These are the plants some gardeners regret planting in their landscape.

An aggressive plant is a species that spreads rapidly by seed, stems, rhizomes, roots, or other means and can quickly dominate an area, often crowding out desirable plants. While many are non-native, several native plants can be aggressive spreaders under certain conditions, such as in disturbed soils. While not all aggressive plants are invasive, they can become difficult to manage in landscapes and gardens.

Lily of the Valley in bloom — Aggressive plants, like lily-of-the-valley, spread readily in the garden, making them difficult to manage. ⁽¹⁾

How They Spread

Many of the plants that are considered invasive or aggressive spread by underground stems called rhizomes. This enables them to invade new territory quite rapidly. This method of propagation makes it difficult to keep the plants in bounds. Cultivation doesn't always reduce the plant population and, with many plants, can make it worse.

Another way in which plants can become a weed problem is by self-seeding. Fortunately, many seedlings can easily be controlled by hoeing or pulling them out. Deadheading immediately after bloom also reduces seed set, reducing the capacity to self-seed.

What to Do

Gardeners do not need to avoid planting species that spread rapidly; however, they should be aware of their growth habits before planting and take measures to prevent them from becoming weeds. When these plants are introduced to the landscape without consideration of their spread, they frequently become the plants you wish you had never planted!

Below are some garden species with aggressive growth habits, along with tips to keep them in the desired location.

Goutweed

Bishop's Goutweed, sometimes called Snow on the Mountain (Aegopodium podagraria `variegatum'), grows 8 to 10 inches tall with leaves that are light green with white margins. It is used as a ground cover in sunny or shady locations. Plant it where it can be restricted, such as between a sidewalk and the house, or use a deep edging to prevent it from moving into turf areas. Rogue out any crowns that have reverted back to all-green leaves. The green ones spread especially fast.

Bugleweed

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) grows only 6" to 9" to form a dense, mat-like growth. Its spreading characteristic makes it a natural and beautiful ground cover. It prefers a shady location; however, it will tolerate some sun. Plant bugleweed in areas where cover is needed, such as on a bank or in shady areas. It should not be used as edging near grassy areas because it tends to move easily and quickly into these areas.

Garlic Chives

Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) grow 12 to 24 inches tall and produce attractive white flower clusters in late summer. They are often grown as a culinary herb and ornamental perennial. Garlic chives spread readily by seed and can form dense colonies if flower heads are allowed to mature. Plant them in herb gardens or contained beds and remove spent flowers to limit unwanted spread.

Roman Wormwood

Roman Wormwood (Artemisia pontica) is a dense plant growing 18" tall with silvery foliage. It can be invasive, particularly when grown in sandy, loose soils. It should be restricted to sunny, expansive areas where a fast-growing ground cover is needed.

Creeping Bellflower

Creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) grows 2 to 4 feet tall and produces attractive blue-purple bell-shaped flowers in summer. While often planted as an ornamental, it spreads aggressively by both seed and deep creeping roots. Plant it only where spread can be tolerated, as established infestations are difficult to eradicate.

Lily-of-the-Valley

Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) is an easy plant to grow. The 6-18" plants produce a raceme of white, bell-shaped, fragrant flowers in mid-spring. It needs room to spread, so it should not be placed in the perennial border. It can be useful as a ground cover beneath shade trees and other shady areas where the aggressive spread is desired. It should be grown in full or partial shade.

Orange Daylily

Orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva), often called ditch lily, grows 2 to 4 feet tall and produces bright orange flowers in early summer. It spreads rapidly by underground tubers and forms dense colonies that can crowd out nearby plants. Avoid planting it near prairies, woodlands, or smaller garden beds. Rather than growing this rapidly spreading daylily, grow the many hybrids and cultivars available at garden centers as these selections are tyipcally clump forming.

Chameleon Plant

Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata) is a low-growing ground cover, typically 6 to 12 inches tall, with colorful, variegated foliage. It thrives in moist soils and partial shade but spreads aggressively by underground rhizomes. Plant it only in contained areas or where barriers can prevent its spread into lawns, gardens, and neighboring planting beds. Immediately remove all green-leaved plants when noticed, as the green ones can be especially aggressive spreaders.

Gooseneck Loosestrife

Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides) is a unique plant that grows 2 to 3' tall and produces racemes of white flowers that curve, creating a "gooseneck" appearance. Gardeners should be prepared to lift sections of the plant each year to retard its spread. If not kept in bounds, it will soon appear everywhere in the garden. It prefers a partial sun location but will grow in full sun.

Hollyhock Mallow

Hollyhock Mallow (Malva alcea) grows 3 to 4' tall with large pink flowers borne on long-blooming spikes. Its self-seeding habit creates a quick spreading perennial, which can be a problem in a small garden.

Mint

Many mints (Mentha sp.), such as spearmint and catmint, can become a weed problem in just a few years. It is a good idea to plant mint in a container and submerge the container in the garden. This will prevent the plant from becoming a weed in your garden.

Beebalm

Beebalm (Monarda didyma) grows 2-3' tall. It produces scarlet-red tubular flowers in whorls, creating a dense head. It may require dividing every three years to prevent its rapid spread. It is desirable in a garden because the flowers attract bees and hummingbirds. It grows well in full sun and will spread faster in a shady area.

Ribbon Grass

Ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea var. picta ‘Picta’) is a variegated ornamental grass grown for its arching green-and-white striped foliage. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, including wet sites and shallow water. While attractive and adaptable, ribbon grass spreads aggressively by underground rhizomes, making it difficult to control and potentially invasive in landscape beds and natural areas.

Pink Evening Primrose

Pink evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa) grows 12 to 24 inches tall and produces showy pink flowers from late spring into summer. It is often planted for its long bloom period and drought tolerance. However, it spreads aggressively by underground roots and self-seeding, allowing it to form large colonies. Plant pink evening primrose in naturalized areas where spread is acceptable and avoid placing it in small perennial beds.

Obedient Plant

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) grows 2 to 4 feet tall and produces spikes of pink, purple, or white flowers in late summer. Unlike what its name might suggest, it is not particularly obedient in where it grows in the garden. Although native to North America, it spreads vigorously by underground stems and can quickly overtake perennial borders, especially in wet conditions. Plant obedient plant where it has room to spread or divide clumps regularly to keep growth in check.

Siberian Squill

Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) is a spring-flowering bulb that grows 4 to 8 inches tall and produces bright blue, nodding flowers in early spring. It is often planted in lawns, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas because it blooms early and tolerates a wide range of growing conditions. However, Siberian squill spreads readily by seed and bulb offsets, allowing it to form dense colonies that can displace other spring-flowering plants. Plant Siberian squill only in areas where naturalization is desired and avoid using it near natural areas where it may spread beyond the intended planting site.

Lamb's Ear

Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) grows only 12" tall with silvery-white foliage that has a velvet-like texture. It is used as a border or ground cover. Although it will invade turfgrass and other garden areas, it can easily be controlled by removing stray plants.

Spiderwort

Spiderwort (Tradescantia spp.) grows 1 to 3 feet tall and produces clusters of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers in late spring and early summer. This adaptable perennial performs well in sun or partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Spiderwort spreads by clump expansion and self-seeding, allowing it to gradually colonize garden spaces. Plant it where it has room to spread and divide established clumps periodically to maintain the desired plant size.

Periwinkle

Periwinkle, also called vinca (Vinca minor), is a trailing evergreen ground cover that typically grows 4 to 6 inches tall. It is valued for its glossy green foliage and blue-violet flowers that appear in spring. Periwinkle spreads rapidly by above-ground stems that root wherever they contact the soil, forming dense mats that can crowd out other vegetation. Use periwinkle only in locations where a vigorous ground cover is desired and where its spread can be easily monitored and contained.

More Information

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Authors:

Aaron Steil

Linda Naeve

Last reviewed:

July 2026

Aggressive Plants in the Landscape