Invasive & Non-Native Plants in Illinois
These non-native plants are among the most commonly recorded spreading in Illinois. Many crowd out the plants local wildlife depends on. The good news: there's a native you can plant instead.
Garlic mustard
4,202 sightingsAlliaria petiolata · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.
Ground ivy
4,157 sightingsGlechoma hederacea · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.
Amur honeysuckle
3,513 sightingsLonicera maackii · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: Grape honeysuckle, Limber honeysuckle, Trumpet honeysuckle (native Lonicera)
Queen Anne's lace
3,376 sightingsDaucus carota · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.
Chicory
2,899 sightingsCichorium intybus · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.
Red clover
2,769 sightingsTrifolium pratense · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: Buffalo clover, Running buffalo clover, Tomcat clover (native Trifolium)
Climbing nightshade
2,502 sightingsSolanum dulcamara · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: Carolina horsenettle, American black nightshade, Cutleaf nightshade (native Solanum)
Dames rocket
2,426 sightingsHesperis matronalis · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.
Common mullein
2,368 sightingsVerbascum thapsus · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.
Multiflora rose
2,317 sightingsRosa multiflora · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: Carolina rose, Climbing rose, Swamp rose (native Rosa)
White clover
2,237 sightingsTrifolium repens · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: Buffalo clover, Running buffalo clover, Tomcat clover (native Trifolium)
Cutleaf teasel
2,071 sightingsDipsacus laciniatus · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.
Canada thistle
1,956 sightingsCirsium arvense · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: Field thistle, Tall thistle, Swamp thistle (native Cirsium)
Siberian squill
1,934 sightingsScilla siberica · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.
Bird's-foot trefoil
1,837 sightingsLotus corniculatus · non-native to the U.S.
Plant instead: a Illinois native that fits the same spot.