Bohemian Knotweed – Polygonum x bohemicum Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Bohemian Knotweed under “Prohibited Control.”
Minnesota noxious weeds
Minnesota (MN) lists 46 plants as noxious weeds under Minn. Stat. 18.771 / Minn. R. 1505.0730. Minnesota's list is an agricultural noxious-weed law, which governs control and spread on farmland and rights of way rather than what a nursery may sell.
What plants are invasive in Minnesota?
Minnesota names 46 plants, including Purple Loosestrife, Canada Thistle and Leafy Spurge. A noxious-weed listing obliges control and limits movement; it does not by itself ban nursery sale. 37 of the 46 are also flagged invasive by GRIIS, which is an ecological finding rather than a ruling by Minnesota. Checked against Minn. Stat. 18.771 / Minn. R. 1505.0730 on July 20, 2026.
Brownray Knapweed – Centaurea jacea Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Brownray Knapweed under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Canada Thistle – Cirsium arvense IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 73 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Canada Thistle under “Prohibited Control.”
Common Barberry – Berberis vulgaris IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 2 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Common Barberry under “Prohibited Control.”
Common Reed – Phragmites australis NativeProhibited
Recorded in 60 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Common Reed under “Prohibited Control.”
Cutleaf Teasel – Dipsacus laciniatus IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Cutleaf Teasel under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Dalmatian Toadflax – Linaria dalmatica IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 3 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Dalmatian Toadflax under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Diffuse Knapweed – Centaurea diffusa Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Diffuse Knapweed under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Giant Hogweed – Heracleum mantegazzianum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Giant Hogweed under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Giant Knotweed – Polygonum sachalinense IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Giant Knotweed under “Prohibited Control.”
Honeysuckle – Lonicera chrysantha Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Honeysuckle under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Japanese Knotweed – Polygonum cuspidatum IntroducedProhibited
Recorded in 5 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Japanese Knotweed under “Prohibited Control.”
Johnsongrass – Sorghum halepense Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Johnsongrass under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Leafy Spurge – Euphorbia esula IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 79 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Leafy Spurge under “Prohibited Control.”
Meadow Knapweed – Centaurea debeauxii Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Meadow Knapweed under “Prohibited Control.”
Narrowleaf Bittercress – Cardamine impatiens Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Narrowleaf Bittercress under “Prohibited Control.”
Nepalese Browntop – Microstegium vimineum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Nepalese Browntop under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Parsnip – Pastinaca sativa IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 38 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Parsnip under “Prohibited Control.”
Plumeless Thistle – Carduus x orthocephalus Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Plumeless Thistle under “Prohibited Control.”
Poison Hemlock – Conium maculatum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Poison Hemlock under “Prohibited Control.”
Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum salicaria IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 23 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Purple Loosestrife under “Prohibited Control.”
Spotted Knapweed – Centaurea stoebe IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 21 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Spotted Knapweed under “Prohibited Control.”
Tansy – Tanacetum vulgare IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 35 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Tansy under “Prohibited Control.”
Tree of Heaven – Ailanthus altissima Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Tree of Heaven under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Woolly Foxglove – Digitalis lanata IntroducedProhibited
Recorded in 1 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Woolly Foxglove under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Yellow Star-Thistle – Centaurea solstitialis IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Yellow Star-Thistle under “Prohibited Eradicate.”
Amur Corktree – Phellodendron amurense Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Amur Corktree under “Specially Regulated.”
Amur Honeysuckle – Lonicera maackii Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Amur Honeysuckle under “Restricted.”
Amur Maple – Acer ginnala IntroducedRestricted
Recorded in 3 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Amur Maple under “Specially Regulated.”
Autumn Olive – Elaeagnus umbellata Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Autumn Olive under “Restricted.”
Black Alder – Alnus glutinosa Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Black Alder under “Restricted.”
Black Locust – Robinia pseudoacacia NativeRestricted
Recorded in 14 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Black Locust under “Restricted.”
Callery Pear – Pyrus calleryana Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Callery Pear under “Restricted.”
Creeping Meadow Foxtail – Alopecurus arundinaceus Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Creeping Meadow Foxtail under “Restricted.”
Crownvetch – Securigera varia IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 12 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Crownvetch under “Restricted.”
Garlic Mustard – Alliaria petiolata IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 4 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Garlic Mustard under “Restricted.”
Glossy Buckthorn – Frangula alnus IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 12 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Glossy Buckthorn under “Restricted.”
Japanese Barberry – Berberis thunbergii IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 7 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Japanese Barberry under “Restricted.”
Morrow's Honeysuckle – Lonicera morrowii IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 11 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Morrow's Honeysuckle under “Restricted.”
Multiflora Rose – Rosa multiflora IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Multiflora Rose under “Restricted.”
Norway Maple – Acer platanoides Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Norway Maple under “Specially Regulated.”
Saltcedar – Tamarix ramosissima Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Saltcedar under “Restricted.”
Showy Fly Honeysuckle – Lonicera x bella IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 6 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Showy Fly Honeysuckle under “Restricted.”
Siberian Pea Shrub – Caragana arborescens IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 3 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Siberian Pea Shrub under “Restricted.”
Tatar Maple – Acer tataricum Not recorded hereRestricted
Recorded in no Minnesota county. Minnesota lists Tatar Maple under “Specially Regulated.”
Tatarian Honeysuckle – Lonicera tatarica IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 38 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Minnesota lists Tatarian Honeysuckle under “Restricted.”
No plant on Minnesota’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 Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bohemian Knotweed | Polygonum x bohemicum | ProhibitedMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Brownray Knapweed | Centaurea jacea | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Canada Thistle | Cirsium arvense | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Common Barberry | Berberis vulgaris | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | Common Juniper, Western Sand Cherry, Sandcherry |
| Common Reed | Phragmites australis | ProhibitedMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Cutleaf Teasel | Dipsacus laciniatus | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Dalmatian Toadflax | Linaria dalmatica | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Diffuse Knapweed | Centaurea diffusa | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Giant Hogweed | Heracleum mantegazzianum | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Giant Knotweed | Polygonum sachalinense | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera chrysantha | ProhibitedMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Japanese Knotweed | Polygonum cuspidatum | ProhibitedMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Johnsongrass | Sorghum halepense | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Leafy Spurge | Euphorbia esula | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Meadow Knapweed | Centaurea debeauxii | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Narrowleaf Bittercress | Cardamine impatiens | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Nepalese Browntop | Microstegium vimineum | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Parsnip | Pastinaca sativa | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Plumeless Thistle | Carduus x orthocephalus | ProhibitedMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Poison Hemlock | Conium maculatum | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Purple Loosestrife | Lythrum salicaria | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | Great St. Johnswort, Canada Goldenrod, Cutleaf Waterparsnip |
| Spotted Knapweed | Centaurea stoebe | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Tansy | Tanacetum vulgare | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Control” | — |
| Tree of Heaven | Ailanthus altissima | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | Western Catalpa, Kentucky Coffeetree, Black Cherry |
| Woolly Foxglove | Digitalis lanata | ProhibitedMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Yellow Star-Thistle | Centaurea solstitialis | ProhibitedInvasiveMinnesota says “Prohibited Eradicate” | — |
| Amur Corktree | Phellodendron amurense | RestrictedInvasiveMinnesota says “Specially Regulated” | Western Catalpa, Kentucky Coffeetree, Eastern Black Walnut |
| Amur Honeysuckle | Lonicera maackii | RestrictedInvasive | Common Witch Hazel, Smooth Sumac, Shining Willow |
| Amur Maple | Acer ginnala | RestrictedMinnesota says “Specially Regulated” | — |
| Autumn Olive | Elaeagnus umbellata | RestrictedInvasive | Silverberry, Smooth Sumac, American Black Elderberry |
| Black Alder | Alnus glutinosa | RestrictedInvasive | River/Red Birch, Balsam Poplar, Black Ash |
| Black Locust US native | Robinia pseudoacacia | Restricted | — |
| Callery Pear | Pyrus calleryana | RestrictedInvasive | Paper Birch, Pin Cherry, Black Cherry |
| Creeping Meadow Foxtail | Alopecurus arundinaceus | RestrictedInvasive | — |
| Crownvetch | Securigera varia | RestrictedInvasive | — |
| Garlic Mustard | Alliaria petiolata | RestrictedInvasive | — |
| Glossy Buckthorn | Frangula alnus | RestrictedInvasive | Shining Willow, Yellow Willow, Speckled Alder |
| Japanese Barberry | Berberis thunbergii | RestrictedInvasive | White Meadowsweet, Sweetgale, Sandcherry |
| Morrow's Honeysuckle | Lonicera morrowii | RestrictedInvasive | White Meadowsweet, Sandcherry, American Black Currant |
| Multiflora Rose | Rosa multiflora | RestrictedInvasive | American Black Currant, Western Sand Cherry, White Meadowsweet |
| Norway Maple | Acer platanoides | RestrictedInvasiveMinnesota says “Specially Regulated” | Black Maple, Red Maple, Sugar Maple |
| Saltcedar | Tamarix ramosissima | RestrictedInvasive | — |
| Showy Fly Honeysuckle | Lonicera x bella | RestrictedInvasive | White Meadowsweet, Sandcherry, American Black Currant |
| Siberian Pea Shrub | Caragana arborescens | RestrictedInvasive | — |
| Tatar Maple | Acer tataricum | RestrictedMinnesota says “Specially Regulated” | — |
| Tatarian Honeysuckle | Lonicera tatarica | RestrictedInvasive | American Fly Honeysuckle, Swamp Fly Honeysuckle, American Black Currant |
Where this comes from
- Minnesota listings
- Minn. Stat. 18.771 / Minn. R. 1505.0730. 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 Minnesota’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 Minnesota
Plants that two or more states bordering Minnesota regulate, and Minnesota 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.
- Absinthium Artemisia absinthium regulated in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- European Wand Loosestrife Lythrum virgatum regulated in North Dakota, Wisconsin
- Field Sowthistle Sonchus arvensis regulated in Iowa, South Dakota
- Gypsyflower Cynoglossum officinale regulated in North Dakota, Wisconsin
- Hardheads Acroptilon repens regulated in Iowa, Wisconsin
- Nodding Plumeless Thistle Carduus nutans regulated in North Dakota, Wisconsin
Questions
Is there an official Minnesota invasive species list?
Not under that name. Minnesota's legal list is a noxious-weed list: 46 plants named under Minn. Stat. 18.771 / Minn. R. 1505.0730, an agricultural noxious-weed law, which governs control and spread on farmland and rights of way rather than what a nursery may sell. GRIIS, the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species, flags 37 of these 46 as invasive in the lower 48 states. That is an ecological finding, not a ruling by Minnesota. This page shows both side by side.
What plants are illegal to sell in Minnesota?
Minnesota's list is an agricultural noxious-weed law, which governs control and spread on farmland and rights of way rather than what a nursery may sell. 46 plants are named under Minn. Stat. 18.771 / Minn. R. 1505.0730. A noxious-weed listing does not automatically ban nursery sale, so check the rule itself before assuming a plant cannot be bought or sold.
Is my plant invasive in Minnesota?
Search the table on this page for Minnesota's legal determination, then look for the Invasive chip beside it, which is a separate ecological finding from GRIIS rather than a ruling by Minnesota. 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
Not necessarily, and the distinction matters. Minnesota's list is an agricultural noxious-weed law: it obliges landowners to control these plants and restricts moving them, rather than making the act of planting one an offence in itself. Minn. Stat. 18.771 / Minn. R. 1505.0730 is the text that says what is actually required of you, and it is linked beside every plant here.
Does a plant missing from this list mean it is safe to plant in Minnesota?
No. This page reproduces what Minnesota 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.