One expert warns that some plants that seem beautiful and harmless could actually cause serious damage to your home and garden
Isobel Pankhurst Audience Writer
12:47, 03 Oct 2025
There are four garden plants that can cost you thousand in repairs if left to grow(Image: Getty)
Whilst a verdant garden can enhance your home’s appeal, certain plants may actually prove detrimental to your property if allowed to flourish unchecked.
From fractured brickwork to compromised drainage systems, some seemingly attractive flora can trigger substantial issues that strike where it matters most: your finances and property valuation.
Kevin Barzegar, a property specialist at Kaybridge Residential, has revealed four particular plants that can adversely affect property transactions and upkeep expenses.
He elaborates: “I’ve seen properties lose thousands in value because of problematic plants. What starts as an innocent garden feature can turn into a nightmare that’s expensive to fix and puts off potential buyers.”
Ivy has been dubbed a “wall destroyer” by the expert(Image: Getty)English Ivy
Whilst English Ivy undoubtedly appears charming, it is one plant that can prove catastrophic for your property. Kevin labels it “the wall destroyer.”
This climbing specimen adheres to walls using minuscule roots that penetrate mortar and brickwork, resulting in fractures and deterioration.
Beyond causing structural harm to brickwork, ivy captures moisture against walls, resulting in dampness issues and providing refuge for unwanted creatures. This vegetation requires professional removal, as attempting to strip it from the walls yourself may cause additional harm.
Bamboo
Bamboo excels at establishing privacy barriers, yet this plant possesses one of the most invasive root networks imaginable. Once established, bamboo proves extraordinarily challenging to manage, with its roots capable of regenerating from the tiniest remnants.
Kevin said: “I’ve seen bamboo roots travel several meters from where they were planted. They push through paving, damage structures, and can crack foundations.”
Japanese knotweed can cost thousands to treat(Image: Getty)Japanese Knotweed
The invasive Japanese Knotweed is any homeowner’s worst nightmare. Kevin said: “Japanese Knotweed can make your property virtually unsellable. I’ve seen sales collapse and homes drop in value significantly because of it.”
Knotweed can surge upwards by 10cm daily, boasting resilient roots that exploit weaknesses in paving, brickwork, and foundations. Allowing this menace to flourish could also result in legal complications under the UK’s Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
This legislation makes it a criminal offence to permit knotweed to spread into natural habitats, and should it creep onto neighbouring land, you could face civil litigation and expensive eradication costs. Tackling Japanese knotweed can span several years with expenses ranging from £900 to £20,000 depending on the extent of the infestation.
Willow Trees
Whilst willow trees can provide stunning garden features, they must never be positioned too near your home as their root systems actively hunt for moisture, making a beeline for drainage systems and pipework.
Kevin said: “Willow roots can extend up to three times the height of the tree. A 10-meter willow could have roots spreading 30 meters, easily reaching underground pipes.”
Destruction wrought by willow trees includes fractured pipework, obstructed drainage, and soil displacement impacting structural foundations, with remedial expenses frequently reaching thousands of pounds.
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