A beautiful garden can add thousands to your home's value, however, not every plant is an asset. Some fast-growing species can spread aggressively, damage foundations, and create maintenance headaches – all of which could make buyers think twice.
Below, discover the five plants that property experts warn could reduce your home's value, and why they can become so problematic.
1. Arrow bamboo (can reduce value by 15%)
Arrow bamboo may look like an attractive evergreen screen, but its underground root system can quickly become difficult to control.
‘Arrow bamboo is a tough, spreading evergreen bamboo, reaching up to six metres in height,’ says Karl McArdle, co-founder of The Property Buying Company. 'In warm, moist conditions, this can cause the creeping rootstock to produce new shoots away from the original plant, causing it to spread further than desired.'
If you choose to grow bamboo, installing a root barrier can help contain its spread. Regularly removing new shoots before they establish will also prevent the plant from creeping into neighbouring gardens or towards underground pipes.
2. Leyland cypress (15%)
While popular for creating privacy, Leyland cypress can soon become overwhelming.
‘Leyland cypress is a large, very fast-growing evergreen tree – but, if unchecked, they can reach heights of up to 30 metres tall, which means they have the potential to become a nuisance and will therefore require regular trimming to keep under control,’ explains Karl.
Regular pruning is essential to keep these trees manageable and prevent them from overshadowing neighbouring properties. Keeping hedges at a sensible height can also help avoid disputes with neighbours and maintain a balanced garden.
3. Cherry laurel (25%)
Cherry laurel is often planted as a hedge; however, its vigorous growth can create problems if neglected.
‘Cherry laurel is a large, spreading evergreen bush, with glossy leaves up to 15cm in length,’ says Karl. ‘If not pruned, it can form dense walls of foliage and, if trimmed poorly, it can suffer from powdery mildew, which can be unsightly and put buyers off, and if left to grow large, it can dry out the ground, causing subsidence.’
Pruning little and often will help maintain a healthy shape while reducing the risk of disease. If the shrub is growing close to your home, it's also worth monitoring its size to minimise any potential impact on surrounding soil.
4. Russian vine (10%)
Known for stretching incredibly fast, Russian vine can quickly take over fences, walls, and neighbouring plants.
‘Russian vine is a very vigorous woody, twining climber, which can grow up to 12 metres tall and spread up to eight metres wide,’ Karl tells us. ‘If pruning has not been carried out, it can quickly become too big for an average-sized garden and can cause issues such as damp, which can result in your property being devalued.’
This climber benefits from regular cutting back throughout the growing season to stop it overwhelming nearby plants and buildings. Training it carefully on sturdy supports can also help keep growth under control.
5. Lombardy poplar (25%)
Lombardy poplars create striking vertical features, but their size and powerful root systems make them unsuitable for many domestic gardens.
'This is a large, narrow tree growing up to 30 metres tall – however, due to its robust root system, it's important not to plant it in the vicinity of your property as it can cause a subsidence risk,' Karl explains.
If you're considering planting a tree near your home, choose a species with a less invasive root system and allow plenty of space for future growth. Existing mature poplars should also be professionally assessed if they're growing close to buildings or drains.
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