PlantLegitNew Jersey: invasive & noxious plant laws
New Jersey's Invasive Species Management Act (signed January 8, 2026) bans propagation of the listed plants from January 1, 2027, and their sale, distribution and export from January 1, 2030, unless NJDEP issues a conditional use waiver. Implementing rules (N.J.A.C. 2:19-3) are listed by NJDA as “coming soon”. A few barberry and silvergrass cultivars are exempt but must be labelled (see exemptions). List as published by the NJ Department of Agriculture (two names corrected for spelling: Humulus japonicus, Lespedeza cuneata).
Official sources
- NJ Dept. of Agriculture — Invasive Species (prohibited list and exemptions)
- NJDA 2026 nursery law summary (PDF)
- Federal Noxious Weed List, 7 CFR § 360.200 (USDA APHIS) — applies in every state
Prohibited invasive species (Invasive Species Management Act, 2026) (30)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Acer platanoides | Norway maple |
| Ailanthus altissima | Tree of heaven |
| Albizia julibrissin | Mimosa (silk) tree |
| Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata | Porcelain berry |
| Aralia elata | Japanese angelica tree |
| Berberis thunbergii | Japanese barberry |
| Clematis terniflora | Japanese clematis |
| Elaeagnus umbellata | Autumn olive |
| Eragrostis curvula | Weeping lovegrass |
| Euonymus alatus | Winged burning bush |
| Hedera helix | English ivy |
| Humulus japonicus | Japanese hop |
| Ligustrum vulgare | European privet |
| Lonicera maackii | Amur honeysuckle |
| Lonicera morrowii | Morrow's honeysuckle |
| Lythrum salicaria | Purple loosestrife |
| Malus toringo | Japanese crabapple |
| Miscanthus sinensis | Chinese silvergrass |
| Myriophyllum spicatum | Eurasian water-milfoil |
| Photinia villosa | Oriental photinia |
| Pyrus calleryana | Callery (Bradford) pear |
| Rhamnus cathartica | Common buckthorn |
| Rhodotypos scandens | Jetbead |
| Rosa multiflora | Multiflora rose |
| Trapa natans | European water chestnut |
| Viburnum sieboldii | Siebold's arrowwood |
| Wisteria floribunda | Japanese wisteria |
| Wisteria sinensis | Chinese wisteria |
| Lespedeza cuneata | Sericea lespedeza |
| Phyllostachys spp. | Running bamboo |
Exempt cultivars (7)
These named cultivars are exempt from the listing above (official source). The species itself remains listed.
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea' | exempt; must be labelled |
| Berberis thunbergii 'UCONNBTCP4N' | exempt; must be labelled |
| Berberis thunbergii 'UCONNBTB113' | exempt; must be labelled |
| Berberis thunbergii 'UCONNBTB048' | exempt; must be labelled |
| Berberis thunbergii 'UCONNBTB039' | exempt; must be labelled |
| Miscanthus sinensis 'NCMS1' | exempt; must be labelled |
| Miscanthus sinensis 'Tift M77' | exempt; must be labelled |
Check plants against New Jersey 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.