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Are Climbing Vines Bad for Your Home?
Below are some of the fast-growing vines commonly grown on homes that can cause damage if they get overgrown.
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Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) can grow up to 35 feet high and is very difficult to eradicate.
It’s considered a problematic invasive by many horticulturists in the Northeast United States.
However, it can be difficult to tell them apart.
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Moreover, it exudes a toxic substance that can cause painful skin rashes similar to poison ivy.
It is on the prohibited plant list in a number of states, including New York.
Wild Grapevine
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Wild grapevine looks very similar to cultivated grape varieties.
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It grows quickly, is long-lived, and can attain impressive heights, up to 100 feet.
Wild grapevines can also cause structural damage to houses, poking through small cracks to become an invasive nuisance.
It’s not recommended to use toxic herbicides, although very careful app may be helpful.
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This is a good non-toxic approach to try for overgrown vines that have large trunks.
Invasive Ornamental Plant Alternatives.
Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/eco-resilience/invasive-species/invasive-ornamental-plant-alternatives
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