Common Lawn Weeds

It only takes one weed to ruin a beautiful lawn—but when is there ever just one? Green Drop lawn programs are designed to create happy, health turf. Simply put, a healthy lawn makes it difficult for weeds to compete.

Sometimes a little extra control is needed along the way. Get a handle on some of the most common weeds by learning how to identify them and leave it to us to eliminate them!

Dandelion

Characteristics

• Serrated, comb- and tooth-like leaves 
• Hollow, leafless stalk
• Yellow, petal-like flowers mature to white puffballs

Weed Type

Broadleaf perennial with a long, deep taproot.

How it Spreads

By seeds that germinate year-round in accommodating climates.

Clover

Characteristics

• Clover shaped, green leaves with circular markings, on thin stems
• Alternate compound leaves, usually with three toothed leaflets
• Ball shaped flowers can be white, pink, yellow

Weed Type

• Perennial, broad leaf

How it Spreads

• Spreads by tap-root, off runners, can spread quickly

Creeping Charlie

Characteristics

• Creeping stems and very fine hairs all over the plant
• Dark green, kidney shaped leaves with scalloped edges
• Leaves are small – about the size of a thumbnail
• Prefers moist, shady areas, but can tolerate sun

Weed Type

• Perennial, evergreen weed in the mint family

How it Spreads

• It spreads by rhizomes and seeds, and forms thick mats in the lawn

Plantain

Characteristics

• Broad leaves with five prominent veins running from the base
• Short, winged leaf stalk
• Dense, erect flower spikes

Weed Type

Broadleaf perennial with shallow, fibrous roots.

How it Spreads

By small, angular seeds. The mature seeds in one spike will range in color from orange all the way to black. Spikes will include seeds in shades of brown between the two extremes.

Thistle

Characteristics

• Prickly, deeply-lobed leaves
• Slender, hairless stems 
• White, purple or pink flowers

Weed Type

Broadleaf with many annual and perennial species and seeds that remain viable for many years.

How it Spreads

By seeds and root fragments.

Quackgrass

Characteristics

• Upright, flat, rough-edged, blue-green leaves
• Leaf blade grasps the stem at its base
• Flattened spike of alternating flowers and seeds

Weed Type

Perennial grass most active during cool spring and fall seasons.

How it Spreads

By seeds and rhizomes, but primarily by underground tubers known as nutlets.

Crabgrass

Characteristics

• Flat, pointed, narrow leaves, rolled at the base with a prominent midvein
• Short, flat, purplish-green stems
• Fringy, spike-like flower heads

Weed Type

Annual summer grass that germinates throughout the season, capable of producing 150,000 seeds per plant, per season.

How it Spreads

By seeds and lower stem pieces that root.

Our GreenKeepers can help!

Experiencing issues with any of these pesky weeds? All of our packages enhance the look and overall health of your lawn.