Knowledgebase

We don’t know what this plant is! #930491

Asked May 04, 2026, 12:14 AM EDT

This plant is growing under a mailbox. We need to cut it back or move it. It’s 4 feet tall. We would appreciate any advice!

Clackamas County Oregon

Expert Response

It’s hard to be sure what plant you have. It reminds me of Cordyline australi, often used as an upright spiky accent for containers. We had a mild-ish winter, so it’s possible this wintered over. They don’t seed around, though, so if you didn’t plant it, I’m not sure how it appeared here.
Other possibilities might be a sedge or Phormium, but the size and leaf shape are throwing me off. Are the edges “sharp”? Smooth or rough, meaning cut your skin?
Any evidence it is getting ready to send up a flower spike? Flowers help a lot with plant ID.
To move it, water it well and after some time, just dig it out. Problems might be how much cement is around posts, and if you dig enough to loosen them. If you can’t remove it, then killing it might be the answer. A systemic herbicide to kill roots, or regularly remove all green foliage (like weekly). The foliage removal weakens the roots and eventually kills the plant. It can take more than a year for those with strong or extensive roots.

Loading ...