It depends. Remember, in our containers, we're giving the seeds the best possible conditions for germination. In the garden, you might have mulch, critters, bugs, and either too much or not enough moisture for the seeds to survive. I get great germination rates of collected hosta seeds, but have yet to see a single self-sown plant in my garden. I don't see many Yvonne's salvia seedlings either, but have lots in my containers. And then there's perilla. Oh boy. I think those seeds could survive a nuclear winter and still germinate on concrete during a drought.

It would make sense that what you say is true, but then again there are some seeds which I've tried and didn't germinate as easily which are considered invasive such as Obedient Plant. Also, it depends on what you interpret as being invasive. Some people consider prolific reseeders as invasives, whereas others consider those with rhizomaceous roots as being the bad doobies in the gardens.

For me an invasive plant is one that creeps underground and takes over where I don't want it, but then again, Bee Balm does this and I like it. One that I tried several years ago was the Obedient Plant (can't remember the botanical name right now) and the germination was quite low. I'm still trying to remove it from an area of the gardens... :O(

If you are concerned, your idea about planting in a pot is a responsible one. I like Chocolate Mint and grow it in a container every year but would not let it bully my gardens.

Planting it in a 'well-contained' area? Well, when it comes to an invasive, is there such a thing? Sometimes the roots make their way where you least expect and then when it seeds you really need to be there to deadhead.

I might have a problem with putting something unidentified in my own garden - is there a chance you could post a photo either here or the name that plant forum (where you'd be surprised how many can correctly come up with the name for an obscure plant) ? Possibly when it gets a little larger for easier ID? But just the fact that is germinates easily doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be aggressive...

While it's a term often used for aggressive or enthusiastic garden plants we sometimes we wish we'd never planted, technically 'invasive' means an alien species whose introduction has caused or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, and none of us should be growing those. It's possible to receive them in trades though because what is listed in one state isn't necessarily listed in all states (i.e. we can no longer grow butterfly bush here but its not an E coast problem) - which takes me back to the unidentified. I need to know what I'm planting.

Ellen,

Excellent germination isn't a sign of being invasive. Ability to thrive in a particular environment is usually indicative of a capacity to be invasive. Seeds are food and in a protected winter sowing container the seeds don't get eaten by critters or bugs, they can't wash out or desiccate. Because of the containers the germination percentages of plants are much higher than if they were sown by Mother Nature herself and left to luck for survival.

Use the link below for more information about what is an invasive species and find out what is invasive in your own state.

T

Here is a link that might be useful: Invasive Species (USDA)