What is it?
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a fast-growing, invasive plant originally introduced to the UK from East Asia in the mid-19th century. It was admired for its ornamental appearance and ability to stabilise soil, but it quickly escaped cultivation and spread into the wild.
Today, Japanese Knotweed is considered one of the most damaging invasive species in the UK. It thrives in a wide range of environments and can grow rapidly, forming dense thickets that overwhelm native plants and cause serious structural damage.
You can identify Japanese Knotweed using the Non-Native Species Secretariat guide.
Why it’s a problem
Japanese Knotweed:
- Can grow through concrete, brick, and tarmac, damaging buildings, roads, and flood defences.
- Forms dense clusters that crowd out native plants and wildlife.
- Is extremely difficult to remove without specialist treatment.
Legal information
- It is not illegal to have Japanese Knotweed on your land.
- You are not required to report it or remove it.
- However, you must not:
- Allow it to spread onto neighbouring land – the affected landowner could take legal action.
- Plant or encourage its spread outside your property – this includes moving contaminated soil or plant material.
You could be prosecuted if you allow Japanese Knotweed to spread from your land.
What you should do
On your property
You are encouraged to control Japanese Knotweed to prevent it becoming a wider issue.
- Visit GOV.UK for advice on control and disposal.
- Do not:
- Put any part of the plant in your green garden waste bin, black wheelie bin, or compost.
- Take it to a tip, recycling centre, or waste transfer station.
- Dump or fly-tip cuttings.
If you are a tenant, report Japanese Knotweed to your housing association or landlord.
On neighbouring land
If you’re concerned about Japanese Knotweed on a neighbour’s property:
- Try to speak with them directly – they may not be aware of the issue.
- If the problem continues, you may consider legal action. See take action through the courts on GOV.UK.
Near railways
If you find Japanese Knotweed near a railway line, embankment, or station, contact Network Rail to request treatment.
Reporting Japanese Knotweed in Salford
If you’re concerned about Japanese Knotweed on land in Salford:
- Let us know if it’s on council-owned land – we will include it in our treatment programme. You can check which land is owned by the council on our interactive maps.
- We do not treat Japanese Knotweed on privately owned land. You’ll need to contact the landowner.
- You can find land ownership information on the GOV.UK website.
This page was last updated on 12 September 2025