How to Get Rid of Nandina for Good

Nandina also known as heavenly bamboo is a popular landscaping shrub known for its airy foliage and bright red berries. While beautiful, it has become an invasive species in many parts of the southern United States. If you have nandina growing on your property, you may be wondering how to get rid of it for good. The truth is, getting rid of nandina takes effort and persistence, but it can be done!

Why Get Rid of Nandina?

There are a few key reasons you may want to remove nandina from your yard:

• It spreads aggressively. Nandina expands rapidly through seeds and underground rhizomes. Left unchecked, it can quickly take over gardens and yards.

• It’s invasive. Nandina has spread from cultivation into natural areas in many southern states It crowds out native plants and disrupts ecosystems Many areas now prohibit the sale and planting of nandina to limit its spread.

• It contains toxins. All parts of the nandina plant contain hydrocyanic acid, which can be toxic to livestock and humans if consumed. The berries also contain alkaloids that are toxic to birds.

• It harbors pests. Nandina is prone to infestations of root knot nematodes and other pests. These can spread to other plants in your yard. Getting rid of nandina breaks this pest cycle.

How to Remove Established Nandina

Removing established nandina plants takes persistence. Here are some effective methods:

Dig it Out

For young plants or isolated clumps, digging out nandina entirely may be feasible. Use a shovel, pick, or garden fork to loosen the soil and extract as much of the root system as possible. Removing deep roots can help prevent regrowth.

Cut and Tarp

Cut all stems to ground level using loppers or a saw. Cover the remaining roots with a heavy black plastic tarp or landscape fabric secured with stakes or rocks. Leave the tarp in place for up to a year to block light and kill the roots.

Cut and Treat with Herbicide

Cut all canes as close to the ground as possible. Immediately apply a concentrated glyphosate or triclopyr herbicide to the cut stump. This will translocate down through the roots to kill the plant. Monitor for and remove any new growth.

Repeated foliar spraying

Spray all nandina foliage thoroughly with an herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr. Repeat applications will likely be needed as new growth appears to exhaust the plant’s stored energy reserves.

Combine methods

For large infestations, combine cutting/tarping/herbicide treatments. It often takes repeated applications over 1-3 growing seasons to fully eradicate established nandina. Don’t leave any stems or roots behind to resprout.

Tips for Cutting Nandina

• Cut stems as close to the ground as possible. Nandina stems are very brittle and prone to snapping. If it does, make a clean cut below the snap.

• Treat the freshly cut stump surface with herbicide within 5 minutes after cutting. This allows maximum herbicide uptake through the live plant tissues.

• Wear protective gloves, long sleeves, pants, and eyewear when cutting nandina to avoid skin and eye irritation from plant sap.

• Time cuttings for when the plant is actively growing to ensure herbicide effectiveness. Fall or early spring are ideal times.

• Always follow herbicide label directions carefully for application rate and technique. More concentrated applications may be required for effective stump treatments.

• Monitor treated areas closely for any new sprouts or seedlings. Pull these immediately while small to prevent reinfestation.

Control Methods for Nandina Seedlings

Nandina spreads readily from seed, so watch closely for young sprouts around established plants or in areas where birds have deposited the berries. Control methods for new seedlings include:

• Manually dig up or pull small sprouts, removing all root tissue.

• For larger plants, cut stems at ground level and treat stump with concentrated herbicide.

• Spot treat seedlings using a small brush or cotton swab dipped in glyphosate or triclopyr concentrate. Avoid contacting desired plants.

• Apply pre-emergent herbicides like indaziflam early in the growing season to prevent nandina seeds from germinating.

• Mulch garden areas to block light and suppress emergence of new nandina seedlings.

Prevention of Nandina Spread

To avoid infestation by nandina, consider these prevention tips:

• Do not purchase or plant nandina in your landscape

• Remove nandina plants already present on your property

• Avoid purchasing mulch or compost that may contain nandina debris

• Monitor areas near woodlands or natural areas for spread of wild nandina populations

• Advocate for inclusion of nandina on invasive plant lists prohibiting sale and distribution

• Share information with neighbors and community groups about nandina’s impacts

• Support early detection programs that identify and remove infestations before they spread

• Volunteer with public lands managers to remove nandina through weed pull events

Nandina is notoriously hard to eradicate once established. But with persistence and the right control methods, you can get rid of nandina over time. Combine manual removal, tarping, repeated cutting and herbicide treatments for best results. Stay vigilant for seedlings and remnants that can resprout. Replant cleared areas with non-invasive plants to help prevent nandina from returning. With diligence, we can stop the spread of this aggressive invader in our southern landscapes.