The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has issued an emergency quarantine to prevent the spread of the invasive Cotton Jassid or Two-Spot Cotton Leafhopper, a destructive pest first detected on imported hibiscus plants. The quarantine currently applies to all Hibiscus species, but may expand to include additional host plants as more data becomes available.
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The quarantine currently covers shipments from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, where the pest has been detected.

It also applies to Texas counties where detections have occurred, halting the movement of hostable plants without required phytosanitary documentation

No regulated articles may move from or within quarantined areas except under the following conditions:

1. Certification:
   Must be accompanied by a Certificate of Inspection issued by TDA or an authorized official confirming the articles are pest-free based on inspection or treatment. Certificates must include origin, destination, commodity, and pest-free declaration.
2. Treatment:
   Articles must be treated using TDA- or USDA-approved methods, such as:
   • Insecticidal dip or spray using EPA-registered products effective against leafhoppers (e.g., neonicotinoids like imidacloprid at labeled rates, applied to runoff).
   • Fumigation if approved for the commodity.
3. Pest-Free Certification:
   For propagation materials, a Pest-Free Area Certificate or Systems Approach Certification verifying production in a pest-free zone under USDA/APHIS guidelines.
4. Emergency Exemptions:
   Shipments for scientific, research, or immediate processing purposes may be allowed with prior TDA and/or USDA approval under containment protocols.

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➡️ Violations are subject to penalties under the Texas Agriculture Code, including fines up to $4,000 per violation, seizure or destruction of articles at the owner’s expense, and potential criminal charges.

While the quarantine focuses on movement control, TDA and Texas A&M AgriLife recommend the following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in infested areas:

• Scout: Inspect the undersides of leaves on the 3rd–5th nodes from the top; treat when 1–2 nymphs per leaf show visible injury.
• Treat: Use labeled insecticides (e.g., acephate, bifenthrin) and rotate chemical classes to prevent resistance. Avoid broad-spectrum applications that harm beneficial insects.
• Cultural Control: Maintain irrigation to reduce plant stress, destroy crop residues after harvest, and monitor or remove nearby weed hosts.

TNLA is in close communication with TDA’s Plant Quality Division and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologists to ensure the industry has up-to-date guidance and clear compliance information.
Members are encouraged to:

• Inspect incoming plant shipments carefully,
• Maintain documentation for all plant movements, and
• Report any suspected pest activity to TDA Plant Quality at (512) 463-7660.

TNLA will continue to monitor this developing issue and share timely updates as new guidance or quarantine adjustments are announced.
👉 Learn more and view TDA’s current quarantine notice.

​At TNLA, we’re focused on more than the challenges of today — we’re building the workforce of tomorrow. One of the ways we’re doing that is by connecting directly with Texas Education Agency (TEA) Regional Service Centers across the state.

Every year, thousands of students participate in agricultural science and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, yet many have never considered a career in the green industry. By working directly with TEA regions, TNLA is making sure horticulture, landscaping, and nursery careers are part of the conversation early on — while students are still deciding their futures.
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These partnerships help teachers connect classroom learning to real-world skills and introduce students to the rewarding, hands-on work our industry offers.

Over the past several months, TNLA has met with multiple TEA regions to:

• Build relationships with regional directors and CTE coordinators
• Identify shared goals that link education and workforce development
• Develop ways for students to experience the green industry firsthand — through career events, classroom visits, and site tours

​Each TEA region supports schools and teachers preparing the next generation of professionals. By collaborating with them, TNLA is ensuring our industry stays visible and accessible to tomorrow’s workforce.

This initiative isn’t just about outreach — it’s about opportunity. Our members are the face of the industry, and your participation can make a lasting impact.

Here are a few simple ways to get involved:
🌱 Join a Regional Advisory Committee: Share your business perspective and help shape local programs.
🌿 Volunteer for Classroom Visits: Talk to students about your career path and what you love about this work.
🌾 Host a Field Trip: Let students see what goes on behind the scenes at your nursery, landscape operation, or garden center.

Below, you’ll find a map and contact list for all TEA regions. Reach out to your local region and start the conversation — TNLA is here to support you every step of the way.

Together, we’re not just growing plants — we’re growing the future of our industry.

Questions? Please reach out to [email protected] for more information on member perks or [email protected] for more information on membership types, rates or joining. 

At the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA), our mission is to elevate the business success of our members through advocacy, education, networking, and professionalism. For more than 80 years, TNLA has served as the trusted resource and unifying voice of the Texas Green Industry — empowering members to grow their businesses and strengthen their communities.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, TNLA is proud to spotlight one of our long-time members, Ruibal’s Plants of Texas, a family-owned Dallas nursery whose story embodies the values of leadership, inclusion, and community that define our industry.
TNLA Chairman Devin Guinn is continuing his mission to spotlight the diversity, leadership, and heart that make up our horticulture community.

For his second Chairman Member Spotlight, Devin visited Ruibal’s Plants of Texas in Dallas — a family-run business whose story blends hard work, inclusion, and generational growth.

Founded by Michael and Linda Ruibal, Ruibal’s began as a small color plant operation and has since grown to nearly 195 greenhouses, four Dallas retail nurseries, a wholesale farm, and even a new restaurant, Bucket & Rope (a name inspired by Michael’s grandson’s childhood nickname for Baby Doe’s restaurant).

But what makes Ruibal’s truly remarkable isn’t just their success — it’s their commitment to community and opportunity. For 34 years, the family has partnered with Notre Dame School of Dallas, providing students with disabilities hands-on work experience and helping them transition from school to meaningful employment. That partnership began thanks to Linda Ruibal, whose daughter attended Notre Dame and inspired the family to give back in a lasting way.

The Ruibals also run a unique farm system, where young teens (some as young as 12) work alongside their parents on weekends, loading cars for tips and learning responsibility. Many of these young workers stay through high school — and several return as full-time employees with their own clientele.

Now entering its third generation, the company is transitioning leadership from Michael and Linda to their son, Mark Ruibal. Mark shared how they’ve been evolving from a “family-tells-you-what-to-do” model to a more collaborative operation, where roles are delegated, and employees — many of whom have grown up within the company — are empowered to lead.

During the visit, Mark reflected on how TNLA has shaped his journey.
“TNLA helped me realize that so many of our peers are facing the same challenges we are. It’s a reminder that we’re not alone — and it’s important to pay attention to what others are doing and foster that collaboration. We might not always agree, but TNLA provides that platform for open conversation and growth.”

As a long-time TNLA member, Ruibal’s has found value in staying informed on water and legislative updates, while also investing in certification programs that have helped many of their employees become Certified Nurserymen — building credibility and expertise they can proudly share with customers.
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For Devin, this visit was a perfect example of what his Chairman theme represents: celebrating diversity in our community and uplifting women in horticulture. Through Linda’s leadership, the Ruibal family has built a legacy that grows far beyond plants — they’ve cultivated opportunity, compassion, and connection.

Watch the full spotlight interview here or click the image below: https://youtu.be/IvIiy3Dvf6U​

As past winner Lauren Lasus shared, winning a TNLA award is more than recognition — it’s a spark that motivates students to lead, innovate, and give back.

With your help, we can continue to support tomorrow’s leaders while strengthening the future of the Texas green industry.


Questions? Contact [email protected]

Last week, TNLA hosted a webinar with Jeremy Mazur, one of Texas’ leading voices on water policy, to examine how Proposition 4 and other statewide initiatives could shape the future of our state’s water supply, conservation, and infrastructure. Proposition 4—on the ballot this November—would dedicate $1 billion per year from existing sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund producing up to $20 billion of new funding over the next 20 years.

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Jeremy emphasized that while new funding tools are essential, Texas’ long-term water security will ultimately depend on sustained infrastructure investment and close collaboration among utilities, landscapers, growers, and irrigators. He highlighted the role TNLA members already play in leading the way—designing sustainable landscapes, advancing efficient irrigation practices, and advocating for balanced policies that promote both conservation and customer choice.
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 📺 Watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/lq-BuOC35qY
🎧 Listen to the full conversation here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfv6buk 

Water is the lifeline of our industry. Whether you’re a landscaper, grower, or irrigator, your ability to thrive depends on the reliability and rules of the system that supplies your water. Yet many Texans don’t know who their actual water purveyor is, or what authority sets the policies that affect their operations.

Understanding this is not just good business, it’s essential for protecting your livelihood and preparing for the future.

Step 1: Identify Your Water Provider
Your water can come from several types of sources:

🏙️City or Municipal Utility – Common in urban and suburban areas. These utilities often adopt drought contingency plans, watering restrictions, and rate structures that directly impact landscapes and irrigation.
🏢Private Provider or Investor-Owned Utility – Smaller systems that are still regulated but may have different policies and pricing structures.
🪣Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) – In many rural areas, a GCD manages groundwater pumping and permits. Districts were created at different times with different powers, so the rules vary greatly across Texas. TNLA supports GCDs being managed through locally elected boards rather than top-down mandates.
🗺️No District at All – In some areas, there is no conservation district, which can leave water users exposed to less oversight but also fewer protections for long-term supply.

To find your provider, check your most recent water bill or your county’s water utility listings. For groundwater users, consult the Texas Water Development Board’s list of GCDs.


Step 2: Learn Their Rules and Plans
Once you know your purveyor, the next step is to understand the framework that governs them:

🚦Drought Contingency Plans – These dictate how and when watering restrictions are implemented. For example, a Stage 1 drought may limit outdoor watering to twice a week, while Stage 3 could ban it altogether, which could mean nurseries, growers, and landscapers could face severe impacts if not prepared. Click here for an example of Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan.
🏗️Infrastructure Investments – Many utilities are building new or expanding existing treatment plants, negotiating water supply contracts, or exploring aquifer storage. These projects will affect both reliability and cost.


Step 3: Understand Regional Water Planning
Texas is divided into 16 Regional Water Planning Groups. Every five years, these groups develop plans that feed into the State Water Plan. Each plan identifies future supply needs and strategies to meet them.

If you’re in the green industry, you should know which region you’re in and review the plan.

• Irrigators are legally required to be represented in this process, but growers and landscapers have a stake too—because conservation targets, drought triggers, and water supply projects all ripple down to our members.

Step 4: Know Your Source
Different water sources bring different risks and rules:

🌊Surface Water (Rivers, Reservoirs) – Prone to drought shortages, often tied to large contracts with entities like the Brazos River Authority or Colorado River system.
💦Groundwater – Can be reliable, but subject to pumping limits or well spacing rules if a GCD is in place.
🔀Mixed Supply – Many cities now diversify, combining surface water contracts with groundwater leases.

The source matters because conservation policies often reflect their vulnerability. For example, a city reliant on surface water may adopt tighter outdoor watering restrictions than one with strong groundwater supplies.


Step 5: Put It into Practice
Once you understand who your purveyor is, take these steps:

1. 🤝Introduce Yourself – Reach out to your city’s conservation staff or GCD board. TNLA has seen the value of being a resource, not just a customer.
2. 🔔Stay Informed – Sign up for drought stage notifications, attend utility meetings, and review regional water plans.
3. 📣Be a Voice – Remind decision-makers that landscapes, nurseries, and irrigation systems are not optional luxuries but vital infrastructure for cooling cities, preserving green space, and supporting Texas’ economy. TNLA advocates for conservation that balances efficiency with customer choice.

Final Thought
Water policy in Texas is not one-size-fits-all. Districts were created at different times, under different laws, and with different powers. But no matter where you live or work, one fact is true: knowing your water purveyor and engaging with them gives you a seat at the table.

Our industry is part of the solution. By working with water providers and planning groups, we can ensure that Texas landscapes stay vibrant, sustainable, and resilient for generations to come.


📬 Questions or need help?
Contact Karan Mehta, Legislative & Regulatory Manager – [email protected]