Weed Potential 
As a weed Bitou Bush is highly invasive in coastal regions of Australia invading and dominating habitats including heathlands, dunes, coastal woodlands, forests or mallee regions and rainforests. It inhibits the growth of ground flora and the development of tree or shrub seedlings. 

The two sub species can grow in a variety of soil types, exposed or protected positions and is tolerant of salt laden winds and dry periods once established. They mature within 2-years and can live for up to 20 years producing masses of seeds annually, with some remaining viable for up to 10 years. 

The shrubs may re-shoot from the base after low intensity fire or mechanical damage and disturbance at the base of the shrub stimulates seed germination. The seeds are dispersed by birds, foxes or ants, water or on machinery and in garden waste or in soil.

Control methods include physically digging out seedlings checking that all the roots are removed. Shrubs with fruiting branches should be bagged and removed off site. They may also have the trunk scraped or drilled, then paint with a non-selective herbicide. Small plant or seedlings may also be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide from spring to autumn. A follow up spray will be required over the next 2-years and a rehabilitation program will need to be implemented in fragile sites such as dunes to avoid erosion.