Why It’s Bad for Plants to Grow Up the Side of Your House

Many garden lovers find the sight of climbing plants along the side of a home to be beautiful and picturesque. This can evoke a sense of timeless beauty and make an urban setting feel much more natural. However, these gorgeous plans can actually cause quite a few problems. Let’s take a look at why plants along the side of your home are a bad idea and why you should avoid allowing them to grow this way.

1. Structural Damage: One of the largest concerns about climbing plants on your home is that they can cause structural damage. Plants like ivy and wisteria use roots and tendrils to attach to your home. As time goes on, these can create minute cracks which can expand and worsen, leading to structural damage. 

2. Moisture Retention: Climbing plants often have quite a bit of moisture as well. This can lead to mold and mildew and material degradation. This is especially troublesome if the plants have cause tiny cracks in your home, allowing the moisture in which can lead to mold, mildew, algae, and much more growing inside of your walls.

3. Pest Infestation: Climbing plants can act as a bridge for pests such as insect, rodents, and other unwantsed critters. This can lead to infestations that are difficult to eradicate. You can avoid ants, spiders, and other critters by keeping your plants trimmed and away from your home. 

While climbing plants can be absolutely beautiful to look at, we recommend keeping them away from your house. The practical implications are much less enjoyable and there are many other ways to make your home feel like it is in a natural setting. If you feel you already have damage from plants growing along the side of your home, call us today for a free inspection and consultation.