Nuisance Plants:

 The Difference Between Annoying and Harmful

by Kathy Doss

Gardeners often use the terms invasive plant and nuisance plant interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. Invasive plants are non-native species and true troublemakers. Many lack natural predators in our environment, allowing them to grow unchecked. They spread rapidly, out-competing native plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Think of kudzu: it is non-native and grows over native trees, shrubs, and other plants, smothering them completely.

Nuisance plants, on the other hand, are more like annoying neighbors. They might belong here but are still a headache. These plants spread easily in places where you don’t want them, such as violets or dandelions in your flowerbeds. While nuisance plants can be frustrating to manage, they typically don’t pose a widespread environmental threat.

In short, all invasive plants are nuisances, but not all nuisance plants are invasive. Understanding the difference helps you decide whether to manage them or completely eradicate them.

Managing nuisance plants is similar to mowing your lawn. It requires routine maintenance to keep things under control. Sure, they’ll come back, but with consistent effort, they’re manageable.

Getting rid of invasive plants, however, is more like dealing with termites. It requires targeted, strategic effort to eradicate them. Leaving even a small piece behind is detrimental to the environment (or, in the case of termites, your house).

I recently volunteered at Beaman Park’s Weed Wrangle event. The park is working to combat an invasion of Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle. Like many invasive plants, these species were introduced as ornamental plants in the 19th century. They’ve since escaped from yards and spread, overtaking many of our woods and meadows.

A Chinese privet hedge was once prized as the hallmark of a well-kept yard. However, the plant has become a rampant invader.

This aggressive plant can grow close to the ground or reach the size of a small tree. In spring, it produces tiny white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by berries in the fall that birds eat. Unfortunately, both the nectar and the berries offer little nutritional value, potentially leaving birds and pollinators malnourished. The berries are also poisonous to mammals, and the tough, toxic leaves are inedible to insects and animals. As it spreads, privet smothers oak saplings and native shrubs like spicebush. These native plants provide the essential nutrition birds and pollinators need to thrive.

Introduced in 1806 as a fragrant ornamental vine, Japanese honeysuckle quickly became a problem.

Its aggressive growth forms dense mats that climb over trees and shrubs, blocking sunlight and harming native vegetation. Unlike native ground covers, its shallow roots fail to stabilize soil, increasing erosion in the areas it dominates.

Unfortunately, many invasive species are still sold in the U.S. You can support wildlife by thoroughly researching plants before purchasing them. Whenever possible, opt for native plants that benefit local ecosystems. Regularly check your property for invasive plants and take action to remove them completely. If you have time, consider volunteering at a local park to help eliminate invasive plants. Beaman Park is hosting a volunteer event on March 1, and would greatly appreciate your help. To register for the Weed Wrangle email beamanpark@Nashville.gov. Your efforts will make a lasting difference for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. 

Join the UTHort team for FREE weekly lunch-and-learn webinars on Tuesdays in May as part of the Small Space Food Production series. They have a fantastic team of speakers slated for the event with topics ranging from growing in raised beds and containers, as well as which specific fruits, veggies, and herbs grow best in containers! Register here.

With warm days on the horizon, your thoughts may be turning to spring cleaning. Make sure to follow these good practices to reduce runoff polution to our waterways.

The 2025 Tennessee Home Fruit and Vegetable Garden calendar has been released! Click here to download the digital edition.