The Most Common Michigan Weeds

Discover the most common Michigan weeds you’re likely to find in your yard. From persistent dandelions to sneaky chickweeds, identify the culprits trying to take over your lawn.

Michigan is the land of the Great Lakes, stunning autumn colors, and an endless battle with weeds. These invaders are always showing up where they’re not wanted. And if you don’t know how to recognize them, your beautiful lawn can quickly turn into a botanical battlefield. 

Common Weeds in Michigan

1. Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)

Black medic is a low-growing plant with trifoliate leaves and small yellow flowers that look like white clover. However, unlike clover, black medic produces small, coiled seed pods. This weed is a sign that your soil is low in nitrogen. 

Life cycle: Cool season summer annual

Weed Type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Prefers dry, sunny areas; also areas where the soil is compacted or lacking in nutrients.

How to identify black medic:

• Alternate compound leaves with three leaflets.

• Small, round, yellow flowers forming clusters. 

• Dark, soiled seed pods.

• Toothed stipules.

• Shallow taproot with small nodules.

2. Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major)

Broadleaf plantain is easy to recognize for its wide oval shaped leaves and long flower spike. This perennial weed grows where other plants struggle, making it a common sight in compacted, soggy, or well-traveled areas. 

Life cycle: Perennial

Weed type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Nutrient-rich soil. Compacted soil. Wet or dry conditions.

How to identify broadleaf plantain: 

• Rosette of oval leaves against the ground. 

• Leaves have 3 to 5 prominent parallel veins running through them.

• It produces leafless, slender spikes.

• Clusters of tiny, white flowers at the top of the spikes. 

3. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Bull thistle has a fierce appearance and the ability to spread quickly. It stands out with its pink magenta flowers and notorious spines. 

Life cycle: Biennial

Weed type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Sunny, open areas. Moist to dry soils. 

How to identify bull thistle: 

• Low-lying rosette of leaves its first year, stems during the second year.

• Long alternate leaves with sharp spines at the tip and midrib.

• Hairy leaves.

• Single, erect stem that branches out. 

• Pink-magenta flower head on each stem with spines at the base of flowers. 

4. Carolina Geranium (Geranium carolinianum)

Carolina geranium is a low growing weed that has shredded leaves and pale pink or white flowers. It grows along fence rows, around building foundations, and in other margin areas that don’t see regular mowing or fertilization.

Life cycle: Annual

Weed Type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Poor maintained areas, full sun or part shade. Gravelly to clay soils.

How to identify Carolina geranium: 

• Much-branched plant that typically stays under a foot tall. 

• Shredded leaves divided into five parts.

• Small, pink or white five-petaled flowers.

• Foliage may become red during autumn.

5. Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Chicory has bright blue flowers that don’t only line the roadsides throughout the state but they can also invade your lawn. 

Life cycle: Perennial

Weed Type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Dry, infertile conditions. 

How to identify chicory: 

• Jagged, fleshy taproot with milky sap.

• Rosette of leaves during the first year.  

• Toothed or lobed leaves of 3 to 10 inches long.

• Erect stems sparsely leaved during the second year.

• Numerous sky-blue flowers that bloom from mid-summer until the first frost in the fall. 

6. Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Common chickweed quietly settles during the cooler months. Once it takes root, it thrives in the shady, moist areas around the base of shade trees, nestled in mulch, or in other damp, sheltered spots in your garden. 

Life cycle: Winter annual

Weed Type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Shaded, moist soils during cooler temperatures.

How to identify common chickweed:

• It forms small, mounded patches of 3 to 7 inches tall. 

• Tiny smooth leaves in pairs opposite each other on the stem.

• Pointed tips leaves with slightly toothed edges.

• It produces white-to-pink flowers during early spring. 

• Five deeply divided petals flower that gives the appearance of ten petals.

7. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelions pop up in Michigan lawns forming rosettes of leaves with bright yellow flowers. Though they might seem harmless, these resilient perennials can quickly take over, spreading their seeds far and wide with just a gust of wind.

Life cycle: Perennial

Weed type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Sunny, shady, dry, or moist conditions.

How to identify dandelions: 

• Basal rosette with deeply lobed leaves.

• Leaves point back toward the center of the plant. 

• Ir produces a milky sap when leaves are broken.

• Yellow flowers emerge on leafless hollow stems. 

• After blooming, the flowers transform into puffball seedheads. 

8. English Daisy

English daisy is a charm with its simple white and yellow flowers, but don’t let its beauty fool you: this weed can quickly take over your lawn if left unchecked. 

Life cycle: Perennial

Weed type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Heavy, moist, and fertile soils. It tolerates low mowing heights.

How to identify English daisy: 

• Solitary flowers on hairy, leafless stems. 

• Flowers have a yellow disk center surrounded by white-to-pink ray flowers. 

• Small, spoon-shaped leaves that grow from a central rosette. 

9. Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi)

Giant foxtail germinates in the spring and spreads its seeds by mid to late summer. This annual grass weed can quickly take over, especially in fertile soils, and while it may look unassuming at first, it can become a problem if not managed properly.

Life cycle: Annual

Weed type: Grass

Where it thrives: Highly disturbed turfgrass areas, especially rich in phosphorus soils. Fertile environments. 

How to identify giant foxtail: 

• It grows in clumps.

• Shallow, fibrous root system. 

• Short hairs on the upper leaf surface and hairy ligules.

• Hairless stems. 

• Large, nodding seed head that resembles a foxtail. 

10. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Ground ivy, also known as “creeping Charlie,” uses stolons, to expand its territory, making dense mats that outcompete your turfgrass. It is a challenging weed to control once it establishes itself.

Life cycle: Perennial

Weed Type: Broadleaf

Where it thrives: Moist, well-fertilized, shady areas. 

How to identify ground ivy: 

• It forms dense mats.

• Kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges. 

• Minty scent when leaves are crushed. 

• Long petioles.

• Erect stems with small, orchid-like purple flowers. 

FAQ About Weeds in Your Michigan Lawn

How can I get rid of weeds on my Michigan lawn?

The first step in weed control is hand-pulling, which works well for small infestations. However, for larger areas overrun with weeds, herbicides are more effective. 

Can herbicides kill grass?

Non-selective herbicides will eliminate everything they touch. In contrast, selective herbicides are formulated to target specific weeds, leaving your grass unharmed.

What is a pre-emergent herbicide?

A pre-emergent herbicide is applied to lawns before weeds have a chance to germinate. It works by preventing weed seeds from sprouting and growing, stopping them before they can become visible.

When to Hire a Professional

After identifying the most common weeds in your Michigan lawn, you’re better equipped to tackle them head-on. But, if you need a hand, contact a local lawn care professional. They know Michigan lawns like the back of their hand and can help you keep your yard looking beautiful.

More Lawn Care and Landscaping Resources for Michigan:

• The Best Grass Seed for Michigan Lawns
• When to Plant Grass Seed in Michigan
• When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Michigan
• When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Michigan
• When to Aerate Your Lawn in Michigan

Main Photo Credit: Rachel Kramer | Flickr | CC BY 2.0