Sericea Lespedeza: The Invasive Plant You Should Never Grow
If you’ve been researching perennial plants for your garden, you might have come across sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). While this silvery-leaved plant might seem appealing at first glance, we need to have a serious chat about why this is one species you’ll want to avoid like the plague.
What Exactly is Sericea Lespedeza?
Sericea lespedeza is a perennial herb that grows as a forb – basically, it’s a non-woody plant that dies back to the ground each winter but returns from its roots each spring. You might also see it listed under several scientific synonyms, including Lespedeza sericea or Lespedeza serpens, but they’re all referring to the same problematic plant.
Originally from Eastern Asia, this plant has absolutely no business being in North American gardens or landscapes. It’s what we call a non-native species that reproduces spontaneously in the wild and persists without any human help – and boy, does it ever persist!
Where You’ll Find This Troublemaker
Unfortunately, sericea lespedeza has already spread far and wide across North America. You can find it growing wild in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and even Ontario, Canada and Hawaii.
The Invasion Alert: Why This Plant is Bad News
Here’s where things get serious. Sericea lespedeza isn’t just a harmless non-native – it’s officially recognized as invasive in multiple states:
- Alabama lists it as Category 1 invasive
- Missouri classifies it as invasive
- New Jersey has it listed as prohibited
- North Carolina considers it invasive
- Wisconsin also lists it as prohibited
When a plant gets slapped with prohibited status, that means it’s so problematic that it’s actually illegal to sell, distribute, or plant it in those areas. That should tell you everything you need to know about how destructive this species can be!
What Makes Sericea Lespedeza So Problematic?
This aggressive spreader takes over native plant communities and provides poor-quality habitat for wildlife. While it does offer some food value – large animals might get 5-10% of their diet from it, and birds might get 10-25% – it’s like junk food compared to the nutritious native plants it displaces.
The plant thrives in various conditions, typically preferring upland areas (it rarely grows in wetlands). This adaptability is part of what makes it such a successful invader.
Our Strong Recommendation: Just Don’t
We cannot stress this enough: do not plant sericea lespedeza. Period. Full stop. Even if it’s not yet listed as invasive in your specific area, the widespread recognition of its problematic nature should be warning enough.
If you’re looking for plants that provide wildlife benefits and can handle tough conditions, there are plenty of fantastic native alternatives that won’t take over your landscape or escape into wild areas. Consider native lespedeza species like Lespedeza violacea (violet bush-clover) or other native legumes that provide similar benefits without the invasive baggage.
If You Already Have It: Time for Action
If you discover sericea lespedeza already growing on your property, contact your local extension office or native plant society for guidance on safe removal methods. Don’t just pull it up and toss it in your compost – that could spread the problem further.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes in gardening, the kindest thing we can do for our environment is to simply say no to certain plants. Sericea lespedeza is definitely one of those plants. Your local ecosystems, wildlife, and future generations will thank you for choosing native alternatives that support rather than harm the natural communities around us.
Remember: good gardeners are stewards of the land, not just collectors of pretty plants. Let’s keep it that way!
