Persian hogweed is one of the illegal plants in Germany and the EU.bild: imago images / zoonar
Klima & Umwelt
Narcissus, crocus or tulip: When the temperatures rise again in Germany, the colorful variety of flowers breathe life back into nature. Finally there is an end to bare trees and bushes.
Some hobby gardeners then visit garden centers and hardware stores to choose a few plants and decorate the balcony or garden. But you should be careful when planting some species: In Germany and the entire EU there are strict rules and high penalties for the insertion and growth of invasive plant species.
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How much is the fine for growing invasive plants?
The undesirable species are very aggressive, spread quickly and displace native plants. This poses an enormous threat to the ecosystem and biodiversity.
Bursting the jewelweed pods is fun, but it crowds out other riverside plants. Image: imago images / blickwinkel
Invasive species are also very adaptable and thrive peacefully without natural enemies. Therefore they multiply rapidly and can cause high control costs.
If you want to do your wallet and the local flora and fauna a favor, you should under no circumstances allow any of the following plants to bloom. The invasive species are banned in Germany and the entire EU. The Federal Nature Conservation Act requires hefty fines of up to 50,000 euros for cultivation.
Illegal plants: which species are dangerous and prohibited?
- Götterbaum (Ailanthus altissima): The tree of heaven – also known as the tree of heaven – threatens local plants and emits toxic chemicals that disrupt the growth of other species.
- Gemeine Seidenpflanze (Asclepias syriaca): The name already speaks volumes. The plant originally comes from North America and grows quickly without taking native species into account.
- Cabomba caroliniana: Along with small rocks and shipwrecks, the Carolina mermaid is a popular decoration for an aquarium. However, it becomes a problem in domestic waters: it pushes back local aquatic plants and endangers aquatic ecologies.
- Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum): The plant can cause skin irritation or cause local species to overgrow and disappear.
- Drüsiges Springkraut (Impatiens glandulifera): The herb comes from the high mountains of the Himalayas and takes away the habitat of plants on river banks.
- Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica): Knotweed is a stubborn ravager. It stops at nothing and can grow through concrete or destroy foundations.
- Wasserhyazinthe (Eichhornia crassipes): The plant spreads like a large carpet on the surface of the water, threatening the ecological balance.
- Persischer Bärenklau (Persian Heracles): Persian hogweed has not yet made it to Germany. But it is already on the EU list so that the spread can be prevented as much as possible.
Forbidden plants in the garden: Will I be punished immediately?
If an illegal plant is spreading unintentionally and rapidly in your garden, you urgently need to do something about it. The growth must be removed immediately and professionally.
When ordering plants online or abroad, you need to be particularly careful. To be on the safe side, you can compare the Latin names of the plants.
But don’t worry: it is unlikely that you will be immediately fined if an illegal plant is discovered in the garden. If someone gets wind of it, you’ll have to remove the growth first – and cover the costs yourself.
Ragweed produces countless pollens and makes life difficult for allergy sufferers.Bild: imago images / Gudella
But be careful: it is possible that illegal plants were unintentionally used before 2015. The list was expanded at this time. If you notice an unknown species in your garden that has been blooming there for a while, you should check it out.
Are there any other regulations regarding plants in the garden?
Depending on the federal state, there are further restrictions for allotment gardeners. These are laid down in the respective allotment garden regulations, the rules of which must be followed by every garden association.
The Saxony State Association of Allotment Gardeners, for example, keeps a detailed list that not only contains a ban on invasive species, but also prohibits the cultivation of fast-growing plants such as bamboo or miscanthus.
Plants that transmit diseases such as fire blight, currant rust and ragweed, which can cause severe allergies, are also taboo.
If you are unsure about the topic, it is best to read your state’s allotment garden regulations or ask the garden club board for advice.
Narcotics Act: Which plant species are considered drugs?
According to the Narcotics Act (BTMG), some plant species are illegal because they can be used to produce drugs. These include, for example, opium poppy, coca bush and Aztec sage.
New legal regulation: In Germany, the possession of up to three female cannabis plants has been permitted since April 1st.
Germany is without question a driving nation. Pretty much every household has a car – or several – as figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) show. More than 60 million cars were registered in Germany at the beginning of the year.
