- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)<\/a><\/li>
- White clover (Trifolium repens)<\/a><\/li>
- Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major)<\/a><\/li>
- Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis)<\/a><\/li>
- Chickweed (Stellaria media)<\/a><\/li>
- Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Red clover (Trifolium pratense)\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Wild violet (Viola sororia)\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta)\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"dandelion](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AdobeStock_270965795-2.jpeg\")
Sergey Fedoskin<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Dandelions are perennial weeds with bright yellow flowers and a fluffy white seed head. They grow in a low rosette of jagged leaves and have a long taproot that can reach up to 2 feet deep. They grow on disturbed soils rich in nitrogen and potassium. <\/p>
Dandelions<\/a>‘ early spring blooms provide nectar for bees when little else is flowering, says Noah Burley, a horticulture graduate student from the University of Minnesota Extension. Their deep roots improve soil aeration, and they\u2019re even edible. <\/p>
To control dandelions<\/a>, keep a healthy lawn that crowds out weeds. When I spot just a few, I pull them by hand. Thomas Nikolai, senior turfgrass academic specialist at Michigan State University, says hand-pulling is the simplest and most effective method when weeds are few. For larger infestations, a selective broadleaf herbicide works best when applied in late summer or fall. <\/p>
White clover (Trifolium repens)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"white](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/white-clover3.jpg\")
Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> White clover is a low-growing perennial found across lawns, roadsides, and pastures. Its creeping stems root at the nodes, forming mats of green leaves with three round leaflets and tiny white flowers in late spring. It thrives in cool, moist conditions. White Dutch clover<\/a> is often included in lawn seed mixes to enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen and providing nectar for bees. Some homeowners even choose clover as an eco-friendly lawn alternative. <\/p>
I don\u2019t mind a little clover; it gives my lawn character and keeps the bees happy. But I\u2019ve learned that too much can quickly take over if not managed. Experts at Iowa State University Extension say clover can be controlled with proper fertilization and broadleaf herbicides. They recommend products with 2, 4-D, MCPP, dicamba, or triclopyr. <\/p>
Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_486152607.jpg\")
orestligetka<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This low-growing perennial weed with wide, oval leaves that lie flat and resist mowing. In summer, it produces upright spikes with tiny, pale flowers that later turn into seed heads. It is found in disturbed, compacted, high-traffic soils, earning the nickname \u201cwhite man\u2019s footprint\u201d. <\/p>
While unwelcome on the lawn, broadleaf plantain<\/a> has an herbal history, and it\u2019s even edible, says Rakesh Chandran, extension weed science specialist at West Virginia University Extension. <\/p>
To control it, aerate compacted soil<\/a>, and correct nutrient deficiencies. <\/strong>I\u2019ve found that aerating does more than just control weeds. It improves my lawn performance and leads to a more vigorous turf over time. Small plantain can be pulled by hand or pulled out with a weeder. For heavy infestations, broadleaf herbicides are the most effective.<\/p>
Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/7117464907_4b9f094508_c.jpg\")
Harry Rose<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Crabgrass is a summer annual grassy weed that germinates in spring and grows in the heat. Its light-green blades are wider than most turfgrasses. Crabgrass<\/a> loves full sun and disturbed, poor soil and will pop up anywhere turf is thin or soil is bare and dies after the first fall frost. Although it prevents erosion and can be grazed, it\u2019s mostly a nuisance that crowds out turfgrass. <\/p>
The best approach is prevention. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide<\/a> in late winter or early spring, recommends experts at North Carolina State Extension. If only a few clumps appear, pull them out early before they seed. Once mature in summer, it is harder to kill; post-emergent herbicides<\/a> can eliminate young plants, but by late summer, just mow the seed heads. <\/p>
Chickweed (Stellaria media)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"common](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chickweed.jpg\")
Simon<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>Chickweed is a cool-season annual weed that grows in dense mats of light green stems and small oval leaves, often appearing in gardens and lawns during fall and early spring. It prefers moist, shady areas but can grow almost anywhere. It has tiny white star-like flowers that bloom quickly, and it can set seed in just a few weeks.<\/p>
While edible and useful to pollinators<\/a>, chickweed<\/a> can smother seedlings and thin lawns. The best way to prevent it is by keeping your lawn healthy. Professor Nikolai of Michigan State University notes that consistent fertilization and proper watering encourage dense turf growth, leaving less room for weeds like chickweed to germinate. For stubborn patches, spot-treat with broadleaf herbicide in early spring. <\/p>
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) <\/span><\/h2>
![\"Yellow](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/28842193977_227d7ee169_c-1.jpg\")
Andreas Rockstein<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Purslane is a sprawling summer annual that forms flat mats of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves on reddish creeping stems. In warm weather produces tiny yellow flowers. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and poor soil.<\/p>
Purslane<\/a> walks a fine line between weed and wonder. In many cultures, it\u2019s a valued edible, rich in nutrients, explains Sandra Mason from the University of Illinois Extension. However, in most lawns, it\u2019s just an aggressive invader. To control it, regularly weed before seed-set and if necessary, use a broadleaf herbicide to help you. <\/p>
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) <\/span><\/h2>
![\"meadow](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_151295481155_302de22338_c.jpg\")
\u00d8yvind Holmstad<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Red clover is a short-lived perennial, taller and more upright than white clover, with pinkish-purple flower heads and larger leaflets. It prefers sunny, well-drained areas and shows up in lawns with low soil fertility, especially in cooler or northern regions.<\/p>
Red clover<\/a> is usually used as a forage and cover crop, valued for fixing nitrogen, feeding pollinators, and improving soil. While some enjoy its wildflower look, its taller growth and bee-friendly blooms may not suit all lawns. To reduce red clover<\/a>, improve your lawn\u2019s nitrogen levels, mow regularly to prevent flowering, or hand-pull small patches. For larger areas, use herbicides labeled for clover in fall. <\/p>
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) <\/span><\/h2>
![\"Henbit](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/52721752329_edd773e112_c-2.jpg\")
sonnia hill<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Henbit is a cool-season annual from the mint family that forms low patches with scalloped leaves on square stems. It blooms in early spring with small, purple flowers and usually grows 4 to 10 inches tall. It\u2019s common in cooler, moist weather, and it dies by summer.<\/p>
Henbit helps early pollinators and is edible, says experts at the North Carolina State Extension. But in lawns and gardens, it can crowd out young plants and look messy. To control it, keep lawns dense in fall to block seedlings. Hand-pull young plants before they flower. Pre-emergent herbicides can help in early fall, and broadleaf herbicides work best when henbit is still small. <\/p>
Wild violet (Viola sororia) <\/span><\/h2>
![\"Wild](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1024px-Viola_papilionacea_kz02.jpg\")
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Wild violets are low-growing perennials with heart-shaped leaves and small purple or white spring flowers. They spread by underground rhizomes and seeds. They thrive in shady, moist areas and appear in lawns under trees or in damp soil.<\/p>
Wild violets are edible native wildflowers and host plants for beneficial insects, says Burley. I\u2019ve actually come to appreciate them in my yard. I\u2019ve even used a few of their blooms to decorate desserts or salads, and they look beautiful. <\/p>
Still, they can be invasive in lawns, forming dense mats that resist mowing and herbicides. Hand-dig small patches. For larger areas, use a selective herbicide with triclopyr in fall or early spring. To prevent regrowth, overseed<\/a> shady spots with shade-tolerant grass<\/a> and improve drainage<\/a>. <\/p>
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) <\/span><\/h2>
![\"Ground](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4575015491_bbc04dbf8c_c-1.jpg\")
Marco Hebing<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Ground ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie, is a low-growing perennial that spreads by runners to form dense mats. It has scalloped, round leaves on square stems and small purple flowers in spring. It thrives in shady, moist areas and often takes over under trees or along damp lawn edges. <\/p>
Ground ivy has a minty aroma and offers nectar for bees<\/a>, but in lawns, it\u2019s unwelcome. It spreads aggressively, re-root easily, and smoother turf. Control ground ivy by improving sunlight and drainage. Pull small patches after rain. For a bigger area, use a triclopyr-based herbicide in fall. <\/p>
Yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta) <\/span><\/h2>
![\"Yellow](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1024px-Oxalis_stricta_2020-09-08_Beechview_01.jpg\")
Cbaile19<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This clover lookalike weed has heart-shaped leaves and tiny yellow flowers. It\u2019s low-growing<\/p>
and spreads via seeds and rhizomes. It thrives in disturbed soil and survives mowing thanks to its low growth. Its presence can signal low nitrogen or acidic soil.<\/p>
Though native and edible in small amounts, yellow wood sorrel is a lawn invader. To eliminate it from your lawn, you can hand-pull it before the seed pods explode. For larger patches, use herbicides. Dr. Nikolai notes that while herbicides may not eliminate every weed, they\u2019re still highly effective when applied correctly. \u201cIn most cases, you\u2019ll see wilting within a day or two, and the weeds will be gone in about two weeks,\u201d he says. <\/p>
Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Shepherd\u2019s](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1024px-Capsella_bursa-pastoris_130100160.jpg\")
Tatiana<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This cool-season weed is named for its tiny, heart-shaped seed pods that resemble little purses. It starts as a low rosette of toothed leaves, then shoots up a slender stalk with small white flowers. Found in disturbed soil, it often pops up in early spring.<\/p>
Edible when young and used in traditional medicine, shepherd\u2019s purse isn’t aggressive like weed, but it produces tons of seeds. To control it, pull or hoe young plants before seed pods. In larger infestations, tilling in fall or using pre-emergent herbicides<\/a> in late summer can reduce its spread. <\/p>
When in doubt, call a pro<\/span><\/h2>
If you\u2019re still unsure about what\u2019s growing in your yard or how to handle it, LawnLove can connect you with a local weed control professional<\/a>. They\u2019ll know which weeds are common in your area, what conditions they thrive in, and the most effective and safe way to manage them. <\/p>
\t\t\t\t\t\tSources:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t
<\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\tThomas Nikolai<\/a>, Senior Turfgrass Academic Specialist. Michigan State University. Personal Interview.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cDandelions<\/a>.\u201d By Noah Burley, Horticulture graduate student. University of Minnesota Extension.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cWild violet<\/a>.\u201d By Noah Burley, Horticulture graduate student. University of Minnesota Extension.<\/p>
\u201cHow do I control white clover in my lawn?<\/a>\u201d Iowa State University Extension.<\/p>
\u201cBroadleaf Plantain – Weed of the Week<\/a>.\u201d By Rakesh Chandran, Weed Management Specialist. West Virginia University Extension.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cDigitaria sanguinalis<\/a>.\u201d North Carolina State Extension.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cPurslane – Weed It Or Eat It?<\/a>\u201d By Sandra Mason. Illinois State University Extension.<\/p>
\u201cLamium amplexicaule<\/a>.\u201d North Carolina State Extension<\/p> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
Main Photo Credit: Ground Ivy : Marco Hebing<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a> , Henbit : sonnia hill<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a> , Red Clover : \u00d8yvind Holmstad<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> , Chickweed : Simon<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a> , Collage using Canva Pro.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Flowering weeds like dandelions, clover, and chickweed are common in many U.S. lawns. Some are invasive, and others feed pollinators and improve your soil. Learning to identify them helps you decide which to pull, control, or keep. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":39638,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[141],"class_list":["post-39621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-weed-control"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/flowering-weeds.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Cecilia Acevedo","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/cecilia-acevedo\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/94"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39621"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40280,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39621\/revisions\/40280"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- White clover (Trifolium repens)<\/a><\/li>