Gardening isn’t quite as black-and-white as some plant-lovers make it out to be. It can involve a lot of trial and error over multiple years to figure out what works for you: which plants thrive and which don’t, which exist together happily and which don’t. Not to mention what you actually enjoy growing, whether you’re working with a small yard or just a patio garden!
As a master gardener, I’ve spent decades digging in the dirt and have made my fair share of mistakes doing it. But I’ve also learned a lot, including which plants I’ll never add to my yard again. Even as someone with tons of experience, there are some plants that are just more trouble than they’re worth, and I’m here to save you from the headaches I’ve had along the way. Here are the four plants that are permanently banned from my yard — and why you should consider skipping them, too.
Credit: Jacquelyn McGilvray
Monkey Grass (aka Liriope or Turf Lily)
It was abundant in my yard when I bought the house, and after 20 years I’m still battling it. Yes, monkey grass can make a nice border or ground cover, and its little purple flowers and black berries are cute. But its tough-as-nails nature makes it hard to control, it spreads aggressively, and its roots are almost impossible to pull. Plus it grows so thick that weeds and yard debris always get caught in its clumps, and it looks so messy.
Credit: butterfly’s dream/Shutterstock
Yucca (aka Spanish Bayonet or Spanish Dagger)
A few years ago I planted a pair of these next to my house because I was drawn to their exotic look and dramatic stalks of white blooms. Big mistake! Once they matured, I discovered why they’re called bayonets and daggers — their spikes are like lethal weapons. Forget about weeding around them; and if anything gets caught in their spikes, good luck retrieving them without getting impaled. I finally removed the yuccas this spring, and it was a major chore that involved a chainsaw, a winch, and long-armed tongs.
Credit: crystaldream/Shutterstock
Hybrid Tea Roses
For some gardeners, growing roses is a passion. But in my book, they are finicky divas that I just don’t want to deal with. They’re prone to diseases and fungus like powdery mildew and spider mites, which means constant monitoring and a regular rotation of sprays and chemicals. Plus, pruning and deadheading are literally a pain because of the thorns. I replaced my roses with other sun-loving plants that are easier and less prickly.
Credit: Jacquelyn McGilvray
Cypress Vine (aka Cypressvine Morning Glory)
I love the soft, feathery foliage of the cypress vine and the scarlet star-shaped flowers that bloom for months, but oh boy is this vine an aggressive climber. In my yard, it started to overtake the neighboring tomato plants and trellises!
In cold climates, cypress vine may be an annual, but where I am in the Southeast this vine self-seeds, so every year it pops up in new places. I planted it to attract pollinators — it’s also known as hummingbird vine — but going forward, I’m sticking to more well-behaved pollinator favorites like agastache, bee balm, and salvia.
Further Reading
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How to Set Up a Dorm Room That Works Really Hard — and Looks Really Good (Partner)
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