African Boxthorn – Lycium ferocissimum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists African Boxthorn as a designated plant pest.
South Carolina invasive plants
South Carolina (SC) regulates 96 invasive plants under S.C. Code Regs. R.27-135. South Carolina'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.
South Carolina invasive species list
South Carolina restricts 96 plants, including Purple Loosestrife, Waterthyme and Eurasian Watermilfoil. Plants marked Prohibited may not be sold, propagated, or moved within South Carolina. 55 of the 96 are also flagged invasive by GRIIS, which is an ecological finding rather than a ruling by South Carolina. Checked against S.C. Code Regs. R.27-135 on July 20, 2026.
African Couchgrass – Digitaria abyssinica Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists African Couchgrass as a designated plant pest.
African Feathergrass – Pennisetum macrourum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists African Feathergrass as a designated plant pest.
Alligatorweed – Alternanthera philoxeroides IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 15 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Alligatorweed as a designated plant pest.
Anchored Water Hyacinth – Eichhornia azurea Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Anchored Water Hyacinth as a designated plant pest.
Animated Oat – Avena sterilis Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Animated Oat as a designated plant pest.
Arrowhead – Sagittaria sagittifolia Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Arrowhead as a designated plant pest.
Arrowleaf Falsepickerelweed – Monochoria hastata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Arrowleaf Falsepickerelweed as a designated plant pest.
Asian Marshweed – Limnophila sessiliflora Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Asian Marshweed as a designated plant pest.
Asiatic Tearthumb – Polygonum perfoliatum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Asiatic Tearthumb as a designated plant pest.
Autumn Olive – Elaeagnus umbellata IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 7 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Autumn Olive as a designated plant pest.
Balloon Vine – Cardiospermum halicacabum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Balloon Vine as a designated plant pest.
Blackberry – Rubus fruticosus Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Blackberry as a designated plant pest.
Blessed Thistle – Cnicus benedictus IntroducedListed
Recorded in 22 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Blessed Thistle as a designated plant pest.
Blood Grass – Imperata cylindrica IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Blood Grass as a designated plant pest.
Brazilian Satintail – Imperata brasiliensis Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Brazilian Satintail as a designated plant pest.
Brazilian Waterweed – Egeria densa IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 2 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Brazilian Waterweed as a designated plant pest.
Brittle Waternymph – Najas minor IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Brittle Waternymph as a designated plant pest.
Brownbeard Rice – Oryza rufipogon Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Brownbeard Rice as a designated plant pest.
Callery Pear – Pyrus calleryana IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Callery Pear as a designated plant pest.
Cattail Grass – Setaria pumila subsp. pallidefusca Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Cattail Grass as a designated plant pest.
Chinese Sprangletop – Leptochloa chinensis Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Chinese Sprangletop as a designated plant pest.
Coatbuttons – Tridax procumbens Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Coatbuttons as a designated plant pest.
Common Corncockle – Agrostemma githago IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 27 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Common Corncockle as a designated plant pest.
Common Crupina – Crupina vulgaris Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Common Crupina as a designated plant pest.
Common Reed – Phragmites australis NativeListed
Recorded in 2 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Common Reed as a designated plant pest.
Common Water Hyacinth – Eichhornia crassipes IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 3 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Common Water Hyacinth as a designated plant pest.
Crested Floatingheart – Nymphoides cristata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Crested Floatingheart as a designated plant pest.
Darnel Ryegrass – Lolium temulentum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Darnel Ryegrass as a designated plant pest.
Ducklettuce – Ottelia alismoides Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Ducklettuce as a designated plant pest.
Eared Watermoss – Salvinia auriculata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Eared Watermoss as a designated plant pest.
Eelkek – Rubus moluccanus Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Eelkek as a designated plant pest.
Eurasian Watermilfoil – Myriophyllum spicatum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 2 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Eurasian Watermilfoil as a designated plant pest.
Feathered Mosquitofern – Azolla pinnata Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Feathered Mosquitofern as a designated plant pest.
Fig Buttercup – Ranunculus ficaria Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Fig Buttercup as a designated plant pest.
Giant False Sensitive Plant – Mimosa diplotricha Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Giant False Sensitive Plant as a designated plant pest.
Giant Hogweed – Heracleum mantegazzianum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Giant Hogweed as a designated plant pest.
Giant Salvinia – Salvinia biloba Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Giant Salvinia as a designated plant pest.
Giant Salvinia – Salvinia herzogii Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Giant Salvinia as a designated plant pest.
Golden False Beardgrass – Chrysopogon aciculatus Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Golden False Beardgrass as a designated plant pest.
Hardheads – Acroptilon repens Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Hardheads as a designated plant pest.
Heartleaf Hempvine – Mikania cordata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Heartleaf Hempvine as a designated plant pest.
Heartshape False Pickerelweed – Monochoria vaginalis Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Heartshape False Pickerelweed as a designated plant pest.
Indian Swampweed – Hygrophila polysperma Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Indian Swampweed as a designated plant pest.
Itchgrass – Rottboellia cochinchinensis Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Itchgrass as a designated plant pest.
Jeweled Distaff Thistle – Carthamus oxyacanthus Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Jeweled Distaff Thistle as a designated plant pest.
Jio – Commelina benghalensis Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Jio as a designated plant pest.
Kariba-Weed – Salvinia molesta Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Kariba-Weed as a designated plant pest.
Kikuyugrass – Pennisetum clandestinum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Kikuyugrass as a designated plant pest.
Killer Alga – Caulerpa taxifolia Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Killer Alga as a designated plant pest.
Kodomillet – Paspalum scrobiculatum Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Kodomillet as a designated plant pest.
Kyasuma Grass – Pennisetum pedicellatum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Kyasuma Grass as a designated plant pest.
Large-Flower Primrose-Willow – Ludwigia grandiflora grandiflora Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Large-Flower Primrose-Willow as a designated plant pest.
Large-Flower Primrose-Willow – Ludwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Large-Flower Primrose-Willow as a designated plant pest.
Lilacbell – Ipomoea turbinata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Lilacbell as a designated plant pest.
Littlebell – Ipomoea triloba Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Littlebell as a designated plant pest.
Lollipop Mimosa – Mimosa pellita Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Lollipop Mimosa as a designated plant pest.
Longstamen Rice – Oryza longistaminata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Longstamen Rice as a designated plant pest.
Malabar Melastome – Melastoma malabathricum Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Malabar Melastome as a designated plant pest.
Mandarin Orange – Citrus reticulata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Mandarin Orange as a designated plant pest.
Mexican Fireplant – Euphorbia heterophylla Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Mexican Fireplant as a designated plant pest.
Mile-A-Minute – Mikania micrantha Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Mile-A-Minute as a designated plant pest.
Mission Grass – Pennisetum polystachion Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Mission Grass as a designated plant pest.
Onionweed – Asphodelus fistulosus Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Onionweed as a designated plant pest.
Oxygen-Weed – Lagarosiphon major Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Oxygen-Weed as a designated plant pest.
Panic Liverseed Grass – Urochloa panicoides Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Panic Liverseed Grass as a designated plant pest.
Professor-Weed – Galega officinalis Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Professor-Weed as a designated plant pest.
Prosopis alpataco – Prosopis alpataco Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Prosopis alpataco as a designated plant pest.
Prosopis argentina – Prosopis argentina Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Prosopis argentina as a designated plant pest.
Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum salicaria Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Purple Loosestrife as a designated plant pest.
Red Rice – Oryza punctata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Red Rice as a designated plant pest.
Ribbed Murainagrass – Ischaemum rugosum Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Ribbed Murainagrass as a designated plant pest.
Rice – Oryza sativa IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Rice as a designated plant pest.
Russian Olive – Elaeagnus angustifolia Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Russian Olive as a designated plant pest.
Sandwort Drymary – Drymaria arenarioides Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Sandwort Drymary as a designated plant pest.
Scrambling Nightshade – Solanum tampicense Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Scrambling Nightshade as a designated plant pest.
Serrated Tussock – Nassella trichotoma Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Serrated Tussock as a designated plant pest.
Sessile Joyweed – Alternanthera sessilis Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Sessile Joyweed as a designated plant pest.
Shrubby Russian Thistle – Salsola vermiculata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Shrubby Russian Thistle as a designated plant pest.
Silverberry – Elaeagnus pungens IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Silverberry as a designated plant pest.
Simplestem Bur-Reed – Sparganium erectum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Simplestem Bur-Reed as a designated plant pest.
Southern Threecornerjack – Emex australis Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Southern Threecornerjack as a designated plant pest.
Spiny Threecornerjack – Emex spinosa Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Spiny Threecornerjack as a designated plant pest.
Sticky Snakeroot – Ageratina adenophora Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Sticky Snakeroot as a designated plant pest.
Swamp Morning-Glory – Ipomoea aquatica Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Swamp Morning-Glory as a designated plant pest.
Texas Blueweed – Helianthus ciliaris Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Texas Blueweed as a designated plant pest.
Tiger-Pear – Opuntia aurantiaca Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Tiger-Pear as a designated plant pest.
Tropical Soda Apple – Solanum viarum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Tropical Soda Apple as a designated plant pest.
Turkey Berry – Solanum torvum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Turkey Berry as a designated plant pest.
Velvet Crabgrass – Digitaria velutina Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Velvet Crabgrass as a designated plant pest.
Water Chestnut – Trapa natans Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Water Chestnut as a designated plant pest.
Water Lettuce – Pistia stratiotes NativeListed
Recorded in 1 of South Carolina’s 46 counties. South Carolina lists Water Lettuce as a designated plant pest.
Waterthyme – Hydrilla verticillata Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Waterthyme as a designated plant pest.
Wild Sugarcane – Saccharum spontaneum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Wild Sugarcane as a designated plant pest.
Winged False Buttonweed – Spermacoce alata Not recorded hereListed
Recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Winged False Buttonweed as a designated plant pest.
Yellow Floatingheart – Nymphoides peltata Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no South Carolina county. South Carolina lists Yellow Floatingheart as a designated plant pest.
No plant on South Carolina’s list matches that.
6 of these plants are 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 South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| African Boxthorn | Lycium ferocissimum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| African Couchgrass | Digitaria abyssinica | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| African Feathergrass | Pennisetum macrourum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Alligatorweed | Alternanthera philoxeroides | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Anchored Water Hyacinth | Eichhornia azurea | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Animated Oat | Avena sterilis | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Arrowhead | Sagittaria sagittifolia | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Arrowleaf Falsepickerelweed | Monochoria hastata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Asian Marshweed | Limnophila sessiliflora | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Asiatic Tearthumb | Polygonum perfoliatum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Autumn Olive | Elaeagnus umbellata | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | Smooth Sumac, Chickasaw Plum, American Black Elderberry |
| Balloon Vine | Cardiospermum halicacabum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Blackberry | Rubus fruticosus | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Blessed Thistle | Cnicus benedictus | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Blood Grass | Imperata cylindrica | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | Purple Love Grass, Manyspike Flatsedge, Needle Spikerush |
| Brazilian Satintail | Imperata brasiliensis | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Brazilian Waterweed | Egeria densa | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Brittle Waternymph | Najas minor | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Brownbeard Rice | Oryza rufipogon | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Callery Pear | Pyrus calleryana | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | Sassafras, Black Cherry, May Hawthorn |
| Cattail Grass | Setaria pumila subsp. pallidefusca | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Chinese Sprangletop | Leptochloa chinensis | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Coatbuttons | Tridax procumbens | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Common Corncockle | Agrostemma githago | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Common Crupina | Crupina vulgaris | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Common Reed | Phragmites australis | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Common Water Hyacinth | Eichhornia crassipes | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Crested Floatingheart | Nymphoides cristata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Darnel Ryegrass | Lolium temulentum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Ducklettuce | Ottelia alismoides | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Eared Watermoss | Salvinia auriculata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Eelkek | Rubus moluccanus | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Eurasian Watermilfoil | Myriophyllum spicatum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Feathered Mosquitofern | Azolla pinnata | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Fig Buttercup | Ranunculus ficaria | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | Mississippi Buttercup, Blue Eyed Grass, Common Goldstar |
| Giant False Sensitive Plant | Mimosa diplotricha | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Giant Hogweed | Heracleum mantegazzianum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Giant Salvinia | Salvinia biloba | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Giant Salvinia | Salvinia herzogii | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Golden False Beardgrass | Chrysopogon aciculatus | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Hardheads | Acroptilon repens | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Heartleaf Hempvine | Mikania cordata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Heartshape False Pickerelweed | Monochoria vaginalis | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Indian Swampweed | Hygrophila polysperma | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Itchgrass | Rottboellia cochinchinensis | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Jeweled Distaff Thistle | Carthamus oxyacanthus | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Jio | Commelina benghalensis | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Kariba-Weed | Salvinia molesta | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Kikuyugrass | Pennisetum clandestinum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Killer Alga | Caulerpa taxifolia | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Kodomillet | Paspalum scrobiculatum | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Kyasuma Grass | Pennisetum pedicellatum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Large-Flower Primrose-Willow | Ludwigia grandiflora grandiflora | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Large-Flower Primrose-Willow | Ludwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Lilacbell | Ipomoea turbinata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Littlebell | Ipomoea triloba | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Lollipop Mimosa US native | Mimosa pellita | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Longstamen Rice | Oryza longistaminata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Malabar Melastome US native | Melastoma malabathricum | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Mandarin Orange | Citrus reticulata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Mexican Fireplant US native | Euphorbia heterophylla | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Mile-A-Minute | Mikania micrantha | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Mission Grass | Pennisetum polystachion | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Onionweed | Asphodelus fistulosus | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Oxygen-Weed | Lagarosiphon major | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Panic Liverseed Grass | Urochloa panicoides | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Professor-Weed | Galega officinalis | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Prosopis alpataco | Prosopis alpataco | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Prosopis argentina | Prosopis argentina | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Purple Loosestrife | Lythrum salicaria | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | Wand Lythrum, Comfortroot, Crimsoneyed Rosemallow |
| Red Rice | Oryza punctata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Ribbed Murainagrass | Ischaemum rugosum | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Rice | Oryza sativa | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Russian Olive | Elaeagnus angustifolia | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | Smooth Sumac, Blackjack Oak, Chickasaw Plum |
| Sandwort Drymary | Drymaria arenarioides | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Scrambling Nightshade | Solanum tampicense | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Serrated Tussock | Nassella trichotoma | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Sessile Joyweed | Alternanthera sessilis | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Shrubby Russian Thistle | Salsola vermiculata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Silverberry | Elaeagnus pungens | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Simplestem Bur-Reed | Sparganium erectum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Southern Threecornerjack | Emex australis | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Spiny Threecornerjack | Emex spinosa | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Sticky Snakeroot | Ageratina adenophora | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Swamp Morning-Glory | Ipomoea aquatica | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Texas Blueweed US native | Helianthus ciliaris | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Tiger-Pear | Opuntia aurantiaca | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Tropical Soda Apple | Solanum viarum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Turkey Berry | Solanum torvum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Velvet Crabgrass | Digitaria velutina | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Water Chestnut | Trapa natans | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Water Lettuce US native | Pistia stratiotes | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Waterthyme | Hydrilla verticillata | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Wild Sugarcane US native | Saccharum spontaneum | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Winged False Buttonweed | Spermacoce alata | ListedSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
| Yellow Floatingheart | Nymphoides peltata | ListedInvasiveSouth Carolina says “designated plant pest” | — |
Where this comes from
- South Carolina listings
- S.C. Code Regs. R.27-135. 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 South Carolina’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.
Questions
Is there an official South Carolina invasive species list?
Yes. S.C. Code Regs. R.27-135 is South Carolina's list, naming 96 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 55 of these 96 as invasive in the lower 48 states. That is an ecological finding, not a ruling by South Carolina. This page shows both side by side.
What plants are illegal to sell in South Carolina?
96 plants are regulated under S.C. Code Regs. R.27-135. Plants marked Prohibited may not be sold, propagated, or moved within South Carolina. Plants marked Restricted carry narrower limits set by the rule.
Is my plant invasive in South Carolina?
Search the table on this page for South Carolina's legal determination, then look for the Invasive chip beside it, which is a separate ecological finding from GRIIS rather than a ruling by South Carolina. 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
For the plants marked Prohibited, S.C. Code Regs. R.27-135 bars selling, propagating, or moving them within South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
No. This page reproduces what South Carolina 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.
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010.1Identify
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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
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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
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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.