Maryland, My Maryland

From the Baynet, Maryland Tightens Regulations on Invasive Plants As New Rules Take Effect

Maryland officials moved forward this week with expanded restrictions on the sale and possession of invasive plant species under updated regulations that took effect Jan. 15, 2026.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has revised and expanded its Prohibited Invasive Plant List, adding multiple nonnative species determined to pose a threat to native ecosystems. The changes stem from a statewide overhaul of how invasive plants are evaluated and regulated, replacing older classifications with a science-based assessment process.

Plants placed on the prohibited list may no longer be sold or acquired in Maryland after their effective dates. To reduce economic disruption, the state is allowing phase-out periods for existing inventory — one year for potted plants and two years for in-ground plantings — before full removal is required.

Officials say invasive plants can spread aggressively, displacing native vegetation, altering wildlife habitat and increasing long-term management costs for landowners and local governments. The updated regulations are intended to slow that spread while encouraging the use of native and noninvasive alternatives.

Nurseries, garden centers and landscapers have been preparing for the changes since the regulations were finalized, adjusting inventories and educating customers ahead of the January 2026 effective dates.

We have had a few of these in the garden. Our Wisteria didn't make it, but the Nandinas were indeed, invasive, spreading into the woods, and the Privet hedge was obnoxious enough that we had to put it down, which took some effort, beyond the chain saw. I collected both Blue Flag and Yellow Flag Iris from wild patches, before I knew the Yellow one was non-native. They worked well in the pond, and a few seeds sprouted in the garden, but in the long run didn't make it in garden because it was too dry.