Invasive, toxic or forbidden: these plants are not to be planted in your garden!

Some plants are far from welcome in the garden! Whether they're toxic, invasive or simply forbidden by law, certain plant species can turn your patch of greenery into a veritable nightmare. We take a look at the varieties that can pose a danger to other crops and domestic animals, and those that are prohibited by law.

In March 2023, a ministerial decree banned the planting ofPampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) in the garden. And if you grow this grass, which forms imposing plumes on your land, you're obliged to get rid of it. The plant is highly invasive. It produces millions of seeds that enable it to multiply rapidly and colonize entire territories, to the detriment of other species.

But it's not the only variety that the law forbids you to plant in your garden, on pain of a fine! Thispink-flowered shrub is toxic and invasive. The plant poses a danger to other crops, which it suffocates, and to infrastructure, which is not always able to withstand its vigorous roots and growth.

With its weed-like appearance, ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is not necessarily the plant you want to add to your collection. And thankfully so! It's forbidden to plant it, and you're even asked to uproot it if it's already present in your garden. Indeed, its pollen is highly allergenic and it takes precedence over other species, including food crops.

Dreaming of seeing the blue flowers of the butterfly tree (Buddleia) brighten up your garden? Choose a risk-free sterile cultivar. The botanical variety, Buddleia de David (Buddleja davidii), is banned in certain regions, as it is considered too invasive.

The most common mistake made by novice gardeners? Planting mint(Mentha) or bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.) in the ground. After a few years, or even a few months, these plants spread everywhere, even where you don't want to see them. No matter how hard you dig, turn over the soil or plant something else, they always come back. This is due to their trailing rhizomes, which enable them to grow over great distances and reproduce from just a few centimetres of root.

For the same reasons, think twice before planting comfrey(Symphytum officinale), periwinkle (Vinca minor and Vinca major) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).

For all these varieties, grow them in pots or install a rhizome barrier. This will prevent the plant from expanding its territory and colonizing your garden.

Plants with trailing rhizomes aren't the only ones that can become invasive. Some species spread just as quickly through seed dispersal. This is particularly true of night-flowering beauty or wisteria.

Hardly anyone would think of planting hemlock (Conium maculatum),belladonna(Atropa belladonna), foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), castor oil (Ricinus communis) or Datura (Datura stramonium, Datura innoxia, for example). These highly toxic plants are fatal if ingested.

But many plants frequently grown in the garden are also dangerous to us and our pets. Such is the case with Nerium oleander (Nerium oleander) and Convallaria majalis(Convallaria majalis). The leaves, flowers, fruit and roots contain toxins which, when ingested, cause vomiting, headaches and serious heart problems. They can even lead to death. These species are so toxic that drinking the water from the vase in which the flowers were kept can kill your dog or cat.

The list of toxic plants to ban if you live with hairballs also includes :

Avoid lantana, hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea macrophylla), arum(Arum maculatum), clematis(Clematis spp.) and mistletoe(Viscum album). These plants are not fatal, but they do cause digestive problems (vomiting, diarrhoea and other pleasures), irritation of the mucous membranes and sometimes even heart or respiratory problems. Ingesting them is guaranteed to land you in the doctor's or vet's office!

Before buying a plant whose toxicity you don't know, consult theMonstera application. We'll tell you whether or not the variety represents a danger to you and your pets in the event of contact or ingestion.

Ginkgo biloba, often nicknamed the "forty-ecus tree" because of the golden color of its leaves in autumn, is native to Japan and China. It is one of the oldest plant species on earth. However, behind its delicate foliage lie a number of major drawbacks, earning it its own entry in this list of plants to ban from the garden.

The most frequently cited problem with Ginkgo biloba concerns the female trees. In autumn, after flowering, these specimens produce fleshy fruits resembling small yellow plums. Once dropped to the ground and crushed, these berries give off a nauseating odor, somewhere between rancid butter and vomit. This delicate fragrance is due to the butyric acid present in the fruit.

Thinking of planting a male tree to escape the stench? Not a good idea! Mr. Ginkgo biloba develops very powerful, deep roots which, over time, can spread over great distances. Its root system can damage house foundations, fence walls, underground pipes and even nearby sidewalks.