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Plants are a great way to add life to your home. A gorgeous garden shaded by trees, or a cottage lined with flowering vines, will always be beautiful. But some plants, despite looking great, can be an expensive headache if you're not careful.

Whether you're stuck with the bill of trying to fix pavements cracked by roots or repairing brickwork, or struggling to selldue to damage, there are some plants that just aren't worth it. David Sampson, a property expert from HMO Mortgage Broker, says deals can easily fall apart because of problematic plants. He said: "Mortgage applications can slow down or be rejected entirely because of plants that can become a problem for the property.

"When applying for a mortgage, lenders look at risk, and some plants in the garden can either need expensive remediation or cause structural damage."

If you're looking to sell - or just want to check the longevity of your home - these are the four plants you need to keep an eye on.

These hedges grow incredibly fast and can reach heights of up to 30 or 40 metres. They also have extensive root systems, which can dry out soil.

If your soil dries too much, your home can gradually sink and the foundation of the building can drop. This means walls will crack, and doors and windows will stick in their frames. If you ignore it for too long, your house can become unstable.

This plant is a UK favourite. While these twisting vines and purple flowers are undoubtedly stunning, Wisteria can be a serious problem if not properly maintained. Wisteria can damage brickwork, mortar, roof tiles and can even cause issues with drainage.

Wisteria is also another plant that can increase the risk of gradual sinking around the home. This is because the woody stems of the plant can force their way inside cracks, which over time will allow water in. This, in turn, will lead to damp and mould in your home.

This is another invasive plant with deep, resilient roots that can cause issues. The roots of this plant penetrate deep into the ground, and can burrow through paving and tarmac.

It can also grow into drains and cause issues there. Horsetail is extremely difficult to get rid of and it can even begin to grow again underground.

Not only is this plant mildly toxic, causing skin irritation and, in rare cases, heart inflammation, but it can also damage your home.

The Tree of Heaven has an aggressive root system that can crack foundations, lift pipes and break pavements. The plant is difficult to get rid of as it grows through suckers, which allow shoots to grow far from the original tree.