A neighbor of mine has a lovely vine that trails beautifully and has tiny little red flowers that the hummingbirds are nuts over! What could go wrong?
She propagated and ended up with 82 small pots. It’s a very hardy plant! Neighbor said she heard this plant might be restricted for propagation.
I looked it up. Sure enough, Mezoo or Livingstone Daisy is a non-native plant from Africa that has been known to invade. It’s also probably Trademarked which can also cause restrictions in how the plant can be sold.
Container gardening has become a popular way for people to grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables in limited spaces. From patios to balconies, even small-scale gardeners can enjoy lush greenery. Some people, however, are tempted to use fast-growing invasive plants in containers because they’re hardy, attractive and often inexpensive. While this might seem harmless, the practice comes with serious ecological risks.
Invasive species are often vigorous growers. They tolerate poor soils, resist pests, and spread quickly. This makes them seem like ideal candidates for container gardening. Species like bamboo, English ivy, and Mezoo (a cultivar of Delosperma cooperi) are problematic due to the potential to escape gardens and harm native plants. Tradescantia zebrina or Wandering Jew or purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) can thrive in pots and create dramatic displays.
Even when confined to containers, invasive plants can cause problems:
• Escape risk: Seeds, runners, or fragments can spread into the surrounding environment through wind, birds, pets or improper disposal.
• Persistent growth: Many invasive species can regrow from tiny pieces of root or stem. Tossing soil or clippings into compost piles or yard waste can spread them. (Example: multi-flora rose is an aggressive, invasive species that forms dense, thorny thickets, outcompeting and replacing native plants, degrading habitats, reducing biodiversity, and creating difficult-to-remove barriers for people and animals.)
• Wildlife disruption: Invasives often outcompete native plants that pollinators, birds, and other wildlife rely on. (Example: Fruit of an Autumn Olive offers almost no nutritional value for birds. Birds will eat all they can and yet often starve.) A single escaped plant can alter local habitats.
• Legal concerns: Some states and municipalities regulate or ban planting invasives, even in containers.
Indiana designates 44 species of plants as invasive pests. The Terrestrial Plant Rule makes it illegal to sell, gift, barter, exchange, distribute, transport, or introduce these plants in the State of Indiana
If you like the qualities of invasive plants — fast growth, resilience or bold foliage — there are non-invasive alternatives.
Instead of bamboo, try native grasses like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) or river oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) or Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis).
Instead of English ivy, try native vines Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) or Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana) or crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) or Allegheny Spurge or (Pachysandra procumbens)
Instead of purple loosestrife, plant native wildflowers like bee balm (Monarda spp.) or blazing star (Liatris spp.). Or there are several sage plants: Blue Sage (Salvia azurea), Lyre-leaved Sage (Salvia lyrata), and Rocky Mountain Sage (Salvia reflexa)
These options provide beauty, wildlife benefits, and peace of mind.
If you already grow invasives in containers, you can still reduce the risks:
• Place pots on hard surfaces, not bare soil.
• Deadhead flowers before they set seed.
• Dispose of plant material in sealed bags, not compost piles.
• Regularly inspect containers for root escape or runners.
While invasive species may seem like tough and easy plants for container gardening, their risks far outweigh the rewards. By choosing native or non-invasive alternatives, you can create a thriving, sustainable garden that supports local ecosystems. Gardening is most rewarding when it nurtures not just our homes, but the wider natural world around us.
Cecilie Keenan is an avid gardener and naturalist in Noble County and the author of The Noble Gardener. Contact her at keenancd@aol.com for information on gardening topics.
Comments are closed.