Property expert warns of three destructive plants that can devalue your house and ‘put buyers off’

Flowers and plants can instantly brighten up your garden in the summer months, but it's crucial to know what you're planting.

Recent studies indicate that a well-landscaped garden can boost a home's value by as much as 77 percent. However, certain destructive plants lurking in your garden could jeopardise your home value and potential sale.

In response to this, Bradley Mackenzie, a property surveyor at Chartered Surveyors Stokemont, has identified three such plants and provided insights on how to identify and eliminate them.

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Himalayan balsam can grow two to three metres tall and blooms pink flowers in the summer and early autumn, according to the Express, reports the Daily Record.

Despite its attractive colours, this "invasive" plant can spread 800 seeds metres away or even through rivers, potentially "killing off other plants" by monopolising all light, nutrients, or water.

While this non-native plant is not harmful to humans, Bradley MacKenzie warns that it may pose other problems for homeowners: "Himalayan balsam is quickly becoming a more common sight in the UK."

Planting it in the wild is illegal due to its significant ecological impact, and potential buyers might be deterred. "It is recommended to keep this plant controlled or get rid of it altogether, and ensure it does not spread to your neighbours' home as it can be illegal," he said.

Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant characterised by bamboo-like red shoots and shovel-shaped leaves, can tower up to three metres tall during the spring and summer months.

The true threat of this plant is hidden beneath the surface, as its roots can delve down to 20 metres,