Invasive Species Council of British Columbia

Grow Me Instead

English ivy (Hedera helix) grows fast and needs very little light or water. It even grows in winter. It can grow as a dense mat suppressing native plants or climbing up trees and choking them, leaving them more susceptible to wind.

English ivy

Grow Me Instead informs gardening enthusiasts about horticulture’s most “unwanted” invasive plants in British Columbia, while providing a variety of native and exotic plant alternatives found to be non-invasive across the province.

Whether you are adding new, attractive plants to your garden, starting a landscaping project, or removing invasive plants from your land, we hope this guide will be a valuable resource. By working together, we can ensure that future generations will enjoy the naturally beautiful landscape of BC, while nourishing sustainable communities, healthy ecosystems and vibrant gardens. The guide is also available as a PDF.

Find a Plant Alternative