PlantLegitNew Mexico: invasive & noxious plant laws
New laws coming: several states phase in plant bans 2027–2030. See dates and sources →
Under the Noxious Weed Management Act of 1998 (NMSA 76-7D), the New Mexico Department of Agriculture designates noxious weeds to be targeted for control or eradication; the current list was issued in June 2020. The list is a management tool, not a sale ban. NMDA also keeps an unregulated watch list (not shown). Seed sold in New Mexico must be free of prohibited noxious weed seed under the separate seed rules.
Official sources
- NMDA — New Mexico noxious weed list memo and list, June 2020 (PDF)
- NMDA — noxious weeds
- Federal Noxious Weed List, 7 CFR § 360.200 (USDA APHIS) — applies in every state
Class A noxious weed (NMDA list, June 2020), control list — prevent and eradicate — not a sale ban (18)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Hyoscyamus niger | black henbane |
| Alhagi pseudalhagi | camelthorn |
| Cirsium arvense | Canada thistle |
| Linaria dalmatica | Dalmatian toadflax |
| Centaurea diffusa | diffuse knapweed |
| Isatis tinctoria | dyer's woad |
| Salvinia molesta | giant salvinia |
| Cardaria spp. | hoary cress |
| Euphorbia esula | leafy spurge |
| Leucanthemum vulgare | oxeye daisy |
| Lythrum salicaria | purple loosestrife |
| Centaurea calcitrapa | purple starthistle |
| Saccharum ravennae | Ravenna grass |
| Matricaria perforata | scentless chamomile |
| Onopordum acanthium | Scotch thistle |
| Centaurea biebersteinii (syn. C. stoebe) | spotted knapweed |
| Centaurea solstitialis | yellow starthistle |
| Linaria vulgaris | yellow toadflax |
Class B noxious weed (NMDA list, June 2020), control list — contain — not a sale ban (10)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Peganum harmala | African rue |
| Cirsium vulgare | bull thistle |
| Cichorium intybus | chicory |
| Halogeton glomeratus | halogeton |
| Centaurea melitensis | Malta starthistle |
| Lepidium latifolium | perennial pepperweed |
| Conium maculatum | poison hemlock |
| Elytrigia repens | quackgrass |
| Xanthium spinosum | spiny cocklebur |
| Dipsacus fullonum | teasel |
Class C noxious weed (NMDA list, June 2020), control list — managed locally — not a sale ban (13)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Bromus tectorum | cheatgrass |
| Potamogeton crispus | curlyleaf pondweed |
| Myriophyllum spicatum | Eurasian watermilfoil |
| Arundo donax | giant cane |
| Hydrilla verticillata | hydrilla |
| Aegilops cylindrica | jointed goatgrass |
| Carduus nutans | musk thistle |
| Myriophyllum aquaticum | parrotfeather |
| Acroptilon repens | Russian knapweed |
| Elaeagnus angustifolia | Russian olive |
| Tamarix spp. | saltcedar |
| Ulmus pumila | Siberian elm |
| Ailanthus altissima | tree of heaven |
Check plants against New Mexico 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.