No, chopping down a cactus in your Indiana yard is not illegal or a felony. Unlike Arizona’s strict protections for native cacti like saguaros, Indiana treats most cacti as non-native ornamental plants without statewide removal bans.​
Arizona Rules
Arizona’s Native Plant Protection Act classifies destroying protected cacti, such as saguaros, as a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison and heavy fines, even on private property without a permit. Landowners must notify the Department of Agriculture 20-60 days prior to removal. This stems from saguaros’ slow growth (150-200 years to maturity).​
Indiana Regulations
Indiana has no laws prohibiting cactus removal from private yards; cacti are absent from noxious weed lists and protected plant inventories. Property owners can remove plants freely, subject to local tree ordinances (which typically exclude cacti) or HOA rules. Eastern prickly pear, a native species, faces no removal penalties on private land despite occasional weedy growth.
SOURCES
[1](https://northamericancommunityhub.com/its-illegal-to-cut-cactuses-in-arizona/)
[2](https://www.foxnews.com/us/arizona-cactus-illegally-dug-up-and-sold)
[3](https://www.nationalplantboard.org/uploads/1/3/6/7/136771235/indiana_rules_and_regulations.pdf)
[4](https://joseknowstrees.com/saguaro-cactus-removal/)
[5](https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/criminal-defense/arizona/)
