In Florida some popular ornamental plants have spread far beyond backyards, invading natural habitats and threatening native species: 8 garden plants that can become invasive in Florida, maki
Florida’s warm, humid climate is a gardener’s dream, but it also helps some ornamental plants grow far beyond where they were planted. Many were chosen for bright flowers, fast growth and toughness, and those same traits let them escape through seeds, runners and hungry birds into wetlands, forests and roadsides. There, they crowd out native species and cost a great deal to remove. According to the University of Florida’s IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, track such species. Here are eight garden plants flagged as invasive in Florida and why they are harder to control than homeowners expect.
