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Georgia
Is hydrilla banned in Georgia?
Yes. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is on the Georgia list “Designation of noxious weeds (Federal Noxious Weed List)”, group “Aquatic and wetland weeds”. Listed plants may not be sold or distributed in Georgia (Live Plant Regulations, Rule 40-4-9-.11(b)).
Photo: Great egret wading among pickerelweed on an open prairie in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. David Wilson, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
What the Georgia rule says about hydrilla
This is the entry that bans hydrilla from sale in Georgia, with the rule text as recorded.
| Plant as printed | Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla) |
| List | Designation of noxious weeds (Federal Noxious Weed List) |
| Agency | USDA APHIS |
| Citation | 7 CFR 360.200; made enforceable for plant sales in Georgia by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-9-.11(b) and incorporated in seed law by 40-12-4-.01(d) |
| Class | Aquatic and wetland weeds |
| Rule date | November 10, 2010 |
| What the rule says | Federal noxious weeds (7 CFR 360) may not be moved interstate or imported without a federal permit. In Georgia, the Live Plant Regulations make it an unlawful act to sell or distribute any plant listed on the Federal Noxious Weed list (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-9-.11(b); 40-4-9-.01(h) defines Federal Noxious Weed as "Any plant listed under Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 360"), and the Georgia seed rule forbids their seed or propagules being intermixed with seed for sale (40-12-4-.01(d)). The CFR note says a scientific name "is intended to include all subordinate taxa within the taxon". |
Text recorded from the official rule, read November 12, 2026. Scientific names are copied as printed.

Autumn color around a quiet cove at Richard B. Russell State Park
Other Georgia lists that name hydrilla
| List | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Invasive Species Strategy, Appendix A: Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia (plants) | Advisory list | Advisory list; it has no legal effect. |
Is hydrilla banned in other states?
| State | Hydrilla banned from sale? | List |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | No | Named only on the federal noxious weed list |
| Georgia | Yes | 7 CFR 360.200, Aquatic and wetland weeds |
| North Carolina | Yes | 7 CFR 360.200, Aquatic and wetland weeds |
| Texas | Yes | 4 Tex. Admin. Code ยง19.300, Noxious plants |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 15, Class B Noxious Weed |
| Ohio | Yes | Ohio Adm. Code 901:5-30-01 |
States on this site. Each answer comes from that state's official lists; follow the link for the details.
Other plants people ask about in Georgia
The Georgia invasive plants list has every plant on the state ban lists with a filter, the advisory lists and what each rule means.
Hydrilla in Georgia: questions
Is hydrilla banned in Georgia?
Yes. Hydrilla is on the 7 CFR 360.200 list in Georgia, and listed plants may not be sold or distributed in Georgia (Live Plant Regulations, Rule 40-4-9-.11(b)).
Since when is hydrilla banned in Georgia?
The date printed or effective for the 7 CFR 360.200 list is November 10, 2010.
Which agency bans hydrilla in Georgia?
USDA APHIS, under 7 CFR 360.200; made enforceable for plant sales in Georgia by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-9-.11(b) and incorporated in seed law by 40-12-4-.01(d).
What is hydrilla called on the Georgia list?
Georgia lists print it as Hydrilla verticillata.
Is hydrilla banned in neighboring states?
Of the states on this site, North Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio ban its sale.
Who can identify hydrilla for me in Georgia?
Your county office of UGA Cooperative Extension can identify plants. Offices are listed on each county page under Georgia gardening.

Sources for hydrilla in Georgia
Designation of noxious weeds (Federal Noxious Weed List), USDA APHIS. 7 CFR 360.200; made enforceable for plant sales in Georgia by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-9-.11(b) and incorporated in seed law by 40-12-4-.01(d). Date printed or effective: November 10, 2010. Read November 12, 2026.
Georgia Invasive Species Strategy, Appendix A: Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia (plants), Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (Georgia Invasive Species Advisory Committee). Date printed or effective: August 2009. Read November 12, 2026.
Lists change; check the agency page before buying or selling plants. More for Georgia: Georgia gardening, what to plant now and the planting zone map.
Photos: Great egret wading among pickerelweed on an open prairie in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr; Green pasture and old barn below wooded hills in rural Polk County: .:[ Melissa ]:., CC BY 2.0, via Flickr; Autumn color around a quiet cove at Richard B. Russell State Park: Shawn Taylor, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.