48 Common Lawn and Garden Weeds—and How to Eliminate Them for Good

1. Crabgrass, Digitaria Ischaemum

Crabgrass, named for its resemblance to sea-dwelling crabs, spreads close to the ground with its sprawling stems. As a true annual, it completes its lifecycle within a year. Seeds sprout in spring and begin growing before the warm-season grasses take root.

How to Prevent Crabgrass

Control crabgrass seed production by regularly mowing your lawn during late summer when crabgrass is producing seedheads. Keeping your lawn dense and healthy is usually enough to keep crabgrass from taking hold.

For troublesome spots, apply either an organic or synthetic pre-emergent herbicide, such as Espoma Organic Weed Preventer (organic) or Barricade Professional-Grade Pre-Emergent Weed Control (synthetic). These chemicals work by targeting seedlings before they can take root.

To be effective, pre-emergent herbicides should be applied before crabgrass seeds begin to sprout, when soil temperatures are between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. A good indicator for timing this is when the first forsythia blooms appear.

2. Henbit, Lamium Amplexicaule

This common winter annual or biennial often takes over lawns during late fall and winter. Henbit is easily identifiable in spring when its purple flowers appear in clusters among the upper leaves. The best way to combat henbit is by maintaining a thick, healthy turf.

The Most Effective Weed Killers for Henbit

Start by choosing a turfgrass variety that thrives in your region, then properly fertilize, mow, and water to promote dense growth. During late summer and fall, water the lawn deeply but infrequently, as weed seeds require moisture near the soil surface to sprout.

For a safe mineral-based herbicide, consider iron-containing products like Bonide Weed Beater FE and Natria Lawn Weed & Disease Control. Apply them to young, actively growing weeds in the spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. Reapply the treatment three to four weeks after the first application for best results.

3. Dandelion, Taraxacum Officinale

For many, dandelions bring nostalgic childhood memories, but as homeowners, we aren't as fond of seeing them in our lawns. This perennial weed has a deep tap root, making it tough to remove by hand.

How to Eliminate and Prevent Dandelions

Dandelions flourish in thin, patchy lawns. Regular overseeding and other methods to maintain a dense lawn help reduce seed germination. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn also benefits the turf. Both iron-based herbicides and pre-emergent products mentioned earlier are effective for dandelion control.

4. Nutsedge, Cyperus Esculentus (yellow nutsedge) and Cyperus Rotundus (purple nutsedge)

Nutsedge is a grass-like weed with unique triangular or v-shaped leaf blades. It tends to be especially aggressive in areas with frequent irrigation. The plant has a vast underground network of basal bulbs, roots, and delicate fibrous rhizomes, which makes management difficult as these reproductive parts often remain when attempting hand-pulling.

The Most Effective Weed Killer for Nutsedge

Improving drainage in damp areas and adjusting irrigation can make your lawn less inviting to nutsedge. For small infestations, hand-weeding may be the most effective method to remove the weeds. Be sure to dig deep and remove the entire root system. Keep monitoring the area after removal for any regrowth and repeat hand-pulling until all nutsedge is gone.

For widespread infestations, chemical control may be needed. Nutsedge requires specialized herbicides, like Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns, for proper control. Always follow the instructions on the label for correct application.

Typically, two applications are needed, spaced 10 to 14 days apart. Avoid mowing three to five days before and after applying control products, and don't water for at least 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Begin chemical control in late spring or early summer when nutsedge is young, actively growing, and most vulnerable to herbicide.

5. Creeping Charlie, Glechoma Hederacea

Also known as ground ivy, creeping Charlie features bright green, scalloped leaves. This perennial plant produces stems that root at the nodes, allowing it to spread rapidly and making it challenging to control once it becomes established.

How to Remove and Prevent Creeping Charlie

As with henbit, prevent creeping Charlie by keeping your lawn dense and healthy, and by choosing turfgrass varieties that are well-suited to your region. Hand-pulling is an efficient method for removing any creeping Charlie that appears.

When weeding, try to remove as many of the trailing stems as possible. This process will deplete the energy stored in the roots over time. Creeping Charlie is most frequently found in shaded lawns.

To maintain a thick turf, overseed with cool-season grasses as needed. Iron-based weed killers can also be effective in controlling creeping Charlie.

6. Shepherd's Purse, Capsella Bursa-Pastoris

Look for rosettes formed by the distinctively deeply serrated leaves of this annual weed and remove the young plants by hand as early as possible in the season. Continue to check the area for weeds and pull them out before they have a chance to produce seeds, helping reduce the seed bank in the soil.

The Best Weed Killers for Shepherd's Purse

Iron-based herbicides mentioned earlier are effective against shepherd's purse, as well as Barricade Professional-Grade Pre-Emergent Weed Control. For Barricade, apply it in late summer, fall, or winter to prevent the seeds of this cool-season weed from germinating.

7. Quackgrass, Elytrigia Repens

This invasive grass features long, coarse blades and distinctive seedheads resembling wheat. It establishes a deep root system and can regenerate from any root fragments left after manual removal.

The Best Weed Killers for Quackgrass

To prevent quackgrass, keep your lawn thick and healthy by providing proper care and overseeding areas with sparse grass. Regular mowing will help stop seed production, and manually removing the weed where possible is also effective.

Pre-emergent herbicides, as mentioned above, can be applied in early spring to stop seedlings from taking root. Keep in mind, however, that these herbicides should not be used when overseeding.

8. Broadleaf Plantain, Plantago Major

This perennial weed forms a sizeable rosette of smooth-edged leaves that can stretch up to 12 inches in diameter. During summer, it sends up tall stalks covered with seeds.

The Best Weed Killer for Broadleaf Plantain

Hand removal is generally effective for controlling plantain, provided you extract most of the root system. Weeding after rainfall or watering is beneficial, as the moist soil makes it easier to loosen the roots.

If the issue continues, consider applying an iron-based herbicide to manage any remaining broadleaf plantain weeds.

9. Chickweed, Stellaria Media

This winter-growing weed has tiny, fuzzy leaves and produces small white flowers in the spring. Chickweed generates numerous seeds, so the key to control is preventing them from maturing and spreading.

The Best Weed Killer for Chickweed

While chickweed can be pulled by hand, its low growth habit often makes it difficult to spot among the grass. Moreover, the plant flowers soon after germinating, which gives you a limited timeframe for effective control.

Due to its short window for effective management, applying a pre-emergent herbicide like Barricade Professional-Grade Pre-Emergent Weed Control in late fall or early winter is one of the most efficient ways to control chickweed. For already established plants, iron-based herbicides can be used for treatment.

10. Prostrate Knotweed, Polygonum Aviculare

This summer annual weed grows close to the ground with thin, spreading stems and tiny blue-green leaves. The name 'knotweed' comes from the distinct swollen nodes along the plant’s stems, which resemble small knots.

The Best Weed Killers for Common Knotweed

Knotweed prefers compacted soils, so frequent soil aeration can help make your lawn less hospitable to it. For established plants, removing them by hand is usually effective in residential areas.

When chemical control is required, iron-based herbicides are useful for managing young knotweed plants. Barricade Professional-Grade Pre-Emergent Weed Control can be applied in late winter or early spring to prevent knotweed seeds from germinating.

11. Common Ragweed, Ambrosia Artemisiifolia

Ragweed pollen is a notorious trigger for seasonal allergies, especially during summer and fall. Its fern-like appearance hides greenish blooms that release abundant pollen. It tends to grow in both wild spaces and gardens.

12. Clover Leaf, Trifolium Ripens or Trifolium Pratense

Clover can be an attractive, low-maintenance alternative to traditional grass lawns, making it worth considering if you'd rather keep it than remove it. As a perennial, it will return each year and is a popular treat for rabbits.

The Best Way to Control Clover

If you're not fond of those little white or pink blossoms in your yard, there are ways to eliminate clover without using herbicides. Applying a nitrogen-rich fertilizer will stimulate your lawn's growth, helping it outcompete the clover. Also, letting your lawn grow longer (more than 3 inches) will shade the clover, preventing it from thriving.

13. Poison Ivy, Toxicodendron Radicans

Poison ivy is one of the most notorious invasive plants. This perennial can appear in backyards, not just in the wilderness. Contact with the plant can lead to painful rashes and intense itching.

How to Control Poison Ivy

Poison ivy can be removed by cutting it down or digging it up (but remember to wear gloves and long sleeves to avoid skin contact). Glyphosate herbicides such as RoundUp or triclopyr-based products like Ortho Brush-B-Gon Poison Ivy Oak & Brush Killer can be used to eliminate the plants.

14. Poison Oak, Toxicodendron Pubescens

Poison oak and poison ivy are closely related and both contain urushiol, a chemical that can cause severe rashes when it comes into contact with skin. Although both plants feature three-leaflet structures, poison oak's leaves resemble those of an oak tree.

15. Prostate Spurge, Euphorbia Maculata

This fast-spreading, dense ground cover can thrive in a variety of locations—from sparse lawns and gardens to the gaps in your sidewalk.

How to Prevent Prostate Spurge

The best way to manage prostate spurge is by removing new growth as soon as it appears. Be sure to wear gloves, as the plant produces a sap that can irritate the skin. Applying mulch can help prevent it from invading your garden, while maintaining a healthy lawn will also discourage it from taking root there.

16. Horsetail Weed, Equisetum Arvense

Horsetail weed is a perennial that produces either brown, leafless stems that aid in reproduction or green, pine tree-like branches that sprout tiny fronds. Its extensive root system also contributes to its spread.

How to Manage Horsetail Weed

Horsetail weed is resistant to most herbicides, and pulling it may actually spread its roots. In gardens, mulch and weed barriers can be used to manage it. Additionally, applying nitrogen-based fertilizers can promote lawn growth, allowing your grass to outcompete the horsetail weed.

17. Lambsquarters, Chenopodium Album

This wild plant is actually edible and has a taste similar to spinach. It's also highly nutritious, packed with antioxidants, calcium, iron, and protein. However, it can grow as tall as 6 feet and produces tens of thousands of seeds, making it a prolific spreader.

18. Dayflower, Commelina Spp.

This attractive perennial weed often appears in shady parts of your garden, where it spreads along the ground like a vine. Its flowers, leaves, and stems are edible and have a flavor reminiscent of peas.

How to Control Dayflowers

Dayflower seeds can remain dormant in the soil for over five years, making it challenging to eliminate them once they've become established. The key to control is pulling them up, but ensure you remove the roots as well.

Most standard herbicides won't effectively target dayflowers. It's recommended to use a combination of products—one containing sulfentrazone, such as Bonide Sedge Ender Weed Control, and another containing cloransulam-methyl.

19. Bindweed, Convolvulus Arvensis

Though bindweed may resemble morning glory and other attractive vines, it has the ability to swiftly encircle the plants you want to preserve, eventually choking them.

How to Control Bindweed

Certain herbicides, including popular glyphosates like RoundUp, can help control bindweed, but caution is needed as these chemicals might also harm surrounding plants it has attached to. Alternatively, manual removal is an option, though it may take several years of consistent weeding to fully eliminate it.

20. Curly Dock, Rumex Crispus

Curly dock, also known by several other names such as sour dock, yellow dock, and narrowleaf dock, is a perennial plant that produces yellow flowers, which eventually turn a rosy-brown. It thrives in wet conditions, and its seeds can remain viable for up to 80 years.

21. Canada Thistle, Cirsium Arvense

Originally introduced to the U.S. by European settlers, Canada thistle has become so invasive that its growth is banned in several states. The plant produces seedheads that resemble dandelions, turning into fluffy white puffballs in mid-summer and spreading seeds over a large area.

How to Control Canada Thistle

To prevent the spread of Canada thistle, cut or mow it before its seedheads mature. Herbicides containing 2,4-D and dicamba, such as Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer Concentrate, can also help control its growth.

22. Knapweed, Centaurea

Knapweed, another invasive species from Europe, is commonly found in the western U.S. It flourishes in dry, sandy soils, ranging from forests to pastures. This weed can also produce a toxic substance that harms other plants around it.

How to Control Knapweed

For small areas of knapweed, hand weeding can be effective. You may also apply herbicides that contain 2,4-D and dicamba, targeting the weeds either in the spring before they bloom or in the fall.

23. Black Medic, Medicago Lupulina

This lovely weed can take root in patches across your lawn and blooms in midsummer, attracting bees. It flourishes in bright, dry areas and spreads easily.

24. Purslane, Portulaca Oleracea

This rapidly growing weed can be a delicious addition to your meals, as it is rich in antioxidants, calcium, iron, and magnesium. It can be enjoyed either fresh or cooked! These plants thrive in sunny spots and tend to grow close to the ground.

How to Control Purslane

Weeding is simple since most of the plants spread from a single root. To effectively control purslane, you can apply a 2,4-D herbicide like Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D Weed Killer.

25. Black Nightshade, Solanum Nigrum

This broadleaf weed belongs to the same family as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and other nightshade plants. It often grows alongside them in gardens and farms, competing for space with crops. Both the plants and their berries are toxic to many animals, including humans, though they are highly attractive to bees.

26. Puncturevine, Tribulus Terrestris

Known for its sharp spines that can puncture tires and shoes, puncturevine sprawls across the ground. Each plant has the potential to produce thousands of seeds, facilitating rapid spread.

How to Control Puncturevine

To manage puncturevine, pull it out before it has a chance to seed, and be sure to wear heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands from its spines. If opting for chemicals, a 2,4-D weed killer like Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D Weed Killer is recommended.

27. Dollarweed, Hydrocotyle Spp.

If you live near water, you may notice dollarweed (also known as pennywort) popping up by the water's edge. This plant looks similar to floating lilypads, with long stems supporting its leaves above the surface.

How to Control Dollarweed

Dollarweed propagates through both its seeds and rhizomes, making it challenging to fully eliminate. It thrives in moist conditions, so decreasing moisture levels may help curb its growth. You can manually remove the weeds or treat them with a glyphosate-based herbicide like RoundUp for better control.

28. Wild Violets, Viola Spp.

Wild violets often appear in your lawn or garden, particularly in shaded areas. These perennials grow easily and can quickly spread, potentially taking over your lawn if not managed.

How to Control Wild Violets

Wild violets propagate through underground rhizomes, which allows them to spread below the soil. Eliminating them can be challenging, as both the plant and its rhizome need to be dug up. Chemical treatments with 2,4-D and dicamba, such as Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer Concentrate, can help control them effectively.

29. Purple Deadnettle, Lamium Purpureum

Purple deadnettle is a common weed that can take over your lawn, particularly in sunny spots with well-watered soil. This perennial plant produces purple and gold flowers and is part of the mint family.

How to Control Purple Deadnettle

To manage purple deadnettle, try applying vinegar carefully, as it can harm surrounding plants and grass. Alternatively, herbicides containing 2,4-D and dicamba, such as Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer Concentrate, can also be used to control the weed.

30. Poison Sumac, Toxicodendron Vernix

Poison sumac may appear different from its relatives, poison ivy and poison oak, but it still contains the same harmful oil that can trigger intense rashes in people. It thrives in wetland areas and has seven to 13 smooth leaflets on each leaf.

How to Control Poison Sumac

To control poison sumac, you can remove the entire plant by digging it up, but be sure to wear protective gear such as plastic gloves. Just like poison ivy and poison oak, it can also be treated with glyphosate herbicides like RoundUp or triclopyr-based herbicides like Ortho Brush-B-Gon Poison Ivy Oak & Brush Killer to eliminate the plants.

31. Quickweed, Galinsoga Parviflora

Often referred to as gallant soldier or shaggy soldier, this annual weed appears in abundance, characterized by numerous leaves and tiny white and yellow flowers. Each plant is capable of producing more than 7,000 seeds.

32. Woodsorrel, Oxalis Stricta

Woodsorrel is a wonderful edible weed or wildflower. It can be enjoyed in teas, salads, or soups, and is a great source of vitamin C. Its leaves resemble clover and it boasts bright yellow flowers, spreading through both rhizomes and seeds from the flowers.

How to Control Woodsorrel

Enhancing your lawn with extra seeding and fertilization can help prevent woodsorrel from thriving, while herbicides containing 2,4-D, dicamba (such as Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer Concentrate), fluroxypyr, or triclopyr (like Ortho Brush-B-Gon Poison Ivy Oak & Brush Killer) can effectively rid your lawn of it.

33. Common Lespedeza, Kummerowia Striata

Commonly called Japanese clover, this summer bloomer features vibrant pink and purple flowers. It flourishes in nutrient-poor soil and tends to grow in areas where the lawn is sparse or thinning.

34. Dallisgrass, Paspalum Dilatatum

This invasive grass has spread across much of the southern United States, forming tough, coarse clumps that disrupt the smooth texture of your lawn.

How to Manage Dallisgrass

To keep dallisgrass at bay, remove its clumps and properly maintain your lawn to prevent it from coming back. Using preemptive herbicides from brands like Scotts or Vigoro can also help control its spread.

35. Velvetleaf, Abutilon Theophrasti

This enormous weed can reach up to eight feet in height, featuring large heart-shaped leaves and vibrant yellow to orange blooms. It produces up to 17,000 seeds per plant, some of which can remain dormant for 50 to 60 years before germinating.

36. Goosegrass, Eleusine Indica

This weed is especially aggressive in lawns that experience a lot of foot traffic or have thinning grass, particularly in areas where the grass is kept very short.

How to Control Goosegrass

To prevent goosegrass, keep your lawn healthy by allowing it to grow taller, and use preemergence herbicides that block the growth of unwanted grasses.

37. Pokeweed, Phytolacca Americana

Pokeweed grows quickly, reaching heights of up to 10 feet and widths of 5 feet. It is known for its striking purple berries that attract birds, and can produce as many as 7,000 seeds each year.

How to Manage Pokeweed

The best time to remove pokeweed is when it's small, as the taproot becomes extremely difficult to extract once the plant is fully grown. Several herbicides, including those containing glyphosate or triclopyr, are effective in controlling pokeweed.

38. Poa Annua, Poa Pratensis

Poa annua is an aggressive bluegrass species that grows in clusters, with fuzzy seed heads appearing in the spring and continuing throughout the year.

How to Manage Poa Annua

Proper lawn maintenance is key to managing this weed. You can also manually remove affected areas. Preventative treatments such as Vigoro Crabgrass and Weed Preventer or Scotts Halts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer can help control poa annua. Image Kills Nutsedge Concentrate is effective on existing patches.

39. Smartweed, Persicaria

Smartweed, a relative of curly dock and knotweed, thrives in moist environments. If you have a pond or rain garden, you may notice this weed taking root. It’s essential to control these weeds quickly, as each plant can generate up to 20,000 seeds, which can spread rapidly across your property.

How to Manage Smartweed

Cutting or digging out small patches before they seed, while ensuring the roots are also removed, can be effective. Most herbicides can also be used to tackle these weeds.

40. Annual Fleabane, Erigeron

This annual broadleaf weed, which appears in summer, features small, daisy-like flowers, giving it the nickname daisy fleabane. The 'fleabane' part of the name comes from an old folk belief that it could ward off fleas.

How to Manage Fleabane

As with many weeds, preventing them is much easier than curing them. Keeping your lawn healthy and properly mowed can make all the difference. Most broadleaf herbicides, like Bonide Weed Beater Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate, will do the trick.

41. Yellow Sweet Clover, Melilotus Officinalis

Yellow sweet clover was intentionally introduced to the U.S. to aid in soil stabilization, provide livestock feed, and attract pollinators like bees. However, concerns have arisen about this charming yellow-flowered plant potentially overtaking and outcompeting vital native species.

How to Manage Yellow Sweet Clover

Removing or cutting small patches before the flowers bloom is one of the most effective ways to keep this weed in check. You can also try herbicides such as Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer Concentrate to help control its spread.

42. Spotted Jewelweed, Impatiens Capensis

This cousin of the popular container garden favorite impatiens produces attractive orange flowers, making it tempting to include in your garden. However, this plant, which can grow as tall as five feet, is invasive and often outcompetes native vegetation in various regions.

How to Manage Orange Jewelweed

Weeding is often the most effective method for eliminating these plants, as they have shallow roots and can be easily pulled from the soil. If you encounter seed pods, be sure to bag and dispose of them to prevent further spread.

43. Yellow Salsify, Tragopogon Dubius

These weeds, resembling dandelions, grow taller (up to one foot) and produce fluffy white seed pods similar to their yellow-flowering relatives.

44. Bittersweet, Celastrus Orbiculatus

This invasive vine was originally brought from Asia in the 1800s as an ornamental garden plant, but has since become a troublesome weed threatening native species. It thrives in both sun and shade, growing up to nearly 60 feet in length as it wraps around and damages trees. It can reproduce through both roots and seeds.

How to Manage Bittersweet

Cutting the vines at ground level is a good first step to prevent further growth. However, continuous cutting or mowing is necessary to stop the roots from re-establishing. You can also unwrap the vine from trees to relieve them. Herbicides like glyphosate or triclopyr can be used on the roots and bark, but exercise caution, as these chemicals could harm nearby trees.

45. Green Foxtail, Setaria Viridis

This common lawn weed is named for its fluffy, foxtail-like seed heads that emerge from the top of the plant. Thriving in a wide range of conditions, from heavy moisture to moderate drought and from full sun to partial shade, it is likely to appear in most grass areas at some point.

How to Manage Green Foxtail

The seeds often attach to shoes, animal fur, and lawn equipment, making it easy to spread these weeds from one place to another. To manage them, simply pull or dig up small patches as they appear to keep them under control. For prevention, consider using a treatment that also targets crabgrass, such as Scotts Weedex Prevent With Halts.

46. Dodder Weeds, Cuscuta Campestris, C. Indecora, C. Japonica

This group of parasitic weeds attaches directly to host plants, which can include vegetables and crops like melons and sugar beets, other weeds, and even ornamental shrubs and trees. These weeds derive all their nutrients from their host plants.

How to Manage Dodder Weeds

Dodder weeds produce small flowers that generate two to three seeds, and they typically spread through human activity or movement. To control them, remove dodder from plants or mow areas that are heavily infested to help reduce the population.

47. Common Mallow, Malva Neglecta or Malva Parviflora

These plants, related to cotton and okra (sometimes referred to as cheeseweed due to the shape of their fruit), can become troublesome weeds in lawns and gardens. Mallow plants are also prone to attracting pests like whiteflies and thrips, as well as plant viruses that can affect crops like tomatoes.

How to Control Common Mallow

The woody taproot of a mallow plant is tough to remove, so it's best to tackle young plants before they become too established, using hoeing or weeding techniques. Planting hardy species and applying a thick three-inch layer of mulch in areas where mallow is growing can help block sunlight and prevent new seedlings from thriving.

48. Garlic Mustard

Garlic mustard is a leafy green vegetable from the Brassica family. While it’s edible and packed with antioxidants, along with being a good source of Vitamins A and C, garlic mustard is also a fast-growing plant that can become invasive in your garden or lawn. Its leaves, which can either be flat or frilly and range in color from purple to reddish to dark green, might be hard to identify at first. They are usually broad with crinkled edges and spread primarily due to human movement or activity.

How to Control Garlic Mustard

Garlic mustard tends to spread across gardens and lawns through human activity, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. To remove it, pull the plants out by hand, ensuring you take out not only the stems but also the upper part of the roots. Any buds left in the roots can grow new stems.