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Is Purple loosestrife illegal in Texas?
Sources (5)
- TDA figure: 4 TAC § 19.300(a) list (PDF) – Texas Department of Agriculture
- 4 Tex. Admin. Code § 19.300 (rule text) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
- TDA — Noxious and Invasive Plants – Texas Department of Agriculture
- TPWD prohibited exotic aquatic plants – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Texas Register 38 TexReg 1386 (Mar. 1, 2013), figure as adopted – Portal to Texas History, University of North Texas
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 Texas's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noxious plant (4 TAC § 19.300(a)) | Lythrum salicaria | purple loosestrife | Legally regulated — restrictions apply |
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?
Noxious-weed rules can require control or restrict moving the plant (including soil, seed and cuttings). Check the exact wording above and the linked law.
Native alternatives for Texas
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Each is recorded as native to Texas 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 Tennessee Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
See every plant on Texas'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.