Amsterdam’s Centrum borough council is introducing new rules to limit the number of flower pots in the city centre, in an effort to create space and prevent “messiness”.

The private owners of flower pots will have to comply with more than 30 plant pot rules, including placing no more than two pots on the pavement per person. Pots will have to be smaller, made of a sustainable material, and no poisonous or prickly plants will be allowed.

In addition, the pots of climbing roses, wisteria and creepers beloved by city centre dwellers will only be sanctioned by city officials if everyone living in the building agrees.

The borough councils says the new rules will prevent “messy streets” and make more space on the pavements for passersby and people with mobility issues.

Plants make the streets prettier but also have disadvantages because many are non-indigenous and do little to benefit bees and butterflies, the council said.

Centrum wants to ban pots altogether in some streets. The Czaar Peterstraat, far from the touristy centre, has been singled out for a total ban. That means the plants around a tree in the street will have to go as well, owner Nafa Honic told the Parool. “These are all evergreens and have lovely flowers. I don’t get it, it’s not in anyone’s way.”

The rules will not apply to planters placed on the city streets by the council itself.