PlantLegitKentucky: invasive & noxious plant laws
Kentucky has no state list of plants banned from sale. KRS 176.051 requires the Transportation Cabinet's Department of Highways to keep state rights-of-way free of the noxious weeds and invasive plants it names, and to treat abutting rights-of-way when a neighboring landowner asks in writing. 603 KAR 3:100 (eff. Jan 25, 2022) added spotted knapweed and cutleaf teasel and deleted giant foxtail, leaving 12 species (KYTC's 2026 notice lists the same 12). The list is a highway control duty, not a ban on growing or selling these plants. Federal noxious weeds still apply.
Official sources
- KRS 176.051 (Kentucky General Assembly)
- 603 KAR 3:100 (Kentucky LRC)
- KYTC 2026 noxious weed program notice (PDF)
- Federal Noxious Weed List, 7 CFR § 360.200 (USDA APHIS) — applies in every state
Right-of-way noxious weed, control list (KRS 176.051; 603 KAR 3:100) — highway crews must eradicate it on state rights-of-way; not a sale ban (12)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Lonicera maackii | Amur honeysuckle |
| Cirsium arvense | Canada thistle |
| Dipsacus fullonum | common teasel |
| Dipsacus laciniatus | cutleaf teasel (added by 603 KAR 3:100) |
| Polygonum cuspidatum (syn. Reynoutria japonica) | Japanese knotweed |
| Sorghum halepense | Johnson grass |
| Pueraria montana | kudzu |
| Conyza canadensis | marestail (a native plant) |
| Rosa multiflora | multiflora rose |
| Carduus nutans | nodding (musk) thistle |
| Conium maculatum | poison hemlock |
| Centaurea stoebe | spotted knapweed (added by 603 KAR 3:100) |
Check plants against Kentucky 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.