Giant Hogweed was introduced to the UK from the Caucasus region in the 19th century as an ornamental plant. Since then, it has become highly invasive, especially in areas like riverbanks, railway lines, disused land, and other damp environments.
How to identify Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed is a striking plant that can grow up to 3 to 5 metres tall. Key features include:
- Large umbrella-shaped flower heads up to 50 cm wide, made up of hundreds of small white flowers.
- Dark green, jagged leaves that can grow up to 1.5 metres wide, often with spiky ends.
- Green stems with purple blotches and fine hairs; stems are hollow.
- Clusters of large seeds (approx. 10 mm x 7 mm) that spread easily via water.
Note: In its early years, the plant may not produce a flowering shoot.
Health risks
Giant Hogweed contains phototoxic sap in its stems and leaves. Contact with skin followed by exposure to sunlight can cause:
- Painful blisters
- Severe skin irritation
- Long-lasting sensitivity (reactions may recur for years)
If you come into contact:
- Cover the affected skin from sunlight immediately.
- Wash the area with cold water as soon as possible.
- Seek medical advice if blisters develop or if contact is with the eyes.
Legal information
- It is not illegal to have Giant Hogweed on your land.
- You are not required to report it or remove it.
- However, you must not allow it to spread beyond your property. This includes:
- Moving contaminated soil
- Improper disposal of plant material
What you can do
If Giant Hogweed is on your property:
- You are encouraged to control its spread to prevent problems in your neighbourhood.
- While homeowners can carry out control, we recommend using a specialist company due to the plant’s hazardous nature.
- Do not dispose of Giant Hogweed in household waste or green waste collections.
For guidance on preventing the spread of invasive plants, visit GOV.UK.
Neighbouring land
If Giant Hogweed is present on neighbouring land or gardens, we suggest contacting the landowner directly. They may already be taking steps to manage it.
Reporting Giant Hogweed in Salford
If you’re concerned about Giant Hogweed on land in Salford:
- Let us know if it’s on council-owned land – we will include it in our treatment programme.
- We do not treat Giant Hogweed on privately owned land. You’ll need to contact the landowner.
- You can find land ownership information on the councils interactive map.
This page was last updated on 11 September 2025