by LOURDES MEDEROS, UF/IFAS
Florida’s lush, subtropical climate supports gardening and outdoor living year-round. It also creates ideal conditions for invasive plants to spread.
Research shows that many property owners are often unaware of a plant’s invasive potential and rarely factor it into their buying decisions unless plants are labeled or restricted. That blind spot is the focus of a current episode of PBS South Florida’s Rooted in Florida series, “Invasive Plants in Florida You Should Know About.”
In the episode, experts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) offer practical guidance to help residents make more informed plant choices before heading to big-box stores or local nurseries.
Host and UF/IFAS Master Gardener volunteer Jeannie Schmiddle, joined by Kimberly Moore, environmental horticulture professor at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, discuss common invasive plants.
To expand on the episode, the experts have insights for gardeners on the root of the problem along with some actions you can take before buying.
“Often by mistake, shoppers see a plant they like at the store and assume it is fine for their garden,” said Moore. “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.”
Schmidle explains that gardeners are often attracted to plants for their visual appeal, whether it’s their color, beauty or unique form, and many, including herself, feel genuine joy when surrounded by thriving, vibrant gardens. She notes that this appreciation must be balanced with awareness, as some visually appealing plants can be harmful.
“It is important that we see ourselves not just as gardeners, but as environmental stewards,” she said. “As consumers, we hold significant power through the choices we make. When we select non-invasive and native or Florida-friendly plants, we can help protect biodiversity, support pollinators and wildlife, and create healthier, more sustainable landscapes.”
Moore and Schmidle recommend exploring the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants website for reliable, science-based information on non-native plant species.
“Have a plan before you go to buy,” said Moore. “If you don’t know how a plant will grow and what it will look like, visit a botanical garden and make a list of plants that you like. A little research goes a long way.”
By identifying the following eight invasive plants commonly found in retail garden centers and explaining why they should be avoided, experts encourage gardeners to make choices that protect Florida’s native ecosystems. Here are their top eight:
Moore — The Asparagus Fern, Asparagus aethiopicus (also A. densiflorus):
This Category I invasive, listed by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC), spreads quickly through seeds and underground tubers forming dense mats that outcompete native plants. They are difficult to eradicate, and once established, they cause severe displacement of native vegetation and long-term ecosystem changes. The berries they fruit are spread by birds, facilitating their invasion of hammocks and pinelands.
Schmidle — Lantana:
Lantanas are invasive and toxic. They can also displace native plants. Lantana leaves and berries are toxic for many animals, and leaves are highly flammable, which can contribute to the spread of wildfire in invaded areas.
Moore — Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, Epipremnum aureum:
This is widely sold as a houseplant but can escape when dumped or moved outdoors. It contains toxic elements that are toxic to pets and humans. In South Florida, it climbs trees, smothers native vegetation and forms dense vines that block light and stress or kill host trees. It is listed as a Category II invasive in Florida.
Schmidle — Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes:
A patch of Water Hyacinth can be beautiful to see. They do display a lush carpet of foliage boasting lavender flowers. However, they can block out critical sunlight that feeds biologically important aquatic grasses.
Moore — Madagascar Periwinkle, Vinca or Catharanthus roseus:
These seemingly delicately colorful plants frequently escape cultivation via seeds, especially in disturbed sites. It can persist and spread in natural areas, roadsides and urban interfaces. Known to compete with native groundcovers, they reduce plant diversity. Alkaloids make it toxic if ingested by pets or humans.
Schmidle — Wandering Dude, Tradescantia zebrina:
This easy beginner plant is highly aggressive, and if not properly contained, it spreads rapidly and potentially outcompetes native plants. It is also highly toxic to pets if ingested.
Moore — Water Snowflake or Snowflower, Nymphoides indica:
This Category I invasive escapes ponds and water gardens into lakes, canals and slow-moving waterways. It spreads rapidly by floating stems, fragments and seeds. Forms dense surface mats blocking sunlight to submerged native plants. Because it reduces oxygen levels in the water, it alters habitats for fish and invertebrates. Often misidentified or sold under benign-sounding names, increasing accidental spread.
Schmidle — Mimosa Tree or Persian silk tree, Albizia julibrissin
Mimosa trees are stunning, but don’t let the beauty deceive you. They produce an abundant number of seeds that germinate fast and are ready to spread into natural areas, displacing native trees and shrubs.
Provided by UF/IFAS