Invasive plants cause significant economic and environmental impacts worldwide. Plant invasion prediction is an important technical aspect of port management. After explaining the concept behind the method for screening invasive plants, this review briefly introduces the basic theories and research progress regarding the method for screening invasive plants, and introduces three ways to construct a method for screening invasive plants. In general, the method for screening invasive plant mainly uses the biological and ecological characteristics of plants as an evaluation index to screen invasive plants, which can quickly and reliably rate alien plants as major invasive plants, non-invasive plants, and minor invasive plants. Therefore, we conclude that the method for screening invasive plants can provide basic technical support for the management of ports in China to prevent the invasion of alien plants. In China, the research and application of the method for screening invasive plants have just begun. Therefore, this article is expected to lead relevant personnel to discuss this issue and provide a theoretical reference for the prevention and control of invasive plants at ports in China.