Minnesota Noxious Weed List

Return to noxious weed program main menu

Minnesota Noxious Weed List

This is the official Minnesota noxious weed list. All species on the Minnesota noxious weed list include all hybrids, cultivars, and varieties unless specifically exempted.

Minnesota noxious weeds are annual, biennial, or perennial plants that the commissioner designates as having the potential or are known to be detrimental to human or animal health, the environment, public roads, crops, livestock, or other property. The Commissioner of Agriculture designates noxious weeds, under M.S. 18.771, into five categories. Descriptions of each category are included on this page.

The list is current and will be updated every three years, with the exception of an emergency listing. The most recent update was January 2023 and the next update will be in January 2026.

Prohibited Eradicate Noxious Weeds

The "prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds" category includes noxious weeds that must be eradicated on all lands within the state. Transportation of the propagating parts of prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds is prohibited except as allowed under section 18.82. Prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds may not be sold or propagated in Minnesota. Noxious weeds that are designated as prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds and placed on the prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds list are plants that are not currently known to be present in Minnesota or are not widely established in the state. All prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds must be eradicated.

Giant hogweed, Johnsongrass, and yellow starthistle are not known to be in Minnesota but have been determined to be a threat to invade the state.

Prohibited Control Noxious Weeds

The "prohibited-control noxious weeds" category includes noxious weeds that must be controlled on all lands within the state. Transportation of the propagating parts of prohibited-control noxious weeds is prohibited except as allowed under section 18.82. Prohibited-control noxious weeds may not be propagated or sold in Minnesota. Noxious weeds that are designated as prohibited-control noxious weeds and placed on the prohibited-control noxious weeds list are plants that are already established throughout the state or regions of the state. At a minimum, these species must be controlled in a way that prevents spread of these species by seed or vegetative means.

Restricted Noxious Weeds

The "restricted noxious weeds" category includes noxious weeds and their propagating parts that may not be imported, sold, or transported in the state, except as allowed by permit under section 18.82. Noxious weeds that are designated as restricted and placed on the restricted list may be plants that are widely distributed in Minnesota and for which a requirement of eradication or control would not be feasible on a statewide basis using existing practices.

These Japanese barberry cultivars banned from sale:

‘Anderson’ (Lustre Green™); ‘Angel Wings’; ‘Antares’; ‘Bailgreen’ (Jade Carousel®);‘Bailone’ (Ruby Carousel®); ‘Bailsel’ (Golden Carousel® - B. koreana × B. thunbergii hybrid); ‘Bailtwo’ (Burgundy Carousel®); B. thunbergii var. atropurpurea; ‘Crimson Velvet’; ‘Erecta’; ‘Gold Ring’; ‘Inermis’; ‘JN Redleaf’ (Ruby Jewel™); ‘JN Variegated’ (Stardust™); ‘Kelleris’; ‘Kobold’; ‘Marshall Upright’; ‘Monomb’ (Cherry Bomb™); ‘Painter’s Palette’; ‘Pow Wow’; ‘Red Rocket’; ‘Rose Glow’; ‘Silver Mile’; ‘Sparkle’; ‘Tara’ (Emerald Carousel® - B. koreana × B. thunbergii hybrid); Wild Type (parent species – green barberry)

All other Japanese barberry cultivars not listed above are legal to sell.

Specially Regulated Plants

The "specially regulated plants" category includes noxious weeds that may be native species or nonnative species that have demonstrated economic value, but also have the potential to cause harm in noncontrolled environments. Plants designated as specially regulated have been determined to pose ecological, economical, or human or animal health concerns. Species-specific management plans or rules that define the use and management requirements for these plants must be developed by the commissioner of agriculture for each plant designated as specially regulated. The commissioner must also take measures to minimize the potential for harm caused by these plants.

County Noxious Weeds

County noxious weeds are plants that are designated by individual county boards to be prohibited within the county’s jurisdiction and must be approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture, in consultation with the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee. Each county board must submit newly proposed County Noxious Weeds to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for review. Approved County Noxious Weeds shall also be posted with the county’s general weed notice prior to May 15th each year. Counties are solely responsible for developing County Noxious Weed lists and their enforcement. Contact your County Agricultural Inspector or County Designated Employee for more information or see a current listing of County Noxious Weeds.

Federal Noxious Weeds

Federal terrestrial and parasitic listed noxious weeds are prohibited in Minnesota.  Federal noxious weeds are selected and enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and can be reported to the local Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Office (APHIS) in Minneapolis, MN or to the MDA Noxious and Invasive Weed Program.  A list of federal noxious weeds and information about the federal weed program can be viewed at the USDA APHIS web site.