A plant that many British gardens love for its beautiful colour and overall appearance can cause severe damage to homes with experts calling it "surprisingly aggressive". British gardens are set to thrive as the warmer months fast approach, with the UK having already enjoyed a . While many gardeners are working to make their outdoor space as colourful and vibrant as possible, some will be growing wisteria to add a dose of magic.

However, growing wisteria should be done with caution as home experts reveal how the plant can lead to significant property damage. have identified seemingly innocent favourites that have lead to damage to homes and insurance claim rejections, one of those being wisteria. This plant if left unchecked, they warn, can lead to costly repairs, higher premiums and even legal disputes.

In fact, internet searches for whether wisteria damages increased by over 50 per cent since this time last year.

"Known for its elegant, cascading blooms, wisteria can be surprisingly aggressive behind the scenes," the insurance experts say. "It grows quickly and develops thick, woody stems that twist around anything in their path.

"As these stems mature, they exert pressure on walls, gutters, and rooflines, gradually widening gaps and creating potential entry points for water and frost damage. When allowed to spread unchecked, wisteria can even dislodge roof tiles or gutters. And if planted too close to a property, its root system may also begin to interfere with underground drainage or shallow foundations."

Wisteria is not restricted by law, they point out, but any damage it causes is typically considered a preventable maintenance issue. This means that most standard will not cover claims related to overgrown climbing plants.

Norton Insurance Brokers explain: "If you're letting it roam freely without regular pruning, and it leads to structural or moisture issues, insurers may reject the claim on grounds of negligence."

Meanwhile, a number of other plants can cause damage to properties and can lead to insurance claims being rejected, they warn. This includes bamboo, which has underground roots that can spread "aggressively".

English ivy, a classic British garden staple, to wisteria and is something that gardeners have to keep a close eye on to avoid property damage. Additionally, British homeowners have been warned to also keep an eye on jasmine and tall trees, both of which can lead to costly home repairs.