PlantLegitIowa: invasive & noxious plant laws
Iowa Code chapter 317 requires landowners to control or destroy the noxious weeds named in § 317.1A, enforced by county weed commissioners; counties may declare more weeds noxious locally. The law is a control duty, not a ban on growing or selling these plants (seed sold in Iowa must meet the separate Iowa seed law limits). Multiflora rose and shattercane are not noxious when cultivated as the statute describes.
Official sources
- Iowa Code § 317.1A (Iowa Legislature, 2026 Code, PDF)
- Iowa Code ch. 317 Weeds (PDF)
- Federal Noxious Weed List, 7 CFR § 360.200 (USDA APHIS) — applies in every state
Primary noxious weed (Iowa Code § 317.1A), control list — not a sale ban (12)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Elymus repens | quack grass |
| Sonchus arvensis | perennial sow thistle |
| Cirsium arvense | Canada thistle |
| Cirsium vulgare | bull thistle |
| Convolvulus arvensis | European morning glory, field bindweed |
| Solanum carolinense | horse nettle (a native plant) |
| Euphorbia esula | leafy spurge |
| Cardaria draba (syn. Lepidium draba) | perennial pepper-grass |
| Acroptilon repens | Russian knapweed |
| Rhamnus spp. (not Frangula alnus) | buckthorn |
| Cirsium spp. and Carduus spp. | all other thistles in these genera, including native Cirsium |
| Amaranthus palmeri | Palmer amaranth |
Secondary noxious weed (Iowa Code § 317.1A), control list — not a sale ban (14)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Abutilon theophrasti | butterprint, velvetleaf |
| Xanthium strumarium | cocklebur |
| Sinapis arvensis | wild mustard |
| Daucus carota | wild carrot |
| Plantago lanceolata | buckhorn |
| Rumex acetosella | sheep sorrel |
| Rumex crispus | sour dock |
| Rumex altissimus | smooth dock |
| Conium maculatum | poison hemlock |
| Rosa multiflora | multiflora rose — not noxious when cultivated as rose understock or garden ornamental, or where the county board says so |
| Helianthus annuus (wild strain) | wild sunflower |
| Tribulus terrestris | puncture vine |
| Dipsacus spp. | teasel |
| Sorghum bicolor | shattercane — not noxious when cultivated |
Check plants against Iowa 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.