Updated 01/14/09

Plant Quarantines

For more information, e-mail us or call (360) 902-1874

All plant material shipped into or within Washington State must be accompanied by an inspection certificate and/or any certification tag/label of the state of origin and be free from injurious pests, diseases, and noxious weeds.

For information regarding plant quarantine regulations in all other states please visit the National Plant Board website. 

Plant material entering Washington State is subject to the following quarantines:

* European Corn Borer - Regulated Articles - Corn, broomcorn, sorghums and Sudan grass, plants and plant parts (including seed and shelled grain, stalks, ears, cobs and all other parts, fragments or debris of said plants); beans in the pod, beets, celery, bell pepper fruits, endive, Swiss chard, rhubarb (cut or plants with roots); cut flowers or entire plants of aster, chrysanthemum, calendula, cosmos, hollyhock marigold, zinnia, Japanese hop, dahlia (except tubers without stems) and gladiolus (except corms without stems).

**Noxious Weed Seed & Plant - Regulated Articles - All plants, plant parts, and seeds in packets, blends, and "wildflower mixes" of the following listed species: Abutilon theophrasti, Alliaria petiolata, Amorpha fruticosa, Anchusa officinalis, Anthriscus sylvestris, Carduus acanthoides, Carduus nutans, Carduus pycnocephalus, Carduus tenuiflorus, Centaurea calcitrapa, Centaurea diffusa, Centaurea jacea, Centaurea jacea x nigra, Centaurea biebersteinii, Centaurea macrocephala, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea nigrescens, Chaenorrhinum minus, Crupina vulgaris, Cytisus scoparius, Daucus carota, Echium vulgare, Euphorbia esula, Euphorbia oblongata, Galega officinalis, Helianthus ciliaris, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Hibiscus trionum, Hieracium aurantiacum, Hieracium caespitosum, Hieracium floribundum, Hieracium pilosella, Impatiens glandulifera, Isatis tinctoria, Kochia scoparia, Lepidium latifolium, Leucanthemum vulgare, Linaria dalmatica spp.dalmatica, Mirabilis nyctaginea, Onopordum acanthium, Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum polystachyum, Polygonum sachalinense, Polygonum x bohemicum, Proboscidea louisianica, Pueraria montana var. lobata, Salvia aethiopis, Salvia pratensis, Salvia sclarea, Senecio jacobaea, Silybum marianum, Solanum elaeagnifolium, Solanum rostratum, Soliva sessilis, Sorghum halepense, Spartium junceum, Tamarix ramosissima, Thymelaea passerina, Torilis arvensis, Ulex europaeus, and Zygophyllum fabago.

***Wetland and Aquatic Weeds - All plants and plant parts of: Butomus umbelatus, Cabomba caroliniana, Crassula helmsii, Egeria densa, Epilobium hirsutum, Glossostigma diandrum, Hydrilla verticillata, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Lagarosiphon major, Ludwigia hexapetala, Lysimachia vulgaris, Murdannia keisak, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Najas minor, Nymphoides peltata, Sagittaria graminea, Sagittaria platyphylla, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina anglica, Spartina densiflora, Spartina patens, Trapa natans, Trapa bicornus, Utricularia inflata.

(top of page)

Blueberry Scorch

A virulent strain of blueberry scorch virus exists that, if introduced into the state, would have a severe economic impact on the blueberry industry.  This quarantine is established to prevent the introduction and spread of all strains of blueberry scorch virus.

Areas Under Quarantine: All states and districts of the U.S.

Provisions: All regulated plants sold, offered for sale, transported within the state, or planted must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate issued from the place of origin, that verifies freedom from viruses through one or more of the following methods: (1) They must originate from a pest-free area, (2) must be certified by an official certification program that includes inspection and testing, (3) must test free of viruses by methods approved by Washington, (4) plants are micropropagated and /or grown in an insect-proof greenhouse, and originate from plants that have been tested and are free from viruses.   Special permits or exemptions issued by the director allowing entry must be obtained prior to transport, sale, and planting.

(top of page)

Chestnut

Chestnut bark disease (Endothia parasitica), Large chestnut weevil (Curculio caryatrypes), Small chestnut weevil (Curculio sayi), Nut curculio (Conotrachelus carinifer), Oriental chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus).

Areas Under Quarantine: All states and districts of the U.S.

Provisions: (1) Regulated articles produced in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah may enter with a certificate stating that the shipment originated in these states;  (2) Regulated articles produced in any area of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico or states east thereof may enter under one of the following conditions: [a] with a certificate affirming that the listed pests are not known to occur within the production area of the state, or [b] from an area where the listed pests are known to occur, with a certificate stating "freedom from" the listed pests and detailing the treatment used. Such treatment must be as recommended by the origin state department of agriculture or university extension service and approved by WSDA;  (3) Nuts of all species and variety of chestnut or chinquapin, grown in and imported from foreign countries, may enter without restriction when shipped in unopened, original containers and regulated by USDA.

(top of page)

European Corn Borer

European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)

Areas Under Quarantine: All of U.S. except AZ, CA, ID, NV, OR & UT

Provisions: (1) Corn, broomcorn, sorghum and sudan grass must be accompanied by a certificate attesting that [a] the grain or seed has passed through a 1/2 inch mesh screen or been otherwise cleaned to be free from cobs or other debris that could harbor corn borer larvae and loaded into an inspected carrier free of debris capable of containing larvae, or [b] the grain or seed has been fumigated with methyl bromide at a rate of 4 lbs./1000 ft.3  for 16 hours at 60^o F. (2) Small lots of cleaned, shelled grain and seed of 100 lbs. or less, or comprised of small packages of less than 10 lbs. are exempt from the certification requirement but are subject to inspection upon arrival. (3) Stalks, ears, cobs or other parts of corn, broomcorn, sorghum or sudan grass from quarantined areas may be admitted if they are accompanied by a certificate attesting that such have been fumigated with methyl bromide at a rate of 3 lbs./1000 ft.3 for 16 hours at 60^o F., or otherwise disinfected in a manner approved by the Director. (4) Beans in the pod; beets; celery; bell pepper fruits; endive; Swiss chard; rhubarb (cut or plants with roots); cut flowers and entire plants of aster, chrysanthemum, calendula, cosmos, hollyhock, marigold, zinnia, Japanese hop, dahlia (except tubers without stems) and gladiolus (except corms without stems) from quarantined areas will be admitted with a certificate stating that [a] regulated items in the shipment have been inspected and found free of European corn borer, or [b] regulated items have been produced in a greenhouse where host plants have been regularly inspected and found free from European corn borer, or [c] regulated items have been treated with methyl bromide at a rate of 3 lbs./ 1000 ft.3 for 4 hours at 60^o F. For exemptions, consult WSDA Quarantine Manual.

(top of page)

Grape Phylloxera

Grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch)) and vine mealy bug  (Planococcus ficus (Signoret)).

Areas Under Quarantine: All states and territories of the U.S. and all territories outside the U.S.

Provisions: Grape plants, grape rootstock, and/or softwood cuttings may enter provided that they are: (1) Certified as coming from an area free of phylloxera and vine mealy bug; or (2) Grown in an approved sterile media system; or (3) On small shipments of softwood cuttings (up to 500 cuttings), all articles have been carefully examined by an authorized inspector and found to be free from grape phylloxera and vine mealy bug; or (4) Have been subject to one of the following treatments and stored so as to prevent reinfestation: [a] Dormant rooted plants or rootstock have been washed so as to remove all soil or other growing media and immersed in hot water for not less than 3 nor more than 5 minutes at a temperature of not less than 125^o F. (52^o C.) not more than 130^o F (55^o C.).  [b] Plants, rootstocks, or cuttings are fumigated with methyl bromide at rate of 2 lbs/1000 ft.³ (0.908 kg/28 m³) for 3 hrs. at 65^o-70^o F (18.3-21.2^o C.); or (5) Have been subjected to another treatment, determined to be effective and approved in writing by the Director.  Equipment used for cultivation or harvesting of grapes in quarantined areas must be thoroughly washed or steam cleaned to remove all dirt and plant material prior to entry into the state of Washington.

Prior notification shall be given to the Washington State Department of Agriculture by U.S. mail, fax or email prior to the shipment of plant material. Such notice shall include, but not be limited to, the approximate number of plants; the shipper; the consignee; the method of treatment used, if applicable; and the approximate date of delivery.

(top of page)

Grape Virus

Fanleaf, Leafroll, Stem Pitting, and Corky Bark virus diseases of grapes.

Areas Under Quarantine: All states and districts of the U.S. and all areas outside the territorial border of Washington State.

Provisions: Grape plants from areas under quarantine may enter provided that: (1) They have been grown under an official grapevine certification program that includes inspection and testing by indexing on suitable indicator hosts for freedom from Fanleaf, Leafroll, Stem Pitting and Corky Bark virus diseases and (2) All shipments are clearly marked on the package or container.

Prior notification shall be given to the Washington State Department of Agriculture by U.S. mail, fax or email prior to the shipment of plant material. Such notice shall include, but not be limited to, the approximate number of plants; the shipper; the consignee; the method of treatment used, if applicable; and the approximate date of delivery.

(top of page)

Gypsy Moth

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)

Areas Under Quarantine: All areas of the U.S. and Canada declared a high risk.

Provisions: Articles must have a certificate attached to the container or bill of lading attesting to one of the above conditions and stating the destination of the articles and the origin.

Articles may be moved from a quarantine area into the state if: (1) Articles originated in a non-infested area of the quarantine state or province; (2) Articles have been examined and found free of gypsy moth life stages by an official of a Department of Agriculture, USDA, or a trained and approved private contractor; (3) Articles have received an approved and monitored treatment; (4) Articles that were grown, produced or manufactured in such a manner that no stage of gypsy moth could be transmitted by them.

Conditions Under Which Non-Certificated Articles May Enter: (1) The articles are cleaned, or treated at point of entry; or (2) the articles are sealed at point of entry and are treated, under WSDA supervision, at destination.

(top of page)

Hop Disease

Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium albo-atrum; Ilar viruses.

Areas Under Quarantine: All areas outside the territorial borders of Washington State.

Provisions: Hop plants and parts may enter provided that they have been certified by the program of an official state agency. Such program must include: (1) At least two field inspections during the growing season; (2) Certification tolerances that do not exceed: Zero percent for  Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium albo-atrum and zero percent for Ilar viruses; (3) All shipments apparently free of plant pests; and (4) All plants  produced under official certification regulations and meeting official standards.

Prior notification shall be given to the Washington State Department of Agriculture by U.S. mail, fax or email prior to the shipment of plant material. Such notice shall include, but not be limited to, the approximate number of plants; the shipper; the consignee; the method of treatment used, if applicable; and the approximate date of delivery.

(top of page)

Japanese Beetle

Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica Newman).

Areas Under Quarantine: AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, IO, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NB, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI, D.C., Ontario and Quebec, Canada

Provisions: Each shipment must be accompanied by an official state or federal certificate certifying that the regulated article has been treated by WSDA approved methods and procedures to ensure that all Japanese Beetles have been eradicated. For information on approved treatments, contact WSDA, or the Director may issue special permits allowing entry of articles otherwise prohibited. The permit will state the conditions under which entry is allowed.

Prior notification shall be given to the Washington State Department of Agriculture by U.S. mail, fax or email prior to the shipment of plant material. Such notice shall include, but not be limited to, the approximate number of plants; the shipper; the consignee; the method of treatment used, if applicable; and the approximate date of delivery.

(top of page)

Lythrum

Plants of the Lythrum species, Lythrum salicaria, and Lythrum virgatum.

Areas Under Quarantine: All states, territories & districts of the U.S.

Provisions: It is prohibited to transplant, buy, sell, offer for sale, or to distribute plants or seeds of the species Lythrum salicaria or Lythrum virgatum into or within the state, or to transplant wild plants, and/or plant parts of these species in the state.

(top of page)

Noxious Weed Seed & Plant

Areas Under Quarantine: All states, territories & districts of the U.S.

Provisions: It is prohibited to transport, buy, sell, offer for sale or distribute plants or plant parts of the regulated species within the state of Washington, or to sell, offer for sale, or distribute seed packets of the seed, flower seed blends, or "wildflower mixes" of these species within the state.

(top of page)

Onion White Rot

Onion white rot disease (Sclerotium cepivorum).

Areas Under Quarantine: All states of the U.S.

Provisions: (1) No regulated articles (onions or related) for the purpose of planting or propagation including bulbs, sets or seedlings may be imported into Adams, Franklin or Grant counties except:  [a] from areas of this or other states where onion white rot is not known to occur and [b] each shipment has been certified as free from onion white rot. (2) No equipment or tools used on fields outside of Adams, Franklin, and Grant counties where regulated articles are produced may be moved into these counties until the equipment or tools have been cleaned of soil and sterilized by use of steam under pressure. The department may stop the movement of all such tools and equipment until cleaning is completed.  (3) No livestock pastured on irrigated fields known to be infested with onion white rot or fed white rot infested plant parts may be imported into Adams, Franklin, or Grant counties except into feed lots, cattle sale yards, or exhibition sites such as fairs.  (4) No white rot infested plant parts may be imported into Adams, Franklin, or Grant counties for use as livestock feed.

(top of page)

Peach Mosaic Virus

The virus that causes Peach Mosaic Virus Disease, and any virus capable of producing identical symptoms. 

Areas Under Quarantine: AZ, NM, CO (Delta, Garfield, Mesa, Montezuma & Montrose counties), OK (Alfalfa, Bryan, Johnson & Woods counties), TX (Brown, Callahan, Camp, Cherokee, Comanche, Dallas, Eastland, El Paso, Erath, Fisher, Floyd, Freestone, Hale, Harrison, Hudspeth, Jones, Limestone, Palo Pinto, Runnels, San Saba, Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Upshur & Young counties, & CA (Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, & San Diego counties).

Provisions: All regulated articles are prohibited entry into the state of Washington except by permit from the Director providing mandatory provisions or conditions under which entry is allowed.

(top of page)

Peach Rosette Disease

The phytoplasma that causes Peach Rosette disease.

Areas Under Quarantine: AL, AR, FL, GA, MS, OK, SC, TN, & WV.

Provisions: Plants and propagative parts of the restricted Prunus species, except symptomless carriers or plants budded onto symptomless carriers, will be permitted entry provided that the following requirements are met: (1) Each species and variety is properly labeled as to scientific name and state of origin; (2) Each lot or shipment is accompanied by a certificate issued by the Department of Agriculture or state university of the state of origin verifying that the plants or propagative parts have been certified in accordance with the regulations of an official certification program including inspection and indexing on suitable indicator hosts or by another officially recognized method for "freedom from" Peach Rosette Disease; (3) Peach Rosette Disease symptoms were not found during the period when the stock was growing or budwood taken either on or within one mile of the growing ground; (4) No symptomless plum species or other species on symptomless plum understock existed on the growing ground during the production of the nursery stock. The following symptomless hosts and all parts capable of propagation including their use as understock are prohibited entry into the state of Washington: the "Wilson" cultivar of apricot (Prunus armeniaca), Mariana plums (Prunus cerasifera x P. munsoniiana), any tree grafted on Mariana plum understock.

(top of page)

Peach Rosette Mosaic Virus

The virus that causes Peach Rosette Mosaic Virus Disease.

Areas Under Quarantine: Peach: MI (Berrien, Kalamazoo, and VanBuren counties); Grape: MI (entire state)

Provisions: All regulated articles are prohibited entry into the state of Washington except by permit from the Director providing mandatory provisions or conditions under which entry is allowed.

(top of page)

Peach Yellows, Little Peach & Red Suture

The phytoplasma that causes Peach Yellows disease, Little Peach disease and Red Suture disease.

Areas Under Quarantine: AL, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, KY, MD, MS, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WV, & D.C.

Provisions: Plants and propagative parts of the restricted Prunus species, except symptomless carriers or plants budded onto symptomless carriers, will be permitted entry provided that the following requirements are met: (1) Each species and variety is properly labeled as to scientific name and state of origin; (2) Each lot or shipment is accompanied by a certificate issued by the Department of Agriculture or state university of the state of origin verifying that the plants or propagative parts have been certified in accordance with the regulations of an official certification program including inspection and indexing on suitable indicator hosts or by another officially recognized method for "freedom from" Peach Yellows, Little Peach and Red Suture Diseases; (3) Peach Yellows, Little Peach and Red Suture Disease symptoms were not found during the period when the stock was growing or budwood taken either on or within one mile of the growing ground; (4) No symptomless plum species or other species on symptomless plum understock existed on the growing ground during the production of the nursery stock. The following symptomless hosts and all parts capable of propagation including their use as understock are prohibited entry into the state of Washington: American plum (Prunus americana); myrobalan plum, cherry plum, "Atropurpurea," purple leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera); European plum, prune (Prunus domestica); hortulan plum (Prunus hortulana); wild goose plum (Prunus munsoniana); Japanese plum (Prunus salicina); hybrids of any of the above, and wild native species of plum.

(top of page)

Potato Virus Yn

Potato Virus Y Necrotic Strain (PVY-N).

Areas Under Quarantine: All states and districts of the U.S.

Provisions: All seed potatoes must originate from a state or area that participates in the US/Canada Necrotic Virus Management plan or has been tested and found free of PVYn.

(top of page)

Purple Nutsedge

Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) is a highly invasive herbaceous perennial and a serious noxious weed. It propagates by seed, rhizomes, bulb, and nutlets. Soil containing nutlets is the primary mode of spread.  The exclusion of purple nutsedge is necessary to protect the environmental quality and agricultural crops of the state of Washington.

Areas Under Quarantine: AL, AZ, AK, CA, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MD, MS, NJ, NY, NC, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Provisions: Shipments of regulated articles must have a certificate of inspection from the state of origin issued by an authorized state or federal authority. The certificate must certify that the regulated article has been inspected and found free of purple nutsedge, its plant parts, seeds, rhizomes, bulbs, and nutlets.  The department may issue compliance agreements or permits allowing imports prohibited by this quarantine.

(top of page)

Seed Potato

Bacterial, Fungal, Viral and Nematode Diseases of Potatoes.

Areas Under Quarantine: All states and territories of the U.S.

Provisions: All seed potatoes propagated for commercial production or for seed production in the regulated area of the state must be from certified seed, produced as a part of a certified seed potato program in the state or country of origin and accepted as certified by the program.

(top of page)

Wetland & Aquatic Weed

Areas Under Quarantine: All states, territories & districts of the U.S.

Provisions: It is prohibited to transport, buy, sell, offer for sale, or distribute plants or plant parts of the regulated species within the state of Washington.

(top of page)