No, chopping down a cactus is not illegal under Delaware property laws, and no such “weird” statute exists making it a jailable offense on private land. This claim echoes debunked urban myths about quirky state bans, similar to prior hoaxes on refrigerators or pickles, with no supporting code in Delaware. [ pattern]
Myth Origins
Lists of “bizarre laws” falsely attribute cactus protections to Delaware, but these lack statutory basis and mimic Arizona’s real saguaro rules. Delaware focuses on noxious weeds and invasives via Title 3 Chapter 24, not cacti which are uncommon and unprotected locally.​
Property Rights
Homeowners control vegetation on their Delaware yard absent endangered species (none cactus-like) or local ordinances; removal follows general landscaping freedoms under zoning codes. Noxious weed laws require control of specific plants like thistles, but cacti aren’t listed.​
Exceptions
Protected trees or wetlands may trigger permits via DNREC; check HOAs or municipal rules for landscaping limits. Invasive plant sales are restricted commercially, not private removal.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/making-a-splash-in-the-courts-the-1760048/)
[2](https://www.audubon.org/news/delaware-governor-signs-invasive-plant-bill-unanimous-support)
[3](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/noxious-weeds/)
[4](https://naisma.org/2021/02/24/delaware-passes-invasive-plant-bill-soon-to-join-atlantic-seaboard-states-with-legislation-on-commercial-traffic-of-invasive-plants/)
[5](https://law.justia.com/codes/delaware/title-3/chapter-29/section-2904/)
