The invasive Japanese Knotweed plant is causing problems across the UK, with over 50,000 investigations currently ongoing.
It can grow up to 10cm a day and is capable of pushing through brickwork, paving slabs, drains, sewers and cavity walls – potentially doing great damage to property.
To deal with the continuing spread, there are now fines for people who don’t take action against the weed, along with other plants that can cause a range of issues.
With this in mind, garden experts at Power Sheds have listed the top ‘criminal plants’ that could be growing in your garden and how you can save yourself from a hefty fine.
Jack Sutcliffe, co-founder of Power Sheds, explained: “Once you can identify the most common criminal plants, it’s important to prevent them from spreading as soon as possible. The easiest way to do this is by spraying them with chemicals, digging them out or burning them.”
So, here are the plants to look out for.
9. New Zealand Pigmyweed
Known for killing the other plants you might be trying to grow in your garden, the New Zealand Pigmyweed poses a threat to everything around her. It’s an invasive plant and the sales of this seed have been banned since 2014. The plant has small green leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers, and it can harm even aquatic environments. If found guilty, you could face a fine of up to £2,500. Photo: Canva/Getty Images