Weeds grow on lawns – it’s a fact of life. These tough native plants will turn up from time to time, but if you can identify them quickly, it gives you the best chance of stopping them at the root before they’re established.
Below are the most common lawn weeds in Georgia and what to do about them.
1. Dandelion
Dandelions are tough and spread quickly – the yellow head turns into silvery seeds that root wherever the wind blows them. They develop a deep taproot that will quickly grow back into a new plant if not removed entirely.
Identification
Among the most common lawn weeds in Georgia, you can identify a dandelion by its bright yellow flower and broad, jagged leaves.
Control
It’s best to remove dandelions before they mature. The taproot should be fully extracted where possible. A weedkiller may treat deeper roots and those that have grown into cracks in concrete.
2. Nutsedge
This weed can be hard to identify as it looks like grass. However, it’s actually a sedge. It grows taller and thicker than grass and has a tough stem.
Identification
Grassy leaves spread outwards from a stem. It’s the same color as grass, but the leaves have a triangular shape stem. It tends to grow in clusters.
Control
Nutsedge will spread quickly and develops a strong taproot. Regular mowing and keeping the lawn well-watered will help the grass outgrow it. Mature plants may require a weedkiller. It is best to NOT pull this weed. It will spread from the small tuber underground.
3. Goosegrass
Goosegrass is a flat growing weed that has a white center. It spreads easily and loves to grow at borders and in cracks.
Identification
Wide, flat leaves turn pale at the base. Leaves often appear dry and sharp at the edge. It has a white center. Goosegrass grows in clusters.
Control
Aerating the lawn and ensuring the soil isn’t too dense should help your grass compete with goosegrass. Complete removal is tricky. Weed control is necessary for control. A pre- emergent program is the first line of defense. Post-emergent control is difficult and can damage the lawn.
4. Poa Trivialis
This grass is one of the most common lawn weeds in Georgia. Its mature heads spread seeds easily, making it a pervasive issue once established.
Identification
Poa Trivialis has a light, lime green color. It mainly grows in fall and winter, and it grows taller than Fescue grass. Dark brownish heads appear on thick patches of grass; they desiccate to a firm touch and spread seeds. It leaves dark patches on the lawn once it dies out.
Control
This weed is not able to be controlled in Fescue. The best solution is to Round Up the area and start fresh with new Fescue.
5. Poa Annua
Poa annua also appears in the fall but looks very different from poa trivialis. It grows in unsightly clumps and is one of the least desirable lawn weeds in Georgia. The white seed heads are what make this weed so undesirable.
Identification
Thick, whitish stalks support a head that desiccates and spreads seeds. Leaves grow outward from the center and tend to turn yellow as the plant matures.
Control
Preventing waterlogging in the fall is the best way to prevent poa annua from taking root. King Green can offer pre-emergent for warm and cool season turf. Cool season lawn prevention is a three application program, while warm season is a two application program.
6. Clover
Most Georgia homeowners don’t consider clover lucky – it’s very difficult to remove once established.
Identification
Leaves are formed of three deep green segments. Flowers tend to be white or pinkish.
Control
Clover flourishes when your grass is malnourished. It is easily treated with a broad leaf weed control.
7. Ground Ivy
Ground ivy spreads rapidly once established. It grows towards the edge of the lawn, and while it’s one of the prettier lawn weeds in Georgia, it outcompetes and overwhelms most other plants.
Identification
The leaves are kidney-shaped with blunt serrations along the margin, forming a dense carpet-like mat if left uncontrolled.
Control
Keeping the lawn trimmed and paying close attention to the edges should prevent ground ivy. Mow at 3” to allow more sunlight in the shaded areas. This will make for a healthier lawn.
8. Chickweed
With thick stems and tough leaves, chickweed can emerge anywhere on your lawn and is tough to remove once established.
Identification
The leaves are deep green, somewhat shiny, and oval. It grows small white flowers.
Control
Chickweed flourishes in shorter grass. It typically grows in fall – avoid cutting the grass too low to prevent chickweed outbreaks. It can be treated using a weedkiller.
9. Plantain
Plantain is a dense, ugly plant that flourishes in poor soil and grows through cracks.
Identification
Its broad, dull green leaves grow close together. Tall stalks emerge from the top. This plant doesn’t flower.
Control
It does best in dense, poorly aerated soil and loves to grow through exposed concrete. A weedkiller should be applied if the root can’t be fully removed.
10. Virginia Buttonweed
This plant grows in thick clusters and is common towards the edge of the lawn.
Identification
The leaves are pastel green and pointed at the end. Stalks grow in clusters, and white flowers grow as the plant matures. While it’s not an ugly weed, it will dominate wherever it grows.
Control
Lawns should be mowed regularly and aerated to let the grass outcompete this weed. But, weed control is necessary for complete control. It will overtake the lawn otherwise.
11. Spurge
Spurge resembles some thyme variants but is a tough weed to remove. It creates unsightly marks on lawns. This weed prefers heat. It likes to grow near the sidewalks and driveways and creates a mat that will smother the grass under the canopy.
Identification
Leaves are dark and grow densely. Stalks spread outwards in a circle and keep flat against the ground. Stems produce a white sap.
Control
It grows well in dry areas, so lawns should be kept well-watered in summer. A weedkiller will be necessary for mature spurge.
12. Doveweed
Doveweed is a short, persistent grass that grows annually. It germinates from mid-May to mid-June with a mat-forming growth pattern. Doveweed will push out the grass once it is established.
Identification
It looks very similar to lawn grass, but the leaves are slightly shorter and thicker. It produces purple flowers.
Control
Weed control is a must. Both pre-emergents AND post-emergents are necessary for control.
13. Crabgrass
This grassy weed grows annually in clumps and is one of the least desirable lawn weeds in Georgia.
Identification
Leaves are a dry green color and have sharp edges. It grows in thick clumps with leaves emerging from a central stalk.
Control
It flourishes in areas where the grass is thin or dry. A quality pre-emergent will control this weed.
14. Wild Violets
These grow pretty purple flowers but can overwhelm grass and other plants.
Identification
The leaves are small and roundish. It grows in clusters and develops deep purple flowers.
Control
Pulling up the weed can help. But, you must get the tuber up as well. Otherwise, new plants will form from the tuber. Weed control can help remove the weed, however, it will take several applications to do so. The tuber must be depleted of its energy before control can be achieved.
15. Henbit
Henbit grows tall, ugly stalks. The stem is square shaped. It flourishes in underpopulated parts of your lawn.
Identification
The leaves are rugged and have an off-green color. It produces violet flowers like droplets.
Control
Easy to control with weed control. However, mowing of the weed 3-5 days after the weed control is applied is necessary to remove the weed completely.
16. Bittercress
Bittercress is an annual plant that grows in clumps and spreads quickly. This weed is a heavy seeder. It will launch the seeds when disturbed.
Identification
Tall, straggly stems emerge from a thick layer of leaves. White flowers grow in groups up the stems.
Control
Bittercress thrives in undernourished areas. But, it is easy to control with a post-emergent weed control.
17. Oxalis
This plant’s leaves resemble clover, but it tends to grow taller.
Identification
Leaves are usually green but can be purple. Leaves have three parts and are shaped somewhat like butterflies. It tends to grow yellow flowers, and is often mistaken for clover.
Control
Oxalis can grow anywhere on the lawn. The plant doesn’t like being mowed, so regular maintenance prevents outbreaks. There is a bit more difficulty getting rid of this weed and may require a follow-up application for complete control.
18. Lespedeza
Lespedeza is an annual plant that grows in low clusters. It is similar to clover but has a woody stem, making control more difficult.
Identification
The plant produces several stems. Small green leaves grow out from these. It produces purple or pink flowers.
Control
Lespedeza thrives at the edge of the lawn and likes to grow through cracks in concrete. A weedkiller should be used on the remaining roots.
19. Dallisgrass
Dallisgrass is a menace. It’s one of the most persistent lawn weeds in Georgia and is extremely hard to remove fully.
Identification
Thick, sharp leaves grow outward from the center. It has a waxy leaf coating.
Control
Applying Round Up to the center of the weed will provide the fastest control. However, the lawn may experience some damage.
20. Chamberbitter
This annual plant grows quite tall and produces clusters of pale leaves. It is often called the “little mimosa tree”.
Identification
The leaves are a pale green color. Small stems grow outwards from a central stalk, and leaves grow densely on these. Leaves are oval, and some consider chamberbitter to be quite pretty.
Control
Easily controlled with weed control. Make sure to plan enough time for the chemical to move from the soil before Fescue aeration and seeding.
21. Wild Onions
Wild onions grow across Georgia and can take root towards the edge of your lawn. They particularly love to grow in underpopulated flower beds.
Identification
Rounded, grassy leaves are somewhat floppy. The plant will carry a distinctive onion smell. It typically grows in the fall. Wild onions have a waxy coating.
Control
Stepping on the weed prior to spraying will break the waxy layer and allow the chemical better access to the plant, producing a better control.
Summary
If you’ve been struggling to control lawn weeds in Georgia, it might be because you’ve been unable to identify them. Many types of grass appear similar but have different treatments. Identification is key to control.
Keep your lawn looking great year-round with these treatments. Choose an environmentally friendly weedkiller and ensure you pay attention to the edges. And remember: if you don’t dig the whole root out, they’ll come back! Weeds are among the toughest plants around, so it pays to be thorough.
