They may look beautiful around the home, but there are real risks that some trees, shrubs, or climbers pose when planted too close to houses. The focus on aesthetics rather than practicality can lead to poor decisions, and the unfortunate truth is that many homeowners may not realize the dangers that plants can pose to their property.
Plants can have naturally destructive tendencies, and they can damage homes without you even noticing. There are types of plants that you commonly see planted close to properties that cause damage to walls, roofs, gutters, pipes, and even building foundations.
To help you avoid stress and future issues, we highlight five plants that damage homes. It means you can look for trees, shrubs or climbing plants to cover a wall without fear of problems down the line. We look at those to avoid and the best alternatives that offer beauty without the destruction.
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Plants that damage homes
You may know some trees to avoid planting close to a house, but what about climbers that can damage your home, too?
We have both in this guide to plants that damage homes, as experts reveal the potential problems and the smarter planting choices that will save you a headache.
1. Weeping willow
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Let’s kick things off with a tree that, while stunning in the right location, can cause lots of damage to a property when planted in the wrong location. A weeping willow is problematic thanks to its extensive root system, which spreads far and wide in search of water.
Weeping willows are invasive plants in many parts of the US, as they can outcompete native species, and are known for being fast-growing trees that cause a myriad of issues to homes.
As their damage is done out of view, they can be destructive without you knowing, until the worst happens and you are faced with a large bill to cover the damage and repairs to your property.
Sam Niemann, founder of Grown by Design, a boutique landscape design firm based in Chicago, says: ‘Although stunning in the landscape, these trees have aggressive root systems that can wreak havoc on pipes, foundations, septic systems, and other below-ground infrastructure.’
It is recommended that you plant a weeping willow at least 50 feet away from your home. They are beautiful and do make great trees for shade, but only when planted a good distance away to avoid damaging homes or underground pipes. All things considered, they do have a place, but weeping willows are definitely not a tree to plant close to a house.
If you want a native tree to provide shade, without the issues of a weeping willow, a Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) does this, while also providing fantastic color in the fall.
You can get a Wildlife Black Gum at Fast Growing Trees that has even has distinctive bright colors year-round and doesn’t have destructive roots.
Sam Niemann
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Landscaping Expert
Sam Niemann is the founder of Bleume, a houseplant fertilizer brand, and Grown by Design, a boutique landscape design firm based in Chicago. A lifelong gardener, Sam combines deep horticultural knowledge with a passion for helping others cultivate beautiful, thriving gardens.
2. Wisteria
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Wisteria has been grown on properties for centuries, and one mention of wisteria can conjure images of classic English properties adorned with the spectacular purple blooms. However, this popular flowering climbing plant has a dark secret, as its aggressive vines are capable of huge damage when left unchecked.
Sam Niemann warns of this ‘destructive plant’ being ‘so vigorous’ it damages the walls it is growing on. He adds: ‘Over time, the vines become so large that they will take over entire houses.’
They are climbing plants that can damage homes as their thick stems widen gaps in the mortar on walls, creating points where water can access and cause frost damage. The stems also damage guttering and roof tiles if left to grow, which is why regular wisteria pruning is essential to keep the climber controlled.
Wisteria roots are also aggressive when planted too close to a property, and can cause problems for drains and sewer pipes.
Two of the most common types of wisteria, Chinese wisteria and Japanese wisteria, are considered invasive in the US, and there are native alternatives to invasive wisteria to consider.
‘Instead of Wisteria vines, I recommend vining plants that stay a little smaller,’ says Sam. ‘Clematis vines will grow in much of the same areas as Wisteria, and their smaller nature keeps them a more manageable size in the garden.’
You can get a live container-grown Jackmani Clematis Vine at Amazon for a vigorous, yet compact flowering vine with fabulous purple blooms.
3. Ficus trees
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Ficus trees are attractive evergreen or deciduous trees grown for foliage, shade, or fruit.
Ficus trees have been popular ornamental additions for years, and can bring a Mediterranean garden vibe to any space; however, their beauty hides a sinister truth. And that is, they have destructive roots, which have led to some homeowner’s associations banning ficus trees.
Matthew Rowlings, founder of Tropical Tree Guide, says of ficus trees: ‘Their root systems are notorious for cracking pipes, buckling pavements, and damaging infrastructure.’
That troublesome root system can spread over 20 feet from the tree’s trunk, and these lateral roots grow close to the surface. They can damage drains, sewers, or swimming pools, lift patios, driveways, or sidewalks, and even affect the foundations of homes.
There are good reasons to grow fig trees, and there is a wide selection of fig trees available, but beware their spreading roots and give them lots of space, well away from your home.
Alternatively, fig trees are one of the best fruit trees to grow in pots. You can get a Little Miss Figgy fig tree at Fast Growing Trees, which is a compact variety ideal for pots.
Matthew Rowlings
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Founder of Tropical Tree Guide
Matthew Rowlings is the founder of Tropical Tree Guide, an edible landscaping business based in Florida. He has more than 9 years of hands-on experience with growing, propagating and grafting 20+ types of tropical fruit trees & tropical ornamental trees on his suburban lot. He has a degree in Biology from the University of Florida and is an active Florida Master Gardener.
4. English ivy
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English ivy is another climbing plant that has adorned houses for hundreds of years, but it has quite a reputation for itself as a plant that can damage property. So, exactly what damage does it cause, and how bad is it?
The truth is that it can cause issues, and experts don’t advise it. Louise Senior and Peter Wagner, Master Gardeners and staff horticulturalists at Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton, NJ, claim English ivy ‘can damage mortar and paint’ and ‘should not be allowed’ to grow on houses.
While Matthew Rowlings says of English Ivy: ‘While very beautiful, it can also trap moisture against walls and exploit weak mortar, leading to long-term problems.’
The issue with English ivy is from its aerial roots, which grow into cracks or joints in masonry and enlarge them, creating structural defects and allowing moisture in. The climber can also cause damage to windows, gutters, and roof tiles.
However, English ivy is mostly an issue on older homes. Newer homes or walls without cracks won’t suffer from damage, and the ivy can be controlled by pruning to steer clear of gutters or roofs.
A problem with growing ivy on any home is that a wall covered in the climber hides any cracks, damp, or structural issues underneath, which risks them getting worse over time if not identified.
Instead of English ivy, why not grow a native trumpet honeysuckle with fragrant red blooms that are popular with hummingbirds and other pollinators? You can get coral trumpet honeysuckle live plants at Amazon.
5. Trumpet creeper
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Trumpet creeper, also known as trumpet vine, is another fast-growing climbing plant to be aware of.
To its credit, there are great reasons to grow a trumpet vine. Primarily, it produces a fantastic display of bright flowers in summer that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
However, if you do want to attract hummingbirds, make a trumpet creeper a plant to grow up a pergola, fence, or arch, rather than grow the climbing plant up a house.
The dangers of having a trumpet creeper scaling your home are that its tiny roots attach and penetrate every surface possible. They can damage walls, getting into cracks and weakening joints, and penetrate cladding, gutters and downspouts.
Instead of trumpet vine, you could consider growing star jasmine – like this Confederate Jasmine Live Plant at Amazon – in US hardiness zones 7-10 for evergreen foliage and sweet, fragrant, white flowers.
Another fast-growing and very aggressive plant to keep away from your home is bamboo. There are clumping and running types, and, if you do want to grow bamboo, the former is easier to manage. Running types of bamboo spread very quickly and, as well as spreading through your flower beds and even into your neighbor’s yard, can damage patios, drains, and even the foundations of a property.
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