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Is Japanese knotweed illegal in Iowa?
Sources (3)
- Iowa Code § 317.1A (Iowa Legislature, 2026 Code, PDF)
- Iowa Code ch. 317 Weeds (PDF) – Iowa Legislature
- Iowa Code § 317.25 — invasive plants prohibited: no import, sale, offer for sale or distribution (teasel, multiflora rose, purple loosestrife, garlic mustard, Oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, Japanese hop, Palmer amaranth) – Iowa Legislature
Also called: Reynoutria (Fallopia) japonica. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-15.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Japanese knotweed is not listed.
What Iowa's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive plant sale ban (Iowa Code § 317.25) — no importing, selling, offering for sale or distributing in any form, including seeds | Fallopia japonica | Japanese knotweed | Yes — listed as prohibited |
Effective dates
- The official list entry does not state a separate effective date for this species. See the linked law for when the listing took effect.
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 Iowa
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
- American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
- Silky dogwood (Cornus amomum)
- Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
- Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Each is recorded as native to Iowa 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 knotweed in other states
Alabama California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Idaho Illinois Indiana Kentucky Maine Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New York Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin
See every plant on Iowa'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.