Lawn Weeds Identification Chart: Learn to Identify and Control 50+ Lawn Weeds

Identifying lawn weeds can be a daunting task, but with the right tools, you can take control of your yard. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the most common types of lawn weeds.

Dandelions are one of the most recognizable weeds, with their bright yellow flowers and jagged leaves. They can grow up to 24 inches tall and spread quickly through seeds.

Many lawn weeds can be controlled by removing them manually, but some require more specialized treatment. For example, clover weeds can be difficult to eradicate due to their deep taproots.

Some weeds, like plantain, can be beneficial to your lawn as they help to break up compacted soil and improve drainage.

Annual weeds are a common problem for many homeowners. They germinate, grow, produce seeds, and die all within a year.

Crabgrass is a notorious annual weed that can be particularly challenging to control. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and produce thousands of seeds.

Annual weeds like foxtail and barnyard grass can spread quickly through lawns, causing damage and creating an uneven appearance.

Expand your knowledge: Jonathan Green Annual Lawn Care Program

Annual Bluegrass is a common annual weed that can be found in many lawns and gardens. It's a type of grass that grows in clumps or bunches, typically reaching a height of up to 8 inches.

Annual Bluegrass reproduces by seed, which is why it can be so difficult to get rid of once it takes hold. This weed is often mistaken for perennial bluegrass, which is a more desirable type of grass.

If you're trying to identify Annual Bluegrass, look for its light green leaves and flat stems. It's also worth noting that this weed can grow in dense patches, making it a challenge to remove by hand.

Annual Bluegrass is often listed alongside other weeds, such as barnyardgrass and black medic, in weed identification guides. This is because it shares many characteristics with these other weeds, including its ability to grow quickly and produce large amounts of seed.

If you're looking for ways to control Annual Bluegrass, consider using Preen products specifically designed to target this type of weed. These products can help prevent the weed from germinating and growing, making it easier to maintain a healthy and weed-free lawn.

Suggestion: How Long after Weed and Feed Can I Plant Seed

Crabgrass is a type of grass that grows flat and spreading, with light green leaves.

It's a summer annual, which means it completes its life cycle within a single growing season.

Crabgrass can grow up to 18 inches tall and 20 inches wide, making it a noticeable weed in lawns.

It reproduces by seed, which can spread quickly if not controlled.

You can control crabgrass by using a pre-emergent weed preventer to stop seeds from sprouting, pulling it by hand, or spot-treating with a nonselective herbicide.

You might enjoy: Crabgrass Creeping Lawn Weeds

Perennial weeds are a persistent problem in many lawns. They can be challenging to eradicate because they have a deep root system that allows them to regrow year after year.

Some common perennial weeds include dandelions, plantain, and clover. These weeds can be identified by their distinctive leaves and flowers.

Dandelions, for example, have jagged, tooth-like leaves and bright yellow flowers that turn into fluffy seeds. They can grow up to 12 inches tall and have a taproot that can be several inches deep.

You might like: Lawn Weeds with Pink Flowers

Plantain, on the other hand, has broad, flat leaves with wavy edges and small, greenish-white flowers. It can grow up to 2 feet tall and has a rhizome that allows it to spread quickly.

Clover, with its small, round leaves and pink or white flowers, can grow up to 6 inches tall and has a deep taproot that makes it hard to pull out.

For another approach, see: Chickweed Lawn Weeds with White Flowers

Ragweed is a common lawn weed that can be identified by its finely cut green leaves that resemble ferns. Mulching your garden can prevent ragweed from growing, or you can use a post-emergent herbicide or pull it out by hand.

Stinging nettle is another garden weed that thrives in rich, moist soil. Its sawtooth-edge leaves are covered with tiny stinging hairs that can irritate your skin, so be sure to wear gloves when removing this plant.

To control stinging nettle, mulch around the area to prevent it from growing, or dig it out by hand. You can also treat it with an herbicide, but be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid harming your lawn.

Discover more: Herbicide for Lawn Weeds

Barnyard grass is a summer annual that can grow up to 4 feet tall if not mowed. It's a nutrient drain in your yard, pulling nutrients away from the good grass.

Its growth habit is bunch-type to slightly spreading, and its leaf color is medium green. It reproduces by seed.

This weed has a flat leaf with a bluish-purplish tint to it, making it stand out in your lawn. It's a good idea to keep an eye out for it, especially in areas where the grass is sparse or patchy.

Barnyard grass can be controlled with selective herbicides or by manually removing individual weeds.

Readers also liked: Is Lawn Care a Good Business

Dallisgrass is a perennial grassy weed that can grow quite tall, reaching heights of 14 inches to 5 feet.

It's a bit of a tricky weed to get rid of, but maintaining a healthy lawn can help prevent it from popping up in the first place.

Dallisgrass prefers to grow in sandy and clay soil, and it thrives in full sun or partial shade.

Expand your knowledge: Green & Grow Lawn Care

Its growth habit is quite distinctive, forming an ever-enlarging circular clump with a coarse texture.

It's worth noting that dallisgrass can resemble crabgrass, but it's much taller and has larger seed heads.

If you spot it in your lawn, landscape, or garden, you can try removing it by hand or applying pre- and post-emergent herbicides.

Dallisgrass can grow quite wide, up to 18 inches or larger, so be prepared to tackle it head-on.

Goosegrass is a type of grass that thrives during the summer months as a summer annual. It grows in a flat, clumpy habit.

Its leaves are a medium green color with a distinctive silver center. I've noticed that goosegrass can be quite invasive in lawns and gardens.

Goosegrass reproduces by seed, which allows it to spread quickly in suitable conditions.

If this caught your attention, see: Killing Lawn Weeds in Summer

Black Medic is a summer annual that can be easily mistaken for clover due to its similar appearance, but it's distinguished by its yellow flowers.

It grows in poor, dry soil in full sun and can form a dense mat with its creeping stems.

Black Medic can grow up to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide, making it a noticeable presence in gardens.

To control Black Medic, mulch your garden to prevent it from growing, or pull or dig out the weeds by hand or use an herbicide.

Keeping the soil well watered and amended with organic matter like compost can also discourage Black Medic from growing.

Black Medic is a noxious weed, so it's essential to take control measures to prevent it from spreading.

Broadleaf Plantain is a perennial weed that grows in a bunch-type habit.

Its leaves are a light green color, making them easy to spot in a lawn or garden.

Broadleaf Plantain reproduces by seed, so if you don't remove the plant entirely, it will continue to spread and multiply.

For another approach, see: Broadleaf Weeds in Lawn

Ground ivy is a broadleaf perennial that spreads quickly, making it a common lawn weed. It reproduces by seed, rhizomes, and above ground runners.

Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, can be identified by its scalloped leaves, creeping stems, and clusters of purple flowers in late spring. The plant gives off a distinctive mint-like scent when mowed or crushed.

Mulching garden areas in the spring can help prevent creeping Charlie from taking over. Pulling the plant by hand or spraying it with a post-emergent herbicide in the spring or fall can also be effective.

Creeping Charlie can grow up to 8 inches tall and 2 feet wide, making it a noticeable presence in sunny landscape or garden areas.

Here's an interesting read: Creeping Charlie Lawn

Henbit is a low-growing, spreading weed with scallop-edge leaves and tiny purple flowers. It's a broadleaf plant that can grow up to 6 feet tall and 18 inches wide.

Henbit thrives in sunny or partly shaded lawn, landscape, or garden areas, making it a common sight in many outdoor spaces. It's also a good idea to control it by mulching to prevent it from growing in gardens or using pre-emergent herbicide in spring.

This weed reproduces by seed and can be a nuisance to gardeners and landscapers. To get rid of it, you can pull the plants by hand or treat them with a broadleaf herbicide in lawns.

For more insights, see: How to Get Rid of Broad Leaf Weeds in Lawn

Nutsedge is a perennial weed with a distinctive growth habit.

It has slender, grassy leaves and triangular stems that can grow faster than your grass, making it easy to spot.

Nutsedge reproduces by rhizomes and tubers, which allows it to quickly spread and establish itself in your lawn.

One way to prevent nutsedge from taking over is to mulch garden areas in the spring, which can help prevent it from growing.

If you do find yourself with a nutgrass infestation, you can try pulling it up by hand, but be prepared for repeated weeding to get rid of it completely.

Herbicides are also an option, but make sure to use the right one for your type of turf grass to avoid damaging it.

Oxalis is a summer annual weed that can grow in a variety of landscape or garden areas, including sunny or shady spots.

Its light green leaves resemble clovers and are a distinctive feature of this weed.

To control oxalis, mulch garden areas in the spring to prevent its growth, or pull the weeds by hand or spray with a broadleaf herbicide in the spring or fall.

Oxalis produces seeds, which can lead to its spread and persistence in the garden.

The cup-shape yellow flowers of oxalis appear in summer and fall, adding to its visibility and need for control.

On a similar theme: Fall Lawn Treatment for Weeds

Purslane is a broadleaf annual with a slightly spreading growth habit. It can grow quite large, up to 2 feet wide.

Its leaves are medium green and thick, very fleshy to the touch. They're a distinctive feature of this weed.

Purslane produces small yellow flowers at the ends of its stems, which can be a clue to its identity.

Sheep Sorrel is a broadleaf plant that thrives as a summer perennial, meaning it grows and dies back with the seasons.

Its low spreading growth habit allows it to spread out and cover a wide area, making it a common sight in many gardens and meadows.

Sheep Sorrel reproduces by seed and rhizomes, which means it can quickly spread and take over if not controlled.

The leaves of Sheep Sorrel are a medium green color, providing a distinctive contrast to other plants in the area.

See what others are reading: Red Sorrel Red Weeds in Lawn

Shepherd's Purse is a biennial weed, which means it completes its life cycle in two years. This can make it harder to control than annual weeds.

Its broadleaf shape and glossy dark green color make it stand out in most gardens. I've seen it growing in dense clusters, taking over entire patches of soil.

Shepherd's Purse grows erect, which means it stands upright, often reaching a height of several inches. This can make it harder to spot than prostrate weeds that hug the ground.

It reproduces by seed, which means it can spread quickly if not controlled. I've noticed that seeds can remain viable in the soil for years, waiting for the right conditions to germinate.

Wild Violet is a low-growing, spreading plant that can form a dense groundcover with its heart-shaped dark green leaves.

It reproduces by stolons and rhizomes, making it a persistent weed to control.

To prevent Wild Violet from taking over your garden, mulch your beds in the spring, or pull the weeds by hand or spray with a broadleaf herbicide in the spring or fall.

Discover more: Lawn Care Spring Lawncarespring.com

Be sure to avoid eating the blossoms after applying herbicides, as they're edible when fresh.

Wild Violet can grow up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, making it a significant presence in your garden if left unchecked.

If you're trying to identify Wild Violet, look for its small purple flowers that appear in late spring and its gray-green leaves.

Expand your knowledge: 7 Signs That You 're Cutting Your Grass Too Short

Canada Thistle can grow up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, making it a formidable presence in your garden or landscape.

This invasive weed thrives in sunny lawn, landscape, or garden areas, where it can quickly outcompete native plants for water and nutrients.

Canada Thistle has distinctive spiny, gray-green leaves and produces vibrant purple flowers, but beware of its extensive root system that can spread several feet out from the main plant.

To control this pesky weed, try mulching your garden to prevent it from taking hold in landscape areas. Alternatively, use a broadleaf herbicide in lawns during spring or fall, or dig it out by hand, remembering to wear thick gloves to protect yourself from the sharp spines.

You might enjoy: Lawn Garden Pump Pressure Sprayer for Yard Weed

Musk Thistle is a biennial weed that can grow up to 6 feet tall.

It's a member of the Asteraceae family, which also includes dandelions and sunflowers.

Musk Thistle produces small, purple flowers that are clustered together in a spherical shape.

These flowers are a favorite of bees and other pollinators, but they're also a sign of the weed's presence.

Musk Thistle seeds are dispersed by the wind, and they can remain viable for up to 5 years.

The weed's roots can grow up to 10 feet deep, making it a challenging weed to control.

Musk Thistle has a strong, unpleasant odor that's often compared to rotten eggs.

This smell is caused by a chemical called isothiocyanate, which is also responsible for the weed's ability to repel animals.

Musk Thistle is often found in fields, meadows, and along roadsides, where it can outcompete native plants for resources.

It's a common weed in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America.

Dandelions are a common sight in many gardens and lawns, but they can be a real nuisance.

Their long taproot allows them to grow deep into the soil, making them difficult to remove.

You can prevent dandelions from taking over your garden by mulching the area.

Dandelion weeds can be pulled by hand, but be sure to get the entire root system to prevent regrowth.

If you prefer a more chemical approach, you can treat lawns with a broadleaf herbicide that won't harm the grass.

Dandelions can grow up to 12 inches tall and 12 inches wide, making them a noticeable presence in your yard.

Broaden your view: Invasive Grass Weeds in Lawns Identification

Fleabane is a common weed that can be found in many gardens and landscapes. It thrives in areas with sun to partial shade.

Its slender leaves are attached to an upright, branching stem, producing small white to pale lavender, daisy-like flowers in the spring and early summer. The flowers are a distinctive feature of the plant.

To control fleabane, you can mulch your garden to prevent it from growing. This is a simple and effective method to keep fleabane at bay.

Fleabane is relatively easy to remove by hand, as it can be pulled up from the soil. Alternatively, you can mow it down if it's growing in your lawn.

Fleabane can grow quite tall, reaching up to 12 inches in height and width.

Knotweed is an invasive groundcover with blue-green leaves sparsely appearing on long stems.

To prevent it from taking over, try applying a deep layer of mulch or using a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring.

It thrives in dry soil, making it a common sight in lawn, landscape, and garden areas with poor drainage.

Hand-pulling or spot-treating with a nonselective weed killer can be effective once the plant has grown and become more visible.

Lamb's Quarter is a broadleaf biennial that can grow quite tall, reaching up to 15 feet in height and width.

Mulching your garden can help prevent lamb's quarter from taking over.

Pigweed is a tall plant with a taproot. It's easily recognizable by its hairy-looking clusters of green flowers. Some varieties are even grown as annuals.

Mulching garden areas in the spring is a great way to prevent pigweed from growing. This simple technique can save you a lot of time and effort later on.

You can also use a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring to keep pigweed under control. This will give you a head start on preventing its growth.

If you do end up with pigweed, pulling it by hand is a good option. This is especially effective if you catch it early, before it has a chance to spread.

Poison ivy can be a vine, shrub, or groundcover.

Its leaves are divided into three leaflets and can sprout clusters of green berries.

Preventing poison ivy is easier than treating it, so apply a deep layer of mulch to discourage it from growing in your yard.

If poison ivy does start to grow, spot-treat it with an herbicide or remove it by hand, taking care to avoid touching the oils that cause allergic skin reactions.

All parts of poison ivy contain oils that cause a severe allergic skin reaction in many people on contact.

These oils are present even in dead leaves, so be careful not to disturb them when removing the plant.

Ragweed is a common weed that can be found in many gardens. Mulch your garden to prevent ragweed from growing.

Its leaves are finely cut and green, resembling those of ferns.

To control ragweed, use a post-emergent herbicide or pull it out by hand.

Red Dead Nettle is a common weed that can be found in many areas. It has square stems and light purple flowers with a tubular shape.

New leaves on the Red Dead Nettle plant often have a purplish tinge, making it a bit easier to identify. This distinctive characteristic can help you spot the weed before it takes over your garden or yard.

If you notice Red Dead Nettle growing, it's best to take action quickly. Use a post-emergent herbicide before the weed flowers to prevent it from spreading further.

Removing individual weeds by hand is another effective way to control Red Dead Nettle. Just be sure to wear gloves and take your time to avoid spreading the seeds further.

Smartweed is an upright plant with lance-shape leaves often marked with purple chevrons, and it produces pink or white flowers in summer and fall.

Mulching garden beds in spring can help prevent smartweed seeds from sprouting.

Stinging Nettle is a garden weed that thrives in areas with rich, moist soil.

Its distinctive leaves are covered with tiny, sawtooth-edged hairs that can cause skin irritation upon contact. Wear gloves when handling this plant to avoid any discomfort.

Greenish-yellowish flower clusters appear in spring and summer, and seeds ripen in the fall.

Persian Speedwell is a common garden and lawn weed that thrives in rich, consistently moist soil in full to part sun, especially in freshly disturbed areas.

It forms low-growing mats of small green leaves with toothed edges in cooler months, and these mats fade away in summer. Tiny blue or purple flowers with a white center appear in late winter into early summer.

Mulch is a great way to prevent Persian Speedwell seeds from sprouting in garden beds.

For another approach, see: Summer Weeds in Lawn

Yellow Sweet Clover is a common garden weed that can be identified by its slender, lanky branches, clover-like leaves, and fragrant yellow flowers.

It's usually 1-3 feet tall and 12-18 inches wide. If you notice this weed in your garden, it's best to act quickly to prevent it from spreading.

To control Yellow Sweet Clover, you can try mulching your garden to prevent it from growing. Alternatively, you can pull the plants by hand or spot-treat them with an herbicide.

Remember to always read and follow the directions on the herbicide label for your own safety and the safety of others.

If you're struggling to identify the weeds in your yard, there are many tools available to help.

You can quickly identify weeds by state and type using a weed identification chart.

Some common lawn weeds include annual bluegrass, broadleaf dock, and creeping woodsorrel.

To control these weeds, you can use products specifically designed for their control.

Many weeds have distinctive characteristics that can help you identify them, such as the shape of their leaves or the color of their flowers.

For example, the leaves of the broadleaf plantain are typically broad and oval-shaped, while the leaves of the creeping woodsorrel are heart-shaped.

Other weeds, like the annual bluegrass, have a distinctive blue-green color.

Using a weed identification chart can help you quickly and easily identify the weeds in your yard.

By knowing the type of weed you're dealing with, you can choose the best course of action for control.

Readers also liked: Lawn Weeds Identification Pictures