Unwanted guests, such as weeds, can easily overrun a healthy lawn. From broadleaf invaders to grassy nuisances and sedges, these persistent plants compete with your turf for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Knowing how to identify weeds correctly is the first step to controlling them effectively.
This Lawn Weed Identification Chart will help you recognize the most common lawn weeds, understand their characteristics, and choose the best control methods for each.
Lawn Weed Identification Chart
| Weed Name | Type | Identification Features | Growth Season | Control Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) | Broadleaf | Bright yellow flower, deep taproot, toothed leaves in a rosette pattern. | Perennial (Spring & Fall) | Hand-pull before flowering; apply post-emergent broadleaf herbicide. |
| Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) | Grassy | Low-growing grass with wide leaves and coarse texture; forms mats. | Summer Annual | Use pre-emergent herbicide in spring; maintain dense turf to prevent germination. |
| Clover (Trifolium repens) | Broadleaf | Small, white or pinkish flowers; trifoliate (3-part) leaves. | Perennial | Apply selective broadleaf herbicide; improve lawn nitrogen levels. |
| Chickweed (Stellaria media) | Broadleaf | Small white star-like flowers; smooth leaves; sprawling stems. | Winter Annual | Remove manually; use pre-emergent in fall and post-emergent in spring. |
| Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) | Broadleaf | Round, scalloped leaves; purple flowers; creeping stems that root at nodes. | Perennial | Hand-pull with root; apply triclopyr-based herbicide. |
| Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus / esculentus) | Sedge | Triangular stem; yellow or purple seed head; glossy, grass-like leaves. | Perennial | Use selective sedge herbicide (halosulfuron or sulfentrazone). |
| Plantain (Plantago major) | Broadleaf | Broad, oval leaves with parallel veins; tall flower spikes. | Perennial | Hand-pull young plants; use post-emergent herbicide for broadleaf weeds. |
| Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) | Broadleaf | Square stem; purple tubular flowers; rounded, scalloped leaves. | Winter Annual | Mow before seed set; use pre-emergent in fall. |
| Oxalis (Oxalis stricta) | Broadleaf | Clover-like leaves with yellow flowers; seed pods explode when dry. | Perennial | Pull by hand; apply post-emergent herbicide for oxalis. |
| Spurge (Euphorbia spp.) | Broadleaf | Red stems, milky sap; small opposite leaves; grows flat on soil. | Summer Annual | Pull before seed set; pre-emergent control with pendimethalin or prodiamine. |
| Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) | Broadleaf | Twining vine with arrow-shaped leaves and white-pink flowers. | Perennial | Spot-treat with glyphosate; repeated mowing weakens plants. |
| Wild Violet (Viola sororia) | Broadleaf | Heart-shaped leaves; purple-blue flowers; spreads via rhizomes. | Perennial | Use triclopyr-based herbicide; aerate soil to improve drainage. |
| Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) | Broadleaf | Thick, fleshy stems; reddish tint; small yellow flowers. | Summer Annual | Pull by hand; apply pre-emergent in spring. |
| Foxtail (Setaria spp.) | Grassy | Upright grass with bushy seed heads resembling a fox’s tail. | Summer Annual | Apply pre-emergent herbicide; maintain proper mowing height. |
| Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) | Grassy | Light-green color; seed heads appear even when mowed low. | Winter Annual | Use pre-emergent in fall; maintain good turf density. |
| Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) | Grassy | Fine-textured, light green; forms dense mats. | Perennial | Apply non-selective herbicide; reseed with desired turfgrass. |
| Black Medic (Medicago lupulina) | Broadleaf | Small yellow flowers; trifoliate leaves; low-growing habit. | Annual | Pull or use post-emergent herbicide; improve soil fertility. |
| Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) | Grassy | Flat stems forming rosette; whitish base; seed heads resemble fingers. | Summer Annual | Pre-emergent in spring; aerate compacted soil. |
| Speedwell (Veronica spp.) | Broadleaf | Small blue flowers; low mat-forming stems; rounded leaves. | Perennial | Use 2,4-D-based herbicide; improve lawn health. |
| Wild Onion (Allium canadense) | Bulbous | Tall, thin, hollow leaves; onion-like odor. | Perennial | Pull bulbs completely; use post-emergent control. |
| Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) | Broadleaf | Similar to Creeping Charlie; round leaves, minty smell. | Perennial | Triclopyr herbicide; maintain dense turf. |
| Broadleaf Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) | Broadleaf | Large, wavy-edged leaves; tall seed stalks. | Perennial | Dig out roots; use selective herbicide if widespread. |
| Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.) | Broadleaf Vine | Heart-shaped leaves; trumpet-like flowers. | Annual/Perennial | Pull vines early; spot-treat with systemic herbicide. |
| Sandbur (Cenchrus spp.) | Grassy | Spiny burs on seed heads; grows in sandy soils. | Summer Annual | Pre-emergent herbicide; mow before seed set. |
| Quackgrass (Elymus repens) | Grassy | Coarse grass; long rhizomes; light-green leaves with auricles. | Perennial | Dig up rhizomes; apply glyphosate spot treatment. |
| Dock Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) | Broadleaf | Arrow-shaped leaves; reddish tint. | Perennial | Pull before seed set; use 2,4-D selective herbicide. |
| Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) | Broadleaf | Thin, wiry stems; small oval leaves; thrives in compacted soil. | Annual | Aerate soil; apply pre-emergent herbicide. |
| Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) | Grassy | Fine blades, creeping stolons; aggressive spreader. | Perennial | Spot-treat with glyphosate; overseed with cool-season grass. |
| Buckhorn Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) | Broadleaf | Lance-shaped leaves; tall flower spikes. | Perennial | Pull or use post-emergent herbicide. |
| Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum) | Broadleaf | Hairy leaves; small white flowers; dense mats. | Perennial | Use broadleaf herbicide; improve lawn drainage. |
| Prostrate Knotweed (Polygonum arenastrum) | Broadleaf | Grows flat on the ground, wiry stems, small leaves. | Annual | Aerate compacted soil; use pre-emergent herbicide. |
| Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) | Broadleaf | Heart-shaped seed pods; small white flowers. | Winter Annual | Pull before seeding; use post-emergent herbicide. |
| Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) | Broadleaf | Deeply lobed leaves; greenish-yellow flowers; allergenic pollen. | Annual | Mow before flowering; apply post-emergent herbicide. |
| Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) | Grassy | Coarse blades; clump-forming growth. | Perennial | Spot-treat with non-selective herbicide. |
| Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta) | Broadleaf | Heart-shaped trifoliate leaves; small yellow flowers. | Perennial | Hand-pull or use broadleaf herbicide. |
| Broadleaf Signalgrass (Urochloa platyphylla) | Grassy | Broad flat leaves with hairy margins. | Summer Annual | Apply pre-emergent in spring; mow regularly. |
| Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola) | Broadleaf | Spiny leaf edges and midrib; yellow flowers. | Biennial | Pull before seed formation; apply post-emergent herbicide. |
| Poa Trivialis (Rough Bluegrass) | Grassy | Light green color; stoloniferous growth; shiny leaf underside. | Perennial | Use non-selective herbicide and reseed. |
| Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) | Broadleaf | Round seed pods; white flowers; strong odor when crushed. | Winter Annual | Pull before seeding; use selective herbicide. |
| Virginia Buttonweed (Diodia virginiana) | Broadleaf | Opposite leaves, white flowers; low-growing habit. | Perennial | Use 3-way herbicide mix with dicamba and 2,4-D. |
| Annual Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) | Grassy | Shiny leaves, upright growth; coarse texture. | Annual | Spot-treat with glyphosate; overseed with desired turfgrass. |
| Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) | Broadleaf | Curled leaf margins; tall seed stalks. | Perennial | Dig roots or apply systemic herbicide. |
| Common Mallow (Malva neglecta) | Broadleaf | Round leaves, long petioles, low-growing habit. | Annual/Perennial | Hand-pull; apply broadleaf herbicide. |
| Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) | Broadleaf | Small white flowers; seed pods burst when touched. | Winter Annual | Pull early; use pre-emergent in fall. |
| Annual Lespedeza (Lespedeza striata) | Broadleaf | Trifoliate leaves with parallel veins; woody stems. | Summer Annual | Apply pre-emergent in spring; mow high. |
| Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) | Broadleaf | Spiny leaves; purple flowers; deep roots. | Perennial | Spot-treat with systemic herbicide; dig roots. |
| Sedge (Carex spp.) | Sedge | Triangular stems; glossy narrow leaves. | Perennial | Apply halosulfuron or imazaquin herbicide. |
| Poa Annua Var. Reptans | Grassy | Fine texture; light green color; creeping habit. | Annual | Apply pre-emergent in fall; maintain turf density. |
| Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) | Grassy | Coarse blades, seed heads with multiple branches. | Perennial | Spot-treat with non-selective herbicide; reseed bare areas. |
| Wild Mustard (Sinapis arvensis) | Broadleaf | Yellow flowers; lobed leaves; tall stems. | Annual | Pull before seeding; post-emergent herbicide. |
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Tips for Effective Lawn Weed Control
- Mow Properly – Maintain your mower blades sharp and avoid cutting too short. Taller grass shades the soil, preventing weed seeds from germinating.
- Feed Your Lawn – A well-fertilized lawn grows thicker and resists weed invasion.
- Water Deeply, Not Frequently – Shallow watering encourages weeds with shallow roots.
- Aerate and Dethatch – Compacted soil and excessive thatch encourage certain weeds like knotweed and goosegrass.
- Apply Herbicides Wisely – Use pre-emergents in spring/fall and spot-treat perennials during active growth.
- Overseed Bare Spots – Bare soil is an open invitation to weed seeds.
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Final Thoughts
Identifying lawn weeds accurately helps you choose the right control strategy before they take over. Whether you’re dealing with dandelions, crabgrass, or nutsedge, the key is consistent monitoring and maintenance. Use the chart above to pinpoint your weed problem and act early to restore a lush, weed-free lawn.
