The Buddleia plant, often called the 'bombsite plant', is causing significant property damage across the UK, with costs reaching up to £1 million. Unlike Japanese knotweed, which spreads underground, Buddleia produces up to three million lightweight seeds annually that travel on wind currents, settling in high-altitude crevices with minimal soil.
How Buddleia Damages Property
Once established, the plant's expanding root system acts like a wedge, forcing open mortar joints, cracks in foundations, and compromising wall stability. It is not listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, making it legal to sell and grow across the UK, which allows its continued spread.
Professional Control Recommended
Jennifer Holmes from Environment Controls advised against DIY removal: “Many people search for DIY options and ask if Buddleia can be killed by cutting it down. But simply cutting the shrub to ground level rarely provides a permanent solution because regrowth commonly occurs from the remaining root system.” She recommends professional chemical treatment or digging up the plant, depending on its size, location, and future site use.
Warning Signs for Gardeners
Homeowners should watch for green shoots, white or purple flower spikes emerging from brickwork, guttering, window sills, or chimney pots. Other signs include flaking mortar, loose bricks, or expanding cracks around the plant, and stems that regrow aggressively within weeks of cutting. If Buddleia takes root in walls, specialists should be hired to remove it and minimise building damage.
