PlantLegitAlabama: invasive & noxious plant laws
New laws coming: several states phase in plant bans 2027–2030. See dates and sources →
Alabama's Noxious Weed Rules, Ala. Admin. Code ch. 80-10-14 (Department of Agriculture and Industries, under Code of Ala. § 2-25-4), prohibit moving any Class A, B or C noxious weed, or any article infested with one, into or within Alabama except under a certificate or limited permit. Class A includes every federal noxious weed (7 CFR 360.200), which covers cogongrass and tropical soda apple. Rule text unchanged since 2000.
Official sources
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 80-10-14 Noxious Weed Rules (Alabama Legislature, PDF)
- ADAI Plant Protection — noxious weed rules (PDF)
- Federal Noxious Weed List, 7 CFR § 360.200 (USDA APHIS) — applies in every state
Class A noxious weed (Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.04) — no movement into or within Alabama; also all federal noxious weeds (5)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Alliaria petiolata | garlic mustard |
| Dioscorea bulbifera | air-potato |
| Lygodium microphyllum | Old World climbing fern |
| Polygonum perfoliatum (syn. Persicaria perfoliata) | mile-a-minute |
| Tussilago farfara | coltsfoot |
Class B noxious weed (r. 80-10-14-.04) — no movement into or within Alabama (3)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Lygodium japonicum | Japanese climbing fern |
| Lythrum salicaria | purple loosestrife |
| Paederia foetida | skunk vine |
Class C noxious weed (r. 80-10-14-.04) — no movement into or within Alabama (20)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Alternanthera philoxeroides | alligatorweed (rule spells "Althernanthera") |
| Cardiospermum halicacabum | balloon vine |
| Egeria densa | Brazilian elodea |
| Potamogeton crispus | curlyleaf pondweed |
| Eichhornia crassipes | floating water hyacinth |
| Fatoua villosa | hairy crabgrass, mulberry weed |
| Microstegium vimineum | Mary's grass, Japanese stiltgrass |
| Myriophyllum aquaticum | parrotfeather |
| Myriophyllum spicatum | Eurasian watermilfoil |
| Ornithogalum umbellatum | star of Bethlehem |
| Panicum repens | torpedo grass |
| Phragmites australis | phragmites, common reed (the rule does not separate the native subspecies) |
| Phyllanthus tenellus | longstalked phyllanthus |
| Phyllanthus urinaria | chamberbitter |
| Polygonum cuspidatum (syn. Reynoutria japonica) | Japanese knotweed |
| Rosa multiflora | multiflora rose |
| Najas minor | spinyleaf naiad |
| Stratiotes aloides | water-aloe |
| Pistia stratiotes | water-lettuce |
| Trapa natans | water chestnut |
Check plants against Alabama law →
Informational only, not legal advice. Lists change; always check the official source linked above before you buy, sell, plant or move a plant. Lists checked 2026-10-14.
Is it illegal in Alabama? Quick answers
Is Japanese knotweed illegal?Is Multiflora rose illegal?Is Purple loosestrife illegal?
Native swaps for Alabama
Instead of Japanese knotweedInstead of Multiflora roseInstead of Purple loosestrife