Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant Law and Regulations

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. 

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 are assessed using a new invasive plant species status assessment protocol. Assessments resulted in the addition of the following species and associated cultivars to the Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List on July 15, 2026:

• Akebia quinata (Chocolate vine)
• Berberis bealei / Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf mahonia)
• Cenchrus alopecuroides / Cenchrus purpurascens / Pennisetum alopecuroides (Chinese fountain grass)
• Hedera helix (English ivy)
• Hedera hibernica (Atlantic ivy)
• Hemerocallis fulva (Orange daylily, Ditch lily)
• Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese silvergrass)

Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List

Plants on the Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List may not be added to stock after the effective date and should not be sold after their phase-out period ends. 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])

Exemptions

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 in 2026-2027.

The top ten plants are prioritized for assessment: ​

Related Information

• Maryland Invasive Plant Advisory Committee