten ist Bambus ideal. Passt man nicht auf, kann aus dem Garten mit der Zeit ein Bambuswald werden — Bamboo is ideal as a privacy screen in the garden. If care is not taken, the garden can become a bamboo forest over time.

Bamboo can become a visual highlight in the garden, serving as a giant grass. For this, the plant needs sufficient water, some fertilizer in spring, and loose, humus-rich soil. If these conditions are met, bamboo grows and spreads magnificently. The challenge with bamboo is its lack of natural boundaries. The plant’s growth is extremely vigorous, potentially encroaching onto neighboring properties. To prevent bamboo from becoming a problem plant, it is important to place a root barrier before planting.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@petbook.de.