Important partners in helping to prevent invasive species introductions
Invasive species cause recreational, economic and ecological damage—changing how residents and visitors use and enjoy Minnesota waters. Businesses in the live plant and animal trades can take these actions to protect Minnesota waters from new introductions of invasive species.
Are you a water gardener or horticulture hobbyist? Visit our responsible buyer page.
Ensure your business does not buy or sell prohibited invasive species
The following prohibited invasive plants and animals have been documented in the horticulture trade and are illegal to possess or sell in Minnesota. Additional species that are illegal to possess and sell include all Minnesota prohibited invasive species, state and federal noxious weeds and federally-listed injurious wildlife. The DNR is pursuing prohibited status for species marked with an asterisk (*), though these species are not yet prohibited.
Learn more about invasive species and your business with this new poster!
Aquatic Plants
- African elodea (Lagarosiphon major)
- Common reed* (Phragmites australis subsp. australis)
- Curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
- Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
- European frog-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)
- Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus)
- Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
- Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
- Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
- Yellow floating-heart* (Nymphoides peltata)
- Water soldier (Stratiotes aloides)
- Water chestnut (Trapa natans)
Animals
- Eastern mosquitofish* (Gambusia holbrooki)
- Eurasian minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus)
- Golden freshwater clam* (Corbicula fluminea)
- Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
- Jumping worms* (Amynthas and Metaphire spp.)
- Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
- Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)
Remind your customers not to release non-native organisms into the wild
It is illegal to release most non-native animals and plants into a free-living state in Minnesota. Remind your customers not to release non-native organisms outside of contained gardens and provide them with alternatives to release.
Sign up for our Horticulture Trade email list
Sign up for the DNR’s email list specifically for horticultural businesses to stay up-to-date on new information, resources, and changes in regulations related to invasive species.
Related Links
- Habitattitude™
- Minnesota Water Garden Society
- Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture Nursery Inspection and Certification Program
- Canadian Council on Invasive Species Voluntary Code of Conduct for the Ornamental Horticulture Industry
- Pond and Aquarium Hobbyists Survey Report
