Why pampas grass is forbidden in French gardens

People in France risk a fine of up to €150,000 and up to three years in prison if they have pampas grass in their gardens as it is considered to be an invasive species.

The plant - a tall grass with sharp edges and long, fluffy ‘feathers’; Latin name Cortaderia selloana - is very common across the country, and found particularly in Brittany, the south-west, and Mediterranean coast. 

However, since March 2, 2023, pampas grass has been listed as an espèce exotique envahissante (EEE, invasive exotic species). 

This means that it is effectively ‘banned’, and it is forbidden to bring it into the country, to own it, to transport it live, to market it, to use it, or to exchange it. 

The fine for non-compliance can reach up to €150,000 and up to three years in prison, state Articles L415-3 and R415-1 of the French environment code le Code de l’environnement. 

The fine is doubled if the offence is committed in a national park or nature reserve.

Read also: Plans for a new natural park in the south of France are taking shape
Read more: France's first national park is an outdoor haven 

Originally from South America, the grass was first introduced to France in the 18th Century, and used as an ornamental, decorative plant.

Why is pampas grass banned in France? 

• Highly invasive. One female plant can produce millions of seeds, which the wind then scatters over a very wide area. Germinated seeds can begin to grow in just three weeks, and take over an area.
• Biodiversity threat. The plant is also highly adaptable and can take water, soil nutrients, and light away from other, native plants. This makes it a risk to biodiversity.
• Health risk. The male plants produce millions of pollen grains that are very allergenic for those with grass allergies.
• Fire risk. It is also highly flammable which means that it can increase the risk and spread of wildfires, to the detriment of other species.

The plant is also banned at European level on “the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive exotic species”. 

What should I do if I have a pampas grass in my garden or property? 

The advice is to: 

• Uproot it if you can and dispose of it at a waste disposal site, making sure everything is tightly sealed in bin bags.
• If you cannot uproot it, you can cut the leaves and ‘feathers’ before they spread their seeds. Dispose of the offcuts in the same way (at a waste disposal site).

A full list of all plants considered to be invasive species in France can be found on the  official website of the Fédération Française du Paysage (FFP).