Florida Invasive Plants

In this video, we dive into eight invasive species in Florida that you can actually do something about—right in your own backyard or woodlot. From the stubborn Coral ardisia, with its waxy leaves and addictive root-pulling satisfaction, to the air potato, Florida’s infamous “vine from hell” (and the inspiring biocontrol beetle story), we show hands-on methods anyone can use. For landowners, we break down why Cogongrass is one of the most critical to spot early and how to stop it before it becomes an unstoppable yellow-green carpet. You’ll see how to battle sneaky climbers like cat’s claw, take down small invaders like golden rain tree with tools like the ExtractiGator, and why herbicide is sometimes the “lesser evil” for trees like Chinese tallow. We’ll also cover proper ID tips for tuberous sword fern, often confused with native ferns, and the aromatic yet highly invasive camphor tree. This isn’t just about awareness—it’s about action, with real steps you can take to help Florida’s native ecosystems bounce back.