Most of the plants used in gardens and landscaping do not invade or harm wildland areas. But a few vigorous species can - and do - escape from cultivation into open landscapes and cause a variety of ecological problems. They crowd out native plants, insects and animals, and can lead to increased flooding, fire and crop losses.
A few simple steps can prevent invasions before they start. We can be an environmentally responsible community - one that supports horticultural businesses and beautiful gardens!
California is a large and ecologically diverse state. We have everything from vast mountain ranges to rich agricultural valleys to our beautiful coastline. Each type of environment is home to different plants and animals - so what is invasive in one area may not be a problem in another. Some iceplants, for example, are extremely invasive along the coast but unable to invade wild areas in the Sierra or desert regions.
PlantRight was designed to be mindful of differences in major ecological zones, and each plant was carefully analyzed to reflect our best understanding of its invasiveness in each of five major regions of California.
Click on the color corresponding to where you live in California to view the horticultural plants that are invasive in your region. To download a printable list of all the invasive plants and their suggestion alternatives, click here.
A plant's invasiveness is largely a matter of location and climate. California's regions are organized on this site according to Sunset® Western Gardening Zones. You can select your region using the map on the left, or by clicking on your zone below: