Amur Honeysuckle – Lonicera maackii Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Amur Honeysuckle under “Invasive Plant List.”
Delaware invasive plants
Delaware (DE) regulates 36 invasive plants under 3 Del. Admin. Code 806 §3.0. Delaware's list is a trade restriction, which governs what may be sold, propagated, or moved within the state — in plain terms, which plants are illegal to sell here.
Delaware invasive species list
Delaware restricts 36 plants, including Purple Loosestrife, Waterthyme and Tree of Heaven. Plants marked Prohibited may not be sold, propagated, or moved within Delaware. 32 of the 36 are also flagged invasive by GRIIS, which is an ecological finding rather than a ruling by Delaware. Checked against 3 Del. Admin. Code 806 §3.0 on July 20, 2026.
Asiatic Tearthumb – Polygonum perfoliatum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 2 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Asiatic Tearthumb under “Invasive Plant List.”
Autumn Olive – Elaeagnus umbellata IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Autumn Olive under “Invasive Plant List.”
Blueberry Creeper – Ampelopsis brevipedunculata Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Blueberry Creeper under “Invasive Plant List.”
Burning Bush – Euonymus alatus Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Burning Bush under “Invasive Plant List.”
Callery Pear – Pyrus calleryana Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Callery Pear under “Invasive Plant List.”
Chinese Wisteria – Wisteria sinensis Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Chinese Wisteria under “Invasive Plant List.”
Common Reed – Phragmites australis NativeProhibited
Recorded in 3 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Common Reed under “Invasive Plant List.”
Common Water Hyacinth – Eichhornia crassipes Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Common Water Hyacinth under “Invasive Plant List.”
Daylily – Hemerocallis fulva IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Daylily under “Invasive Plant List.”
English Ivy – Hedera helix Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists English Ivy under “Invasive Plant List.”
Fig Buttercup – Ranunculus ficaria Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Fig Buttercup under “Invasive Plant List.”
Floating Primrose-Willow – Ludwigia peploides subsp. glabrescens Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Floating Primrose-Willow under “Invasive Plant List.”
Garlic Mustard – Alliaria petiolata IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Garlic Mustard under “Invasive Plant List.”
Japanese Barberry – Berberis thunbergii Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Japanese Barberry under “Invasive Plant List.”
Japanese Knotweed – Fallopia japonica (potentially invasive weed) Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Japanese Knotweed under “Invasive Plant List.”
Japanese Spurge – Pachysandra terminalis Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Japanese Spurge under “Invasive Plant List.”
Morrow's Honeysuckle – Lonicera morrowii Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Morrow's Honeysuckle under “Invasive Plant List.”
Multiflora Rose – Rosa multiflora Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Multiflora Rose under “Invasive Plant List.”
Nepalese Browntop – Microstegium vimineum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Nepalese Browntop under “Invasive Plant List.”
Norway Maple – Acer platanoides IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Norway Maple under “Invasive Plant List.”
Oriental Bittersweet – Celastrus orbiculatus Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Oriental Bittersweet under “Invasive Plant List.”
Parrot Feather Watermilfoil – Myriophyllum aquaticum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Parrot Feather Watermilfoil under “Invasive Plant List.”
Periwinkle – Vinca minor Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Periwinkle under “Invasive Plant List.”
Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum salicaria IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Purple Loosestrife under “Invasive Plant List.”
Purple-Leaf Japanese Honeysuckle – Lonicera japonica 'Purpurea' Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Purple-Leaf Japanese Honeysuckle under “Invasive Plant List.”
Spotted Knapweed – Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Spotted Knapweed under “Invasive Plant List.”
Sweet Autumn Clematis – Clematis terniflora Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Sweet Autumn Clematis under “Invasive Plant List.”
Sweet Flag – Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Sweet Flag under “Invasive Plant List.”
Tatarian Honeysuckle – Lonicera tatarica Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Tatarian Honeysuckle under “Invasive Plant List.”
Tree of Heaven – Ailanthus altissima IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Tree of Heaven under “Invasive Plant List.”
Wartremoving Herb – Murdannia keisak IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Wartremoving Herb under “Invasive Plant List.”
Waterthyme – Hydrilla verticillata Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Waterthyme under “Invasive Plant List.”
Wild Privet – Ligustrum vulgare IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Delaware’s 3 counties. Delaware lists Wild Privet under “Invasive Plant List.”
Wine Raspberry – Rubus phoenicolasius Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Wine Raspberry under “Invasive Plant List.”
Creeping Jenny – Lysimachia nummularia Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Delaware county. Delaware lists Creeping Jenny under “Plant Watch List.”
No plant on Delaware’s list matches that.
1 of these plant is native to part of the United States, marked US native above. Nativity is regional. Black locust is native to the Appalachians and regulated in New England; Palmer amaranth is native to the Southwest and listed as an agricultural weed in the Corn Belt. A listing tells you what Delaware regulates, not where a plant belongs. The county checker answers the second question.
Want to check a plant by photo or county?
Use our “Is it native” tool for free.Compiled from the rule itself, retrieved July 20, 2026. Law changes; if you spot a listing we have wrong or stale, tell us at support@getezina.com.
The same list as a table
| Plant | Scientific name | Status | Plant instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amur Honeysuckle | Lonicera maackii | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Common Witch Hazel, Smooth Sumac, Shining Willow |
| Asiatic Tearthumb | Polygonum perfoliatum | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Autumn Olive | Elaeagnus umbellata | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Smooth Sumac, Northern Bayberry, Bayberry |
| Blueberry Creeper | Ampelopsis brevipedunculata | ProhibitedDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Muscadine, Frost Grape, Trumpet Honeysuckle |
| Burning Bush | Euonymus alatus | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Mapleleaf Viburnum, Coastal Serviceberry, Steeplebush |
| Callery Pear | Pyrus calleryana | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Sassafras, Black Cherry, Cockspur Hawthorn |
| Chinese Wisteria | Wisteria sinensis | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Low False Bindweed, Common Moonseed, Purple Passionflower |
| Common Reed | Phragmites australis | ProhibitedDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Common Water Hyacinth | Eichhornia crassipes | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Daylily | Hemerocallis fulva | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| English Ivy | Hedera helix | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Fig Buttercup | Ranunculus ficaria | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Mississippi Buttercup, Longbeak Buttercup, Blue Eyed Grass |
| Floating Primrose-Willow US native | Ludwigia peploides subsp. glabrescens | ProhibitedDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Garlic Mustard | Alliaria petiolata | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Japanese Barberry | Berberis thunbergii | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Coast Leucothoe, White Meadowsweet, Blue Huckleberry |
| Japanese Knotweed | Fallopia japonica (potentially invasive weed) | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Japanese Spurge | Pachysandra terminalis | ProhibitedDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Morrow's Honeysuckle | Lonicera morrowii | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Coast Leucothoe, White Meadowsweet, American Black Currant |
| Multiflora Rose | Rosa multiflora | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | American Black Currant, Coastal Serviceberry, White Meadowsweet |
| Nepalese Browntop | Microstegium vimineum | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Norway Maple | Acer platanoides | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Box Elder |
| Oriental Bittersweet | Celastrus orbiculatus | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | American Bittersweet, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Yellow Passionflower |
| Parrot Feather Watermilfoil | Myriophyllum aquaticum | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Periwinkle | Vinca minor | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Purple Loosestrife | Lythrum salicaria | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Wand Lythrum, Canada Goldenrod, Common Cowparsnip |
| Purple-Leaf Japanese Honeysuckle | Lonicera japonica 'Purpurea' | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Trumpet Honeysuckle, Trumpet Vine, Devil's Darning Needles |
| Spotted Knapweed | Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Sweet Autumn Clematis | Clematis terniflora | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Devil's Darning Needles, Trumpet Vine, Western Blue Virginsbower |
| Sweet Flag | Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Tatarian Honeysuckle | Lonicera tatarica | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | American Black Currant, Coastal Serviceberry, White Meadowsweet |
| Tree of Heaven | Ailanthus altissima | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Post Oak, Black Cherry, Sweet Birch |
| Wartremoving Herb | Murdannia keisak | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Waterthyme | Hydrilla verticillata | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | — |
| Wild Privet | Ligustrum vulgare | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | Coast Leucothoe, White Meadowsweet, American Black Currant |
| Wine Raspberry | Rubus phoenicolasius | ProhibitedInvasiveDelaware says “Invasive Plant List” | American Hazelnut, Common Winterberry, Blue Huckleberry |
| Creeping Jenny | Lysimachia nummularia | RestrictedInvasiveDelaware says “Plant Watch List” | — |
Where this comes from
- Delaware listings
- 3 Del. Admin. Code 806 §3.0. Read the rule.
- Invasive status
- GRIIS, the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species, via GBIF, covering the lower 48 states. A scientific register with no legal force; it is cited separately from the statute above because the two disagree far more often than they agree. Garden crops it flags only for spreading from cultivation are left out after review.
- Status wording
- The Prohibited / Restricted / Listed chips are Ezina’s normalisation across 44 states and are not the legal term. Where Delaware’s own word for a plant differs from the chip, it is quoted verbatim beneath it.
- Nativity
- USDA PLANTS county distribution layer, surfaced through the county checker.
Regulated next door, but not in Delaware
Plants that two or more states bordering Delaware regulate, and Delaware does not. A listing is a legal act rather than an ecological one, so a plant can be a documented problem here and still be sold here.
- Japanese Angelica Tree Aralia elata regulated in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- Border Privet Ligustrum obtusifolium regulated in Maryland, Pennsylvania
- Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica regulated in New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- Eurasian Watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum regulated in New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- Japanese Hop Humulus japonicus regulated in New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- Japanese Wisteria Wisteria floribunda regulated in Maryland, New Jersey
- Water Chestnut Trapa natans regulated in New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Questions
Is there an official Delaware invasive species list?
Yes. 3 Del. Admin. Code 806 §3.0 is Delaware's list, naming 36 plants under a trade restriction, which governs what may be sold, propagated, or moved within the state — in plain terms, which plants are illegal to sell here. GRIIS, the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species, flags 32 of these 36 as invasive in the lower 48 states. That is an ecological finding, not a ruling by Delaware. This page shows both side by side.
What plants are illegal to sell in Delaware?
36 plants are regulated under 3 Del. Admin. Code 806 §3.0. Plants marked Prohibited may not be sold, propagated, or moved within Delaware. Plants marked Restricted carry narrower limits set by the rule.
Is my plant invasive in Delaware?
Search the table on this page for Delaware's legal determination, then look for the Invasive chip beside it, which is a separate ecological finding from GRIIS rather than a ruling by Delaware. A plant can carry one, both, or neither. For an address-level answer, enter the plant's name in Ezina's checker to get its Delaware status alongside whether USDA records it as native to your specific county. Every answer links the record it came from.
Is it illegal to plant these in Delaware?
For the plants marked Prohibited, 3 Del. Admin. Code 806 §3.0 bars selling, propagating, or moving them within Delaware. Whether planting one you already own is itself an offence depends on that rule's exact wording, which is why every plant on this page links the citation rather than us paraphrasing it. Plants marked Restricted carry narrower limits the rule sets out.
Does a plant missing from this list mean it is safe to plant in Delaware?
No. This page reproduces what Delaware regulates, and a state list is a legal instrument rather than an ecological verdict. Plenty of plants spread aggressively without ever being listed, and states add species years after the problem is documented.
Grow natives easily with Ezina
How it works
We provide the tools you need to succeed.
010.1Identify
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
010.2Care
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
010.3Plan
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Compiled from peer-reviewed research, USDA documentation,
and direct scientific observation across the United States.