- What counts as a weed?<\/a><\/li>
- What is a broadleaf weed?<\/a><\/li>
- What is a grassy weed?<\/a><\/li>
- Broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds compared<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about broadleaf and grassy weeds<\/a><\/li>
- When to hire a professional weed control service<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What counts as a weed?<\/span><\/h2>
![\"yellow](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/flowersfence-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: CatLane<\/a> | Canva Pro | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you think only specific plants can be weeds, you are a bit mistaken. A weed is any plant that is unwanted, out of place, or unintentionally grown. By this definition, even turfgrasses and wildflowers that some homeowners grow intentionally can be considered weeds by others who don\u2019t want them in their lawns.<\/p>
Lawn weeds can be divided into three categories: broadleaf, grassy, and sedge. Each category has its own characteristics and different control methods, which is why it’s important to identify the weeds in your lawn before attempting to pull them out or apply herbicides. What works for one weed may not work for another. <\/p>
What is a broadleaf weed?<\/span><\/h2>
![\"White](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/White-clover-Trifolium-repens.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mantonature<\/a> | Canva Pro | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Broadleaf weeds are weeds that don\u2019t look like grasses, as they have broader leaves (hence the name). Broadleaves typically belong to the group of flowering plants called dicotyledons (dicots). Many common weeds<\/a> are broadleaves, including:<\/p>
- Dandelions<\/li>
- Common chickweed<\/li>
- Clovers (like white clover)<\/li>
- Ground ivy<\/li>
- Knotweeds<\/li>
- Milkweeds<\/li>
- Thistles<\/li>
- Plantains<\/li>
- Henbit<\/li> <\/ul>
Aside from their wide leaves, you can identify broadleaf weeds by the netted veins on their leaves, which branch out in different directions instead of running parallel, as in grassy weeds. They also typically have showy flowers and a deep taproot, which grassy weeds usually lack. Learn how to identify and control these weeds in our article all about broadleaf weeds<\/a>. <\/p>
What is a grassy weed?<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Foxtails](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Foxtails-Setaria-spp.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Olga Stock<\/a> | Canva Pro | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> As their name suggests, grassy weeds are weeds that look like turfgrass. In fact, grassy weeds are <\/em>grasses in their own right, belonging to the same group of flowering plants as your lawn, called monocotyledons (monocots). However, they outcompete weakened turfgrasses and are disliked for their look and (for many) their short lifespans.<\/p>
Here are some common grassy weeds:<\/p>
- Crabgrass<\/a><\/li>
- Goosegrass<\/li>
- Annual bluegrass<\/li>
- Sandburs<\/li>
- Foxtails<\/li>
- Bermudagrass<\/li>
- Zoysiagrass<\/li>
- Bentgrass<\/li> <\/ul>
Remember, a weed is any plant that is unwanted. Some turfgrasses spread so easily that they can reach into areas where they aren’t wanted and become weeds. Typically, these grasses spread quickly through rhizomes and stolons.<\/p>
Telling a grassy weed from a broadleaf weed is pretty easy, but telling grassy weeds from your lawn grass itself can be a bit tricky. Check out our article all about grassy weeds<\/a> to learn how to identify and control the most common culprits hiding in home lawns. <\/p>
Broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds compared<\/span><\/h2>
![\"graphic](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/grassy-weeds-broadleaf-weeds.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Since broadleaf and grassy weeds are typically from different groups of plants, it\u2019s quite easy to spot the differences between them. Look at the table below to find out how they differ.<\/p>
- Crabgrass<\/a><\/li>
- What is a broadleaf weed?<\/a><\/li>