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Is Purple loosestrife illegal in Tennessee?
Sources (3)
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0080-06-24 Pest Plant Regulations (Tennessee Secretary of State, PDF rev. April 2009)
- Tennessee SOS — Department of Agriculture rules index – Tennessee Secretary of State (Rules)
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-24-.02 Pest Plant List (LII) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
Also called: Lythrum salicaria. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Purple loosestrife is not listed.
What Tennessee's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pest plant (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-24-.02) — may not be propagated, sold, offered for sale or released | Lythrum salicaria, Lythrum virgatum and related cultivars | purple loosestrife | 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 Tennessee
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
- Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
- New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis)
- Sweet Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Each is recorded as native to Tennessee 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 →
Purple loosestrife in other states
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Idaho Illinois Louisiana Maine Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
See every plant on Tennessee'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.