You Could Be Breaking the Law With a Cotton Plant in Your Texas Backyard

You may have lived in Texas all your life, and sometimes you learn facts you might not have known. Sometimes it will blow your mind what is illegal in Texas. If you are fond of plants and have your own gardens and are always looking for something unique to grow, cotton isn't one of those items. You might be thinking you want to grow it for decoration or to just grow it, but if you do, you're breaking the law.

It is illegal to grow cotton in a home garden in Texas.

Why Is It Illegal to Grow Cotton in Texas?

Of course, you can find the seeds online, but in other states and areas you can legally grow cotton in your garden. However, cotton is one of the most important cash crops in Texas, and the state leads the entire US in production. You cannot grow it without being a licensed commercial producer or holding a special permit.  According to Texas A&M AgriLife, cotton production contributes $2.4 billion to Texas' domestic product. Texas is also responsible for 50% of cotton production in the US.

The Boll Weevil: Texas Cotton's Most Destructive Enemy

The reason is a pest, a bug, a destroyer of crops. The boll weevil is a highly destructive pest to the cotton plant, and wreaks devastation on cotton farmers. Texas has spent millions of dollars eradicating the pest, and in those eradication zones, they don't want non-commercial cotton to create a breeding ground in Texas, which could lead to destruction across the state.

What Are the Fines for Growing Cotton in Texas?

The law states that if volunteer or non-commercial cotton is found growing, the Texas Department of Agriculture will issue a notice for the landowner to destroy the cotton within 14 days. If the cotton isn't destroyed within the 14 days, landowners will be required to pay a $5 fee per acre each week until the cotton is destroyed. The department can also declare the land a public nuisance and will come in and destroy the cotton, then charge the landowner 150% of the costs.

According to the Texas Agriculture Code 74.008, those who violate the law may be fined $250 to $10,000 for each violation.

Read More: Can You Legally Collect Rainwater in Texas?

How to Apply for a Cotton Growing Permit in Texas

You can apply for a permit to grow cotton. According to Farm Progress, permits are only allowed for those growing cotton for research, demonstrations, or education. You can apply for a permit through the Texas Department of Agriculture. Keep in mind that permits are usually not given to those wanting to grow in their home gardens.

Read More: Here's How To Legally Throw Punches in Texas

Why Is Texas Cotton Worth Protecting?

As mentioned earlier, cotton is a multibillion-dollar industry. But it isn't just about the money. Cotton production also employs over 40,000 people across the state of Texas.  It is also worth noting that when there is devastation in the cotton world, prices go up on everything that uses cotton. The list is long.

• Clothing and Textiles
  • T-shirts, jeans, underwear, socks
  • Towels, bed sheets, blankets
  • Canvas and denim fabric
• Medical and Personal Care
  • Cotton balls and swabs
  • Bandages and gauze
  • Diapers and feminine hygiene products
• Food and Cooking
  • Cottonseed oil (used in cooking and salad dressings)
  • Cottonseed meal (used in livestock feed)
  • Cotton candy (the name, not the plant)
• Industrial and Commercial
  • Paper currency (US bills are 75% cotton)
  • Filters for coffee, air, and oil
  • Tarpaulins and industrial tarps
• Home and Decor
  • Upholstery stuffing
  • Rugs and curtains
  • Craft and decorative items (like the dried bolls you might want in your garden!)
• Other
  • Fishing nets and twine
  • Bookbinding
  • Explosives (guncotton, a nitrocellulose compound)

That list is why Texas is not taking any chances with a bug that nearly destroyed it all.