New homeowner pleads for guidance after finding harmful plant growing in yard: 'Is there a ... better approach?'

Not every plant species that tries to take over your yard is tough to look at.

A homeowner took to Reddit to ask for advice on how to get rid of an invasive plant. Members of the r/landscaping subreddit community identified the plant as ruellia, also known as the Mexican petunia.

The plant is notorious for its rapid spread and resistance to conventional control methods.

"Just bought a house and have several areas full of this quite invasive plant, which is way overgrown and taking over parts of the lawn as well," the OP wrote.

They were worried, however, about possible regrowth. They listed a possible plan to cut the plant down to the base and spray it if it began to grow back.

Having mixed feelings about glyphosate, a widely used herbicide linked to cancer and hormone disruption, the homeowner asked, "Is there a better spray or better approach?"

One commenter said most weeds are actually pretty easy to hand pull.

"Most gardening is done by hand. It's pretty easy, just a lot of labor," they said.

While the plant is highly invasive in Florida and other southern states, some commenters noted that it is great for pollinators.

"[Ruellia] does very well with little water and is great for attracting pollinators. It is best used in areas where spread can be confined," one person said. "There are many natives for various zones that would work well as a companion to these."

What's the hardest thing about taking care of your yard? Mowing the lawn 🏡 Controlling weeds 🌿 Keeping pests at bay 🐿️ I don't have a yard 🤷 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Ruellia is quite beautiful, with green stems and leaves with purple flower blossoms that resemble trumpets. Nevertheless, in some areas of the United States, it can take over your garden.

Many gardeners say the better solution is to go native. Landscaping with native plants has many benefits: they're adapted to local conditions, meaning they need less water, less fertilizer, and far less upkeep.

They're also great for pollinators and can be integral in restoring ecological balance, as biodiversity is crucial.

For homeowners frustrated by unrelenting invasive plants, this Reddit thread serves as a reminder: Choose plants for your garden that naturally belong.

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