Invasive Plant Rules in Houston, TX (2026)
3 verified invasive plant rules for Houston, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Bamboo Restrictions
Texas and Houston do not have specific bamboo-prohibiting laws. Running bamboo is legal to plant but can become a nuisance if it spreads to neighboring property. Houston's warm climate (USDA Zone 9a) allows aggressive growth of running bamboo species. Property owners may face civil liability for encroachment.
Houston Bamboo Restrictions
Few RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code §§ 71.151–71.153 (Noxious and Invasive Plants; Local Regulation)
SUBCHAPTER D. NOXIOUS AND INVASIVE PLANTS. Sec. 71.151. LIST REQUIRED. (a) The department by rule shall publish a list of noxious and invasive plant species that have serious potential to cause economic or ecological harm to the state. Sec. 71.152. NOXIOUS OR INVASIVE PLANT SALE, DISTRIBUTION, OR IMPORTATION PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person sells, distributes, or...
Prohibited Species
Texas regulates invasive plants through the Texas Agriculture Code and the Texas Department of Agriculture's noxious weed list. Harris County has additional concerns about specific aquatic invasives. The Texas Invasive Species Institute tracks problem species in the Houston region.
Houston Prohibited Invasive Plant Species
Some RestrictionsFront Yard Gardens
Houston permits front yard gardens including vegetable gardens on residential property. With no zoning ordinance, Houston has fewer land use restrictions than most cities. Deed restrictions in specific neighborhoods may limit garden types. The City encourages urban agriculture and community gardening.
Houston Front Yard Garden Regulations
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code § 202.007
Sec. 202.007. CERTAIN RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS PROHIBITEDGoReset Texas Constitution and Statutes chevron_right Texas Constitution chevron_right Agriculture Code chevron_right Alcoholic Beverage Code chevron_right Auxiliary Water Laws chevron_right Business & Commerce Code chevron_right Business Organizations Code chevron_right Civil Practice and Remedies Code chevron_right Code of Criminal Procedu...
Looking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Houston city rules.
Invasive Plant Rules in Harris County →