Invasive Plant Protection & Control

Invasive plants threaten native plant health and biodiversity in both agricultural and natural systems in Maryland. Many of these problematic plants are imported, bred, distributed, and promoted for sale in the landscape and nursery industries. 
 

On June 1, 2024, significant changes were made to the invasive plant law. As a result, the website is currently undergoing updates to reflect these changes. You can find more information about Senate Bill 915 regarding the invasive plant species regulation here.

Notice of additions to the Prohibited Invasive Plant List

On June 1, 2024, significant changes were made to the invasive plant law. In accordance with the new law, plants that were previously considered “Tier 2" were re-assessed using a new invasive plant species status assessment protocol. Re-assessment resulted in the addition of the following species and associated cultivars to the Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List: 

Aralia elata (Japanese angelica tree)

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry)

Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)

Euonymus alatus (Burning bush, Winged euonymus)

Ligustrum obtusifolium (Border privet)

Nandina domestica (Nandina, Sacred bamboo)

Phyllostachys aurea (Golden bamboo)

Phyllostachys aureosulcata (Yellow groove bamboo)

Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear)

Tetradium daniellii (Bee bee tree)

Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria)

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria)

Wisteria x formosa (floribunda x sinensis hybrid) 

Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List

Plants on the Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List may not be acquired or sold in-state after the regulations effective date. Existing stocks of prohibited plants have a phase-out period of 1 year for potted plants and 2 years for in-ground plants. Prohibited plants must not be in stock after the phase-out period ends. The updated Maryland Plant List including regulations effective date and phase-out periods is included below:  

List updated January 2026. Invasive Plant Status Assessment reports for individual species are available upon request (contact: [email protected])

Phase-out Period Exemption Request

Prohibited plants must not be in stock after the phase-out period ends. Licensed nurseries, brokers, or plant dealers may submit an exemption request to the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture for a 1-year extension to the phase-out period of their stock. Please cc the Invasive Plants Advisory Committee in your request (contact: [email protected]).

Cultivar Exemptions​ 

The following cultivars have been exempted from the Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List.

​List updated March 2, 2026. 

Cultivars of plants on the Prohibited Invasive Plants list that are sterile, unable to hybridize, are easily distinguishable from the prohibited plant, and have decreased impacts to the environment may be requested to be exempted from the Prohibited Invasive Plant List. For more information, and to submit a cultivar exemption request, please use the Cultivar Exemption Form​.  

Next Plants to be Assessed

The following species were chosen from the Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas Field Guide as the next species to be assessed starting in 2026.

The top ten plants are prioritized for assessment in 2026. Plants to be assessed in the future: ​