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Is Japanese honeysuckle illegal in Wisconsin?
Sources (3)
Also called: Hall's honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Japanese honeysuckle is not listed.
What Wisconsin's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited invasive plant (Wis. Admin. Code NR 40) — no possession, transport, transfer or introduction without a DNR permit | Lonicera japonica | Japanese honeysuckle (listed 9/1/2009) | Yes — listed as prohibited |
Effective dates
- listed 9/1/2009 (from the official list entry)
Already have it in your yard?
Most state invasive-plant laws, including the list wording above, target selling, distributing, propagating or planting. They generally do not order you to remove a plant already in your yard, but some noxious-weed laws do require control. Read the linked law or ask your county Extension office.
Native alternatives for Wisconsin
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
- Virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana)
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Each is recorded as native to Wisconsin in the USDA NRCS PLANTS Database state distribution (retrieved 2026-10-14). Check size, sun and soil fit for your site with your local Extension office.
More native swaps with hardiness, light and size →
Japanese honeysuckle in other states
Connecticut Delaware Florida Illinois Indiana Maine Massachusetts Minnesota Missouri New Hampshire New York Ohio Vermont Virginia
See every plant on Wisconsin's invasive & noxious plant lists, or check any plant.
Not legal advice. PlantLegit summarizes official lists and links the source. Laws change, local (county/city) rules may add restrictions, and the official text controls. "What it means" is our plain-English label; read the exact list wording. Confirm with the agency before buying, selling or removing plants. Full disclaimer.