Winecup, sandbur, and crabgrass — these are just a few of the most common south Texas weeds. In this article, we’ll discuss these and other common weeds found in this region so you can properly identify and get rid of these turfgrass invaders.
In this article, we’ll focus solely on the unwanted weeds of the southern part of the Lone Star State. If you want to learn more about common weeds across the entire state, visit our other guide: “Most Common Texas Weeds.”
Broadleaf weeds
Winecup
Winecup or purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) is a native perennial popularly used as a groundcover in Texas, but in some lawns, it’s an unwanted weed. It forms a sprawling mat that can spread into your turf and disrupt the appearance of your lawn.
Winecup blooms with bright pink flowers in March or April and loves the dry, rocky soils of the state, growing in areas that are mowed infrequently. You can apply our advice on how to get rid of weeds in grass to treat winecup.
Slender aster
Slender aster (Aster subulatus) is an annoying weed that can behave as either an annual or perennial. The longer you let this weed creep into your lawn, the woodier it gets, making it increasingly difficult to control. Its flowers have ray-like petals and can bloom in shades of white, pink, purple, and blue.
If slender aster has already spread over your lawn, it can be managed with post-emergent herbicides, along with pre-emergent applications the following fall.
Note: Pre-emergent herbicides alone can’t control slender aster effectively. You can either combine them with spot treatments or call a lawn care pro to help you out.
Sandbur
Native to south Texas and other parts of the state, sandbur (Cenchrus spinifex) commonly appears on sandy and dry soils. This grassy weed produces burs with sharp spikes that can be painful when in contact with the skin. These burs also stick on clothing and pet fur and can be difficult to remove, turning your lawn into a prickly nightmare.
The best way to control sandbur is by applying pre-emergent herbicides before the seeds germinate, which is around March 1 for south Texas. Learn more about applying pre-emergent herbicides in our article: “How to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides.”
Annual sowthistle
Annual sowthistle or common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is a winter annual with broad, dark-green leaves with finely toothed margins. One of its main differentiating features is that it releases a milky sap when cut.
Because it has a shallow taproot, annual sowthistle is easy to hand-pull when the infestation is not yet severe. For large infestations, applying post-emergent herbicides can also help control this weed. You can see more detailed information on how to apply these herbicides in our guide: “When to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides.”
Grassy weeds
Rescuegrass
Rescuegrass (Bromus catharticus) is a winter annual weed with droopy, flattened spikelets. This bunchgrass is an introduced species and can be easily identified by its characteristic hairy leaf sheaths. A common lawn weed in south Texas, rescuegrass grows tall, reaching up to 36 inches.
You can treat rescuegrass by doing spot treatments with a selective post-emergent herbicide. Alternatively, pre-emergent herbicides can be applied in the fall to prevent future germination. Visit our guide on how to identify and control grassy weeds to learn more.
Johnsongrass
Another introduced species, johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is a common weed throughout the state, including the southern region. A coarse-textured perennial weed, johnsongrass creeps into your lawn through rhizomes and forms dense clumps of tall grass (up to an impressive 6 feet tall).
Johnsongrass can be controlled by regularly mowing your lawn. Applying post-emergent herbicides before the grass has spread over your yard will also help to manage johnsongrass.
Crabgrass
One of the most troublesome weeds throughout Texas, crabgrass (Digitaria sp.) is an opportunistic warm-season annual weed that invades thin turf. Crabgrass grows prostrate to the ground and is incredibly resistant to other conditions that might stress desirable turfgrass: heat, drought, and poor soils.
Because it usually grows faster than your desirable turf, crabgrass can quickly take over your yard. Applying pre-emergent herbicides in late winter to early spring might be your best bet to control this weed. Learn more in our guide about how to get rid of crabgrass
Pro Tip: Learn the key to maintaining a healthy and dense turf in south Texas in our article: “The Secret to a Weed-Free San Antonio Lawn.”
Sedges
Nutsedge
Two nutsedge species are found in south Texas: yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus). Sedges look like grasses at first glance, especially in mowed turfgrass, and can grow unnoticed on your turf. However, as they grow, you may notice their characteristic triangular stems and waxy leaves
Nutsedges growing on your turf might indicate excessive soil moisture, so an integral part of managing nutsedge is improving soil drainage. To learn more about nutsedge control, check out our piece on how to identify and get rid of nutsedge in your lawn.
Pro Tip: Aerating your lawn is crucial to improve soil drainage and reduce the chances of nutsedges invading your turf. Read our article on when to aerate your lawn in Texas to learn the best time to aerate.
Learn more about Texas lawn care
If you’re looking for lawn care tips across the state, we have other informative guides that might help you:
Lawn care:
- The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Fertilize Your Lawn in South Texas
- The Best Lawn Fertilizers for Texas
- The Best Grass for South Texas Lawns
Lawn maintenance calendars:
- Bermudagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
- St. Augustinegrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
- Zoysiagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
When to call a pro
You don’t have to battle a tricky weed invasion on your own. Our trusted lawn care experts in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and throughout Texas are ready to help. Contact a lawn care pro today and save your lawn from pesky weeds.
Main Image Credit: Harry Rose | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
