Looks like a variety of spurge to me. I hate this stuff. A problem with this stuff is that it is a perennial, plus it produces lots and lots of seeds that remain in the soil for years sometimes before sprouting. It loves bare soil.

That's true - I guess I figured because mine came from an outdoor garden in Florida (many years ago) I thought they'd be alright being thrown out into a warmer, sunnier (my garden window does get a lot of sun - I've even had some aloe get a little sunburned, but it still doesn't compare to outdoor sun) environment than in my house. Pretty ignorant of me, but hey! You live and you learn. I'll definitely inspect the roots and see what's up! I normally do all of my gardening in my kitchen, but if the plant is full out infested with these suckers I don't think it's good idea to be doing it in my kitchen haha. I could take them outside and work on them once the weather warms up one last time before winter hits (fall weather has it's ups and downs here). I don't think it's ants - ant season is over here, and when my garden window has ants, you can see them. But a good suggestion!! I appreciate it.

I intentionally planted this as well and seriously regret it. However, I have planted other things that are invasive and don't respond to round up. They are a bigger issue. This does respond to round up. I know this is not always the acceptable answer for those that do not like chemicals, but round up does kill it. Even with round up it takes years. Use round up on a paint brush with latex gloves and hand paint the leaves carefully.

Hi there, I do not know what drench you could use. Spraying with Conserve has been the only true effective method of controlling thrips in my garden when I have them in large numbers. The best way to dealing with them organically is having a strong population of minute pirate bugs and lacewings but when it comes to chemicals Conserve works. Please note overuse may create resistance in the thrip population. I wish you good luck and hope you have many blooms to bring your wife this year. Also roses that open faster tend to show less thrips damage in my garden since the little monsters don’t get enough time inside the bud to destroy it. English roses show less damage here than the slower opening hybrid teas.