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A good location, the right floor plan, and finishes you actually like—these are the things that get you excited about a new home. But with so many things to consider, it's easy to overlook the landscaping. But do so at your own peril: savvy house hunters know that garden maintenance and upkeep can be a costly part of homeownership. And if the yard in front or behind your prospective house has certain plants, you may regret not doing a closer inspection. “Not every plant is ideally suited for every yard,” says Rafi Friedman, president of Coastal Luxury Outdoors. “Some will spread aggressively, die out due to a poor fit for the climate, present health hazards to children or pets, or require frequent maintenance to thrive.” small flag pole
Purchasing a home with invasive plants can ultimately cost you dearly. “An invasive tree might need to be cut and poisoned multiple times. It can run up to the high hundreds or low thousands of dollars,” says Tom Smith, owner at Desert Designer Landscape and Development, a residential landscape design company in Tempe, Arizona. “Roots from invasive plants can lift sidewalks, and walls, and even crack masonry. They can get into the foundation. Depending on where it is planted, an invasive plant can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage, deepening the damage to whatever part of your home the plant destroys."
To help you avoid future landscaping disasters, we asked gardening and real estate experts for the red flags you should consider before purchasing a home.
One plant every prospective homeowner should be wary of is Kudzu. “The most aggressive weed on the planet is Kudzu,” says Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery in Tennessee. “It grows up to 18" per day. You need professional help getting rid of it. This is a deal breaker for knowledgable homeowners.”
People love bamboo for it's height and ability to fill in bare spots in a properties landscape, but it is invasive and difficult to control. “Running bamboo can spread aggressively, potentially causing damage to the landscape and nearby structures,” says Bret Douglas, a member of the Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board and owner of Ironclad Landscape Management. “Opting for clumping bamboo makes it easier to maintain and provides a similar aesthetic without the invasive growth. For an attractive, manageable alternative, consider plants like star jasmine or mandevilla, which offer beauty without the risk of overtaking your yard.”
Not only can Japanese Knotweed wreak havoc on your garden, but it can also be extremely difficult to fully eradicate. “Japanese Knotweed is another invasive species that can outcompete other plants, killing the rest of your garden. If that alone doesn't scare you, these plants are known to be harder to remove than other invasive species,” says Matt Slaymaker, Product Manager with Lively Root. “This plant has underground root storages called rhizomes that, if missed when removing, can remain in the soil and continue to grow, requiring a second removal process (not to mention possibly even a third or fourth).”
Bermuda grass has often been used as turf grass in warmer climates, explains Scott Seargeant, International Consulting Arborist and owner of Seargeant Landscape & Arboriculture, but that's a mistake. “It is extremely invasive and must have a border around it to keep it in check. And it often breaches its borders,” he says. “It must be mowed weekly to keep the seed from producing and blowing into your flowerbeds. Most eradication is with systemic herbicides.”
This one's a bit of a heartbreaker: This fragrant (and delicious) herb may be wonderful in recipes and drinks, but it can quickly become a pain to manage. “Mint is a great herb to grow, but if you see some growing in the ground instead of in pots, run,” says Friedman. “This stuff spreads incredibly aggressively and will choke out the rest of your herb garden, not to mention your lawn if you let it.”
Sissoo trees look like Ficus trees with similar leaves and shapes, says Smith. “This tree grows incredibly fast, which means its roots grow incredibly fast. These roots tend to get under masonry and lift it right up."
The spiky seeds on sweet gum trees can be a hazard. “Sweet gum trees are beautiful and common in landscaping, but when it’s time for them to drop their seed balls, watch out,” says Slaymaker. “These seed bundles harden and become sharp objects that should be avoided by feet, bicycle tires, and your pup who loves to eat everything.”
English Ivy can climb–which may cause serious problems in your yard. “English Ivy is often used in landscapes and gardens but can quickly spread and threaten everything around it,” says Slaymaker. “This plant, if not managed, can take over and kill many other plants, even large trees. The Virginia Creeper is a good option that can cover an area and climb trees without presenting a threat.”
This scaly bark tree comes with potential root problems. “This tree grows fast, and the roots grow strong,” says Smith. “You can cut this tree down and the roots will keep growing around your house for years.”
While the Blue Cape Plumago adds a pop of vibrant blue to any garden, it can grow exponentially. “Be cautious when using large-scale plants like Blue Cape Plumbago, which can grow up to 10 feet by 10 feet,” says Douglas. “For a similar color but more manageable size, consider using a smaller alternative, such as Blue Daze. This compact plant serves as a lower-growing ground cover.”
Ash trees grow tall and create a lovely canopy, but they also have lots of issues. “These were a popular choice to plant several decades ago, but they're quickly being killed off across much of the United States by the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle,” says Friedman. “Especially if you live east of the Mississippi, buying a house with an ash tree means buying a call to an arborist to take it down sometime soon.”
The pink petals of this plant’s flower will add a pop of color, but they may drown out other plants. “Don’t plant it unless you want only primrose in your garden,” says Smith. “This plant has lovely flowers but will take over every inch of your garden. You can plant Lantana or a Verbena plant instead."
While lilies produce the most gorgeous blooms, they are also toxic. “Lilies are beautiful and easy to grow, but they can be dangerous to pets, especially cats,” says Friedman. “If you have outside pets, you'll want to avoid homes with lilies or pull them after you move in.”
This tree may produce delicious walnuts, but may also come with lots of headaches. “Eastern Black Walnut Tree is a beautiful shade tree with a very unique dark side–its root system produces a natural herbicide that hinders the growth of other plants surrounding it,” says Slaymaker. “Their roots can even grow outwards to 50 feet, causing a large area of unplantable space.”
This wispy plant grows quickly, but it can also irritate your skin. “Mexican feather grass is a popular drought-tolerant grass used in many landscapes today. It spreads rather quickly and also can cause mild itchy dermatitis if rubbed up against,” says Sergeant.
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