Longer days and warmer nights are upon us, and with the summer nearly here, many Brits are turning their attention to their gardens. Although a lush green garden can be impressive, and leafy canopies can be inviting spaces for friends and family, experts are warning people to be careful what they plant. Several common plants may actually be putting your home at risk.
The home insurance experts at Norton Insurance Brokers have identified seemingly innocent garden favourites that are responsible for far more property damage, insurance claim rejections and legal disputes than most homeowners realise. The number one culprit is the British favourite: wisteria.
Wisteria
This magical purple trailing plant with its woody vines and purple cascades of flowers is stunning – but it has some hidden dangers to your home.
As these woody stems mature, they exert pressure on walls, gutters, and rooflines, gradually widening gaps and creating potential entry points for water and frost damage. When allowed to spread unchecked, wisteria can even dislodge roof tiles or gutters. And if planted too close to a property, its root system may also begin to interfere with underground drainage or shallow foundations.
English Ivy
Another British favourite which could seriously damage your home is English Ivy. This iconic plant is known for looking stunning as it trails over old brick buildings and covers them in lush greenery. But this lush plant has some serious strength – it;s aerial roots that it uses to cling to buildings can actually dig into the cracks and mortar joints and tear them apart.
Ivy can dislodge roof tiles, pull gutters from walls and add structural strain.
If you have overgrown ivy that has caused damage to your home, you might find your insurance claim rejected on the grounds of neglect, which is why it’s important to keep up regular maintenance of your ivy and ensure it’s not cause any damage. But be careful – ivy provides shelter for nesting birds, and under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s illegal to damage or destroy any active wild bird’s nest. If you’re thinking of removing ivy, always check for nesting activity, especially during spring and summer.
Bamboo
Another popular plant is bamboo. This fast growing plant provides great privacy, and an exotic aesthetic for your garden – but it can fast become a nightmare.
Bamboo has underground roots that spread aggressively, metres beyond the original planting area. These roots can lift patio slabs, break through driveways and even crack through the floorboards in your home.
Bamboo roots won’t typically crack a solid foundation on their own, but they will exploit cracks and gaps, similar to Japanese Knotweed. They can also block drains and pipework and destabilise garden walls or fences by growing underneath.
Similarly to English Ivy, if your bamboo has caused issues in your home you might find your insurance claim rejected. If it is determined that the bamboo was planted deliberately or allowed to spread unchecked, any resulting damage may not be covered, with claims potentially rejected due to poor maintenance.
Jasmine
Jasmine is another fast growing vine that sports beautiful white flowers and a delicious sweet scent – but this beautiful plant can cause damage if left unchecked.
In summer, jasmine can form a thick green mat that masks underlying vulnerabilities. If the brickwork is already weathered or cracked, this prolonged moisture exposure can lead to damp problems, especially in older buildings.
Jasmine can also obstruct gutters, downpipes, vents, or air bricks, reducing airflow and creating ideal conditions for water ingress and mould.
As with other climbing plants, insurers usually view damage caused by jasmine as avoidable through routine maintenance. Claims involving damp, blocked drainage, or compromised rendering are likely to be declined if visible plant overgrowth is found to be a factor.
So, if you want to enjoy these gorgeous vines, make sure you keep up to date with the maintenance to avoid issues.
