Houston Invasive Species: What Homeowners Need to Know

🚨 National Invasive Species Awareness Week is here! Many homeowners unknowingly plant or spread invasive species that damage local landscapes and harm native ecosystems.

Texas is home to beautiful native plants and trees, but invasive species can quickly take over, choking out beneficial plants, increasing fire risks, and even threatening our economy by damaging agriculture and forests.

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What Makes a Species Invasive?

An invasive species is:
✅ Non-native to the local ecosystem
✅ Spreads aggressively, outcompeting native plants
✅ Lacks natural predators, making it hard to control
✅ Harms the environment, economy, or human health

Common Invasive Plants & Trees in Houston & Sugar Land

🌳 Chinese Tallow Tree (Triadica sebifera)

• Nicknamed the "Popcorn Tree" due to its white seeds

• Spreads aggressively, outcompeting native trees

• Produces toxins that prevent other plants from growing

• Difficult to remove due to its deep roots

🌿 Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

• A fast-growing vine that smothers native plants

• Spreads through runners and birds eating its berries

• Very difficult to remove once established

🚫 Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

• Commonly used as a hedge, but spreads aggressively

• Produces thousands of berries, which birds spread

• Forms dense thickets, making it hard for native plants to survive

🍃 Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta)

• Takes over wetlands and native marshlands

• Large leaves shade out native aquatic plants

• Spreads through underground rhizomes

🔥 Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)

• One of the most flammable invasive grasses

• Grows in dense patches, preventing native plant growth

• Highly aggressive, spreading through underground rhizomes

🐞 Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

• Kills ash trees by burrowing into their bark

• Spread through firewood and infested wood products

• Has already devastated forests across the U.S.

More Invasive Species in Texas

🌲 Chinaberry Tree (Melia azedarach)

• Spreads aggressively via birds eating its berries

• Toxic to livestock & pets

• Competes with native oaks and pecans

🌾 Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

• Common in ditches and riverbanks

• Consumes excessive water, worsening drought conditions

• Forms dense stands that push out native plants

🌿 Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum)

• Climbs over trees, fences, and buildings

• Highly flammable, increasing wildfire risks

• Spreads quickly through wind-blown spores

🌳 Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

• Known as the "Stinking Tree" due to its bad smell

• Produces chemicals that kill surrounding plants

• Grows extremely fast, making it difficult to remove

🐜 Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta)

• Aggressive stinging ant that harms people & pets

• Damages crops & electrical equipment

• Spreads through soil, sod, and potted plants

How Invasive Species Spread

🚛 Moving firewood & packing materials
🌳 Planting non-native trees & ornamentals
🐜 Accidentally transporting insects

How Can Homeowners Help?

🔥 Burn firewood where you buy it
🌱 Choose native plants for your yard
🌳 Diversify trees to maintain balance

By taking small steps, homeowners in Houston & Sugar Land can protect their landscapes and support native ecosystems! 🌿

📌 Written by Todd Farber, Aggie Horticulturist & Expert Houston Landscaper
🌱 Garden Guy | Houston & Sugar Land’s Trusted Landscaping Pro!

Protect your Houston & Sugar Land landscape! Learn about invasive plants, trees, and insects that harm Texas ecosystems—and how to stop them. #HoustonGardening

Reach out to me here with any garden questions!