4 'aggressive' plants you should never grow or risk your home devaluing

Every homeowner dreams of a lush, green garden that's packed with a variety of plants and trees. However, according to a property expert, some plants could be "quietly wreaking havoc" on your home's structure. From cracked brickwork and fences to damaged drains, certain plants can cause serious problems when they are found in gardens.

According to the expert, some could even land you in legal trouble. Kevin Barzegar, a property expert at Kaybridge Residential, said: "I've seen properties lose thousands in value because of problematic plants. What starts as an innocent garden feature can turn into a nightmare that's expensive to fix and puts off potential buyers.

English Ivy might look charming, but according to Kevin, it is "one of the worst offenders".

He explained: "Those roots get into the smallest cracks and expand as they grow, causing serious damage to brickwork."

Removing it is a major job, but it's better done sooner rather than later. Instead, choose flowering climbers like roses or clematis.

Bamboo is a popular choice for many as it creates privacy screens. However, it has one of the most "aggressive" root systems. These systems spread horizontally underground quickly.

The property expert said: "I've seen bamboo roots travel several meters from where they were planted. They push through paving, damage structures, and can crack foundations."

Once established, they are hard to control, with the roots regenerating from tiny fragments, so if possible, get on top of this as soon as possible.

This invasive plant is every homeowner's nightmare, with mortgage lenders often treating properties with knotweed as high risk.

Kevin noted: "Japanese knotweed can make your property virtually unsellable. I've seen sales collapse and homes drop in value significantly because of it."

Under the UK's Wildlife and Countryside Act 1982, it's an offence to cause knotweed to spread into the wild, and if it encroaches onto a neighbour's property, you could face civil claims and costly removal.

Treatment typically takes years and, depending on the severity, can cost from £900 to £20,000, according to the expert.

While beautiful, planting one too close to your home could cause trouble. Their roots actively seek out water, heading straight for drains and pipes.

Kevin explained: "Willow roots can extend up to three times the height of the tree. A 10-metre willow could have roots spreading 30 metres, easily reaching underground pipes."

Plant willows at least 40 metres from buildings, or choose smaller trees like Japanese maples instead.