Homeowner met with warnings after sharing photos of seemingly innocent plant they put in yard: 'I would remove'

A Reddit user was hoping to uncover the background of their new plant, but they were quickly met with serious warnings from gardening experts.

"Bought on sale for $2, and I don't know what it is!" the user said on the subreddit r/WhatPlantIsThis, alongside a photo of the leafy plant. 

"Anyone know what I just planted?" they added.

"Japanese pachysandra," a fellow Redditor responded. "Can become aggressive and spread to wild areas. I would remove and trash it, personally."

Japanese pachysandra is one of many invasive species in parts of the U.S. While it can be gorgeous in its native areas, such as Japan or Korea, it can cause serious issues when brought to places where it can outcompete native species.

"Without active management of the designated planted area, Japanese pachysandra can quickly become out of control and spread to unintended areas," The Brandywine Conservancy observed.

Invasive species are a nuisance to both homeowners and the natural environment. A national forest in North Carolina had 11 acres of invasive plants pulled by conservationists, eradicating plants like kudzu to help the forest thrive.

To ensure invasive plants aren't brought into your area, rewilding your yard is a great step. The process involves planting native species, which will become a thriving part of the surrounding ecosystem. 

One native plant gardener shared how quickly his pollinator-friendly garden welcomed lush plants. 

As native plants generally flourish with little maintenance, they also help gardeners save on water use, harsh chemicals, time, and labor. Individuals seeking to take an extra eco-friendly step may choose to install native lawns, which utilize native grass and provide excellent habitats for local pollinators, thereby supporting the human food supply.

Should homeowners associations be able to determine what you grow in your garden? Yes 💯 Only if it impacts your neighbors 🏘️ Depends on what you're growing 🌼 Heck no 🙅 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Other commenters on the Reddit post shared their outlook on the invasive Japanese pachysandra.

One user said, "I've been fighting this for two years in my backyard (thanks to the previous owners). [It] spreads underground with roots and pops up everywhere."

"Why are we planting things in the ground before identifying?" another user added, criticizing the OP. "Prioritize the ecosystem." 

Luckily, the OP responded earnestly, saying, "You're right. I think I was just so excited to clean up my yard. … But you're right."

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