Weed control

Street weeds

From 2024 our Parks and Greenspace service will cease the use of any glyphosate-based chemicals in its maintenance of the majority of our maintained grounds. There will be no treatment of weeds by chemical across the whole estate including schools and housing areas. Additional sweeping machines will be used to remove debris and reduce potential weed growth. The Waste team now manage the weed maintenance in the city and they can be contacted on

waste@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Non native species

Non native plant species are those that have been brought in to the country by humans. There are many non native species in Scotland. A small number of these cause damage to

  • the environment
  • the economy
  • our health
  • the way we live. 

These are called invasive non native species.

The Scottish Government website provides details of non native species.

Invasive weed control on Council owned land

The Council will tackle the following invasive non-native species on Council owned land:

  • Himalayan Balsam
  • Giant Hogweed
  • Japanese Knotweed.

To report an invasive or non native species please email

parks@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Download the Himalayan Balsam information sheet - PDF

Download the Giant Hogweed information sheet - PDF

Download the Japanese Knotweed information sheet - PDF