WORCESTERSHIRE'S 2026 Japanese knotweed hotspots have been revealed.
The hotspot areas across the county for the invasive plant have been revealed by Environet, the UK's leading specialist in the removal of Japanese knotweed, bamboo, and other invasive plants, based on verified sightings from its live online tracker.
Introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant in Victorian times, Japanese knotweed has since spread across the country through the movement of contaminated soil, waterways, and more than 150 years of industrial activity, construction, and infrastructure works.
After the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which causes ash dieback disease, Japanese knotweed is the UK’s second most costly invasive non-native species, responsible for an estimated £246.5mn in annual economic costs, according to CABI.
According to Environet, there are 738 verified sightings of knotweed across the county, making it the 20th worst-affected county in England.
In Bewdley, there have been 47 sightings of Japanese knotweed, the second highest number of verified sightings in Worcestershire in 2026, according to Environet.
In joint third, Environet says there have been 42 sightings of the invasive plant in Kidderminster and Redditch, and in fifth, there have been 39 sightings in Bromsgrove.
Stourport is ninth on the Environet list with 18 verified sightings.
Worcestershire's Top 10 Japanese knotweed hotspots
- Worcester - 115
2. Bewdley - 47
=3. Kidderminster - 42
=3. Redditch - 42
- Bromsgrove - 39
=6. Malvern - 37
=6. Droitwich - 37
- Tenbury Wells - 33
- Stourport-on-Severn - 18
- Evesham - 17
Environet Director Emily Grant said: "Japanese knotweed is now firmly established right across the country, which means homeowners everywhere should know what to look for.
"My advice to anyone living or buying a home in a Japanese knotweed hotspot is to check your garden regularly during the growing season.
"At this time of year, an established knotweed plant can be identified quite easily by its hard bamboo-like canes and distinctive bright green shield-shaped leaves which grow in a zig-zag pattern along the stem.
"The earlier it’s spotted, the easier and cheaper it is to deal with.
"Acting quickly with professional advice will prevent it from spreading further and help protect both your property and its value."
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