ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s year‑round growing season makes it a haven for gardeners — and for invasive plants that spread quickly when introduced into the landscape.
Experts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) say many residents buy plants based on appearance alone, not realizing some can damage ecosystems, threaten wildlife, or escape into natural areas.
UF/IFAS Master Gardener volunteer Jeannie Schmidle and Kimberly Moore, an environmental horticulture professor at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, walk us through common invasive plants and how to avoid them.
“Often by mistake, shoppers see a plant they like at the store and assume it is fine for their garden,” Moore said. “It is not the fault of the stores. They buy and sell what people want. Plus, we often do not know that something new and fun could become invasive.”
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Schmidle said gardeners are naturally drawn to color, form, and beauty, but that enthusiasm should be paired with awareness.
Moore and Schmidle encourage residents to research plants before shopping and to use the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non‑Native Plants website for science‑based guidance.
“Have a plan before you go to buy,” Moore said. “A little research goes a long way.”
I know this struggle all too well. When my wife and I purchased our Central Florida home in 2004, a large part our backyard was covered in Pothos – and I do mean covered!
Over the years, we have spent thousands to have crews come and remove the invasive plant that has meandered and vined its way across the ground and up trees, fences, and any other surface it touches.
The most recent removal, as seen in the below photo, seems to have been the most successful, but it is nearly possible to completely remove it. I have been trying to remove any remaining vines that I see by hand and discard. The recent freezes also seem to have killed most of what was left – fingers crossed!
To help gardeners make informed choices, the experts identified eight invasive plants commonly found in retail garden centers:
Asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus): A Category I invasive that spreads by seeds and tubers, forming dense mats that displace native vegetation.
Lantana: Toxic to animals and capable of fueling wildfires; known to crowd out native species.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): A popular houseplant that becomes invasive outdoors, climbing trees and smothering vegetation.
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Forms thick floating mats that block sunlight from aquatic grasses.
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus): Escapes cultivation and reduces plant diversity in disturbed areas.
Wandering dude (Tradescantia zebrina): Spreads aggressively and is highly toxic to pets.
Water snowflake (Nymphoides indica): A Category I invasive that overtakes waterways, blocking light and reducing oxygen levels.
Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin): Produces abundant seeds that quickly spread into natural areas.
UF/IFAS experts say avoiding these species and choosing safer alternatives can help protect Florida’s native ecosystems while still allowing residents to enjoy vibrant, sustainable landscape
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