If you pride yourself on a beautiful garden then you probably already know which plants work best and which should be avoided. If you’re new to gardening then take heed, some plants can be more hassle than they’re worth. Having pets or children can mean that some plants are best left out of your garden altogether or at least kept in a container indoors. Here is a helpful guide to advise which plants can end up becoming a headache:
#1 Aloe Vera
This succulent is beloved by many and has a long history of being used for health purposes. It’s the perfect natural healing plant for skin conditions and burns for example. However, if you have pets running around in the yard, aloe vera can end up costing you in vet bills if your animal ingests any. The juice which lies just under the skin of the plant is toxic and could leave your much-loved pet with serious abdominal pain and upset. If you swear by the medicinal properties of aloe then it’s best to keep it contained and indoors.
#2 Mimosa Tree
Many people choose this shrub or tree due to its pretty pink flowers and soft, fern-like leaves. Beware of its gentle appearance though as planting this could leave you in hot water with your neighbors. Mimosa is incredibly productive, spreading seeds all over your yard and being carried on the breeze into your neighbors yard too. Being this efficient means that it will spread like wildfire and once it’s taken root, it’s extremely difficult to get rid of.
#3 Wisteria
This romantic bloom is popular for covering pagodas, providing privacy and presenting gorgeous purple flowers. The roots, however, are anything but gorgeous as they can travel quite some distance from the main plant’s location. If you don’t spend time each year pruning then it can take over trees and anything other objects in its path. It can also live for centuries so give this plant serious consideration before introducing it to your garden.
#4 Castor Bean
It pays to know your plants if you’re moving into a new property as you’ll need to know what’s lurking in case you have animals. Castor Bean has an attractive flower with large leaves and grows very quickly but the whole plant is highly poisonous, particularly the seeds. Small animals will find it toxic but also farm animals like horses, sheep and cattle so if there’s any evidence of this plant, you’ll need to remove it.
#5 Yucca
This is a high maintenance plant and its sharp leaves need to be cleared up once they’ve fallen off. You’ll also need to regularly chop the stalks back. The yucca attracts a lot of insects and only blooms for one week every year so it’s a lot of upkeep for not much return. The roots are tough, invasive and hard to eradicate and getting rid of one could mean digging up everything around it as well. The best advice is to keep your yucca in a pot!
#6 Water Hyacinth
Many people choose this attractive flowering plant in ponds and water features as a purifying natural filter. This watery bloom can, however, get a bit too big for its boots. Water Hyacinth has been known to totally dominate a pond, choking out the fish and other plant life. Avoid these pretty light purple flowers and choose something a little less invasive instead.
#7 Euphorbia
This plant genus is unique in that it consists of different species and although they are all stunning to look at, the plant contains a sap that acts as an irritant to skin and is poisonous if ingested. Definitely one to avoid if you have pets or small children playing in the garden as the milk-like sap can make them very poorly indeed. You might also know them as spurges.
#8 Monkshood
People often mistake this plant for horseradish but it’s not one you want to handle! The bulbs of this deep purple fiendish flower can kill an adult and even just touching the leaves can lead to numbness of the skin so if you find this growing in your garden then do wear gloves to handle it.
#9 Pyracantha
This evergreen shrub is a common feature in many U.S yards but its thorns can cause a problem if you have children running around and they can also cause a nasty burning or itchy sensation on the skin. There’s a reason why they’re also known as ‘firethorn’. A slight nick from one of its thorns releases a strong allergen. Severe joint pain has also been recorded in those who are particularly sensitive.
#10 Pokeweed
These purple berry clusters look delicious and the birds certainly seem to think so. Don’t be tempted though as you’ll end up with a bad stomach ache and possibly a nasty headache. If you think there’s a chance pets or kids could eat them then remove poke weed from your garden altogether.
#11 Bamboo
Bamboo offers an exotic vibe to a garden which is what makes it so popular. Bear in mind though, that’s a devil to deal with once it takes hold. It grows quickly and extensively and if it gets too near your property, you may need to put up barriers to prevent its roots spreading further. If you’ve got your heart set on bamboo then try a less invasive variety such as Bambusa Borinda.
#12 Kudzu
Once kudzu establishes itself, it could be a long time before you’re free of it. This woody vine latches onto buildings, trees and signs, growing a staggering one foot every day! Getting rid of it is virtually impossible and if you do succeed, you can guarantee it won’t be gone for long. Some suggestions include long-term use of herbicides or investing in some goats!
