These 6 Popular Plants Are Being Added to Michigan’s Invasive Species List

Michigan has added six more plants to its invasive species list because apparently spotted lanternflies, zebra mussels, and a dozen other environmental headaches weren't keeping state officials busy enough.

RELATED: Massive Invasion: Spotted Lanternflies Spreading Across Michigan

The newest additions from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) include a tree that's been showing off in front yards for years and a pair of aquatic plants that can turn a pond into something resembling a backyard swimming pool that's been ignored for decades.

Four Popular Plants Are Getting the Boot

Starting January 1, 2028, it will be illegal to introduce, import, sell, intentionally seed, or possess with intent to distribute common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, Callery pear, and Japanese barberry.

If Callery pear sounds familiar, that's because it's the tree that explodes with pretty white blossoms every spring before it develops thickets, reminding everyone why it landed on the invasive species list in the first place.

Two Water Plants Fast-Tracked to Michigan's Invasive Species List

Michigan isn't waiting around when it comes to water hyacinth and water lettuce. Beginning June 19, 2026, both plants will be classified as prohibited species, making it illegal to introduce, import, sell, intentionally spread, or possess them with the intent to distribute.

Why Michigan Cares

Invasive species spread aggressively, crowd out native plants, damage wildlife habitat, clog waterways, and create expensive problems for everyone else. Michigan already spends countless hours and taxpayer dollars fighting them across our forests, wetlands, lakes, and Great Lakes shoreline.

RELATED: Stink Bug Season in Michigan: Why They’re Waiting to Invade

The lesson? Just because a plant is pretty, grows quickly, survives anything, and seems impossible to kill doesn't mean putting it in your yard is a good idea. In fact, those are usually the exact qualities that get a plant invited onto Michigan's invasive species list.