Lawn Weeds

Lawn weeds can appear for many reasons – often from dormant seeds already in the soil, or introduced by wind, birds, or even contaminated lawnmowers. Some weeds grow year-round, while others are seasonal.

We don’t recommend digging out weeds, as this creates bare patches that quickly become reinfested. Instead, the most effective approach is to treat your lawn with a selective weed killer. For best results, spray during periods of active growth. Weed control is less effective during drought conditions and may even damage your lawn.

There are many different types of lawn weeds. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common broadleaf varieties.

Cape Weed

Cape weed, also known as Cape Daisy, can quickly spread and form dense patches if left untreated. It grows as a large rosette with jagged leaves. The upper side of the leaves is dark green, while the underside is paler and covered in fine hairs.

Its flowers, which appear on short, thick stems, are 2–4 cm in diameter with pale yellow petals that deepen in colour toward the centre.

Cape weed can be treated with Triumph Gold.

Chickweed

Chickweed is a low-growing, spreading annual weed that thrives in cooler conditions. It has soft, light-green oval leaves and produces small, star-shaped white flowers at the ends of its stems.

It grows rapidly, appearing during winter and spring, and often establishes well in shady areas where other plants may struggle.

Chickweed can be effectively controlled with Meso, or Turfix herbicide.

Clover

Clovers are common lawn weeds, easily identified by their distinctive three-leaf clusters and they spread through creeping stems that root as they spread. They produce round white, pink, or purple flowers, which are highly attractive to bees. Maintaining a healthy, well-fertilised lawn is the best way to prevent them, as they thrive in poor soils.

Young clover plants can be controlled with Meso or Triumph Gold. Established clover may require a follow-up treatment 2–3 weeks later.

Creeping Buttercup

Creeping Buttercup is a fast-growing weed with triangular, hairy leaves. It sends out creeping stems that root at each node, quickly forming new plants. It produces glossy, bright yellow flowers. This weed can spread rapidly if left untreated.

It can be controlled in lawns with Triumph Gold herbicide.

Creeping Oxalis

Creeping Oxalis is a low-growing summer weed that spreads quickly, forming a dense mat in lawns. It has small leaves grouped in threes, and produces small yellow flowers. It often establishes where grass growth is weakened, particularly along concrete edges and other stressed areas.

It can be controlled in lawns with Triumph Gold or Grazon herbicide.

Daisy

Daisies are a common lawn weed, easily recognised by their rosette of spoon-shaped leaves and distinctive white flowers with yellow centres – often used for making daisy chains. They spread readily in lawns and can quickly become unsightly if left untreated.

They can be effectively controlled with Turfix herbicide.

Dandelion

Dandelion is a common lawn weed, easily recognised by its large yellow flower on an upright, leafless stem. The flower grows from a rosette of serrated leaves at the base. The upright stems can make a lawn look untidy, and while the flowers are beautiful when they seed, they spread rapidly if left untreated.

Dandelions can be controlled with Meso or Triumph Gold herbicide.

Hydrocotyle

Hydrocotyle is a low-growing, creeping weed that can quickly form a dense mat if left untreated. It has small, circular, serrated leaves and often thrives in shady, moist areas where grass struggles to grow.

Hydrocotyle can be treated with Triumph Gold or Grazon herbicide.

Onehunga

Onehunga, commonly known as prickle weed, is an unwelcome annual lawn weed that grows during the cooler months. It has finely divided leaves and produces clusters of sharp prickles when the weather warms, which can persist even after the plant dies.

To effectively control Onehunga, treat lawns with Meso or Triumph Gold during winter or spring, before the prickles develop.

Plantain

Plantain is a common lawn weed with several different varieties including narrow and broad-leaved types. It has a low-growing rosette of leaves and produces white flowers and seed heads atop multiple tall stems, which can make lawns look untidy if left untreated.

Plantain can be effectively controlled with Triumph Gold or Turfix.

Purslane

Purslane is a fast-spreading summer weed that grows low to the ground with thick, fleshy leaves and reddish stems. It thrives in warm conditions and bare patches, quickly forming mats that crowd out healthy grass.

Purslane can be effectively treated with Meso, which targets the weed without harming your lawn.

Selfheal

Selfheal is a low-growing lawn weed that can form a dense mat of dark green leaves. It spreads via creeping stems that root into the soil and produces clusters of purple flowers at the top of the stems in spring.

Selfheal can be controlled with Meso.

Speedwell

There are many different varieties of speedwell, with creeping speedwell being the type most commonly found in home lawns. It has small, kidney-shaped, hairy leaves and is an aggressive weed that can form a dense mat. It produces pale blue flowers on long stalks.

There is no over-the-counter chemical for controlling speedwell; it can only be treated using products applied by an Approved Chemical Handler.

Thistles

Thistles grow as a rosette of pale green, hairy, and spiny leaves close to the ground. Flowers, usually pink or purple, grow on tall stems, though they are rarely seen in home lawns because regular mowing prevents the stems from developing.

Thistles can be controlled with Triumph Gold, or Turfix.

Yarrow

Yarrow is a common lawn weed, particularly problematic in newly sown lawns. It has feathery, soft leaves and produces a disc of white flowers on upright stalks. It has a spreading root system that can form a dense mat of weed.

Yarrow can be effectively treated with Turfix.