Common Weeds Found in Lawns & How to Control Them
A beautiful, green lawn enhances curb appeal, but weeds can quickly take over if left unchecked. In Central North Carolina, the combination of warm temperatures, seasonal rainfall, and varying soil types creates a perfect breeding ground for invasive weeds.
At A’Moore Clean Landscape & Property Maintenance, we help homeowners identify and manage the most common lawn weeds in the region. Here’s what you need to know about five common weeds found in Central North Carolina and how to keep them from ruining your lawn.
HINT: Close-mowed lawns tend to open up, allowing common weeds to invade. Light, frequent watering also favors crabgrass. Crabgrass often invades areas seeded in late spring because of bare soil, frequent watering, and the onset of hot weather - all ideal for its growth.
TIP: Mid-March to Early April is the recommended time for applying pre-emergence herbicides. Ensure its not too cold, delay applications to the end of the recommended window of application.
1. Clover (Trifolium repens)
How to Identify It: Clover has small, three-lobed leaves and produces white or pink flowers in late spring and summer. It thrives in nutrient-deficient lawns, often appearing where nitrogen levels are low. To prevent its spread, regular fertilization, mowing at a higher setting, and applying a broadleaf herbicide can help maintain a healthy, clover-free lawn.
How to Control It:
✔ Fertilize regularly to reduce nitrogen deficiencies, which clover prefers.
✔ Mow higher to shade out clover growth.
✔ Use a broadleaf herbicide to target clover without damaging turfgrass.
2. Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)
How to Identify It: Crabgrass is a fast-spreading annual weed with wide, light-green blades that grow low to the ground. It thrives in thin, bare spots and is especially aggressive during the warm months. Crabgrass can be treated through proper lawn care practices. To encourage a dense stand of vigorous grass are the best way to prevent weeds from invading. For example, mowing height can have a big impact. Lawns mowed higher (over 2½ inches) tend to have fewer problems with crabgrass.
How to Control It:
✔ Treat lawn with a pre-emergent herbicide before crabgrass seeds germinate.
✔ Water deeply but less frequently to promote strong turfgrass roots.
✔ Mow at a higher setting to shade out weed seeds.
3. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)
How to Identify It: Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a low-growing, fast-spreading perennial weed with round, scalloped leaves and purple-blue flowers that bloom in the spring. It spreads aggressively through above-ground runners (stolons), forming dense mats that smother turfgrass. This weed thrives in shady, moist areas and can quickly overtake weak or thin lawns. To control its spread, improving lawn health, mowing properly, and applying targeted herbicides are key strategies.
How to Control It:
✔ Improve lawn drainage and reduce excess moisture, as Creeping Charlie thrives in damp conditions.
✔ Mow at a higher setting and overseed to create a denser lawn that outcompetes weeds.
✔ Use a selective broadleaf herbicide containing triclopyr or dicamba for effective control.
4. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
How to Identify It: Dandelions have bright yellow flowers that turn into white, fluffy seed heads. They have deep taproots and can spread rapidly, making them difficult to remove once established. To effectively control them, it's essential to pull the entire taproot, apply broadleaf herbicides, and maintain a thick, healthy lawn to prevent new growth.
How to Control It:
✔ Hand-pull dandelions, ensuring you remove the entire taproot.
✔ Use a broadleaf herbicide to target dandelions without harming turfgrass.
✔ Keep your lawn thick and healthy to reduce open spaces for weeds.
5. Nutsedge (Cyperus spp.)
How to Identify It: Often mistaken for regular grass, nutsedge has bright yellow-green blades, grows taller than turfgrass, and has a triangular-shaped stem when rolled between fingers. Its aggressive growth and underground tubers make it difficult to eliminate, requiring a combination of proper drainage, targeted herbicides, and persistent removal to prevent it from spreading.
How to Control It:
✔ Improve drainage, as nutsedge thrives in wet areas.
✔ Apply a selective herbicide designed for nutsedge.
✔ Pull by hand only if you can remove the entire root system, including underground tubers.
6. Quackgrass (Elymus repens)
How to Identify It: A persistent, cool-season perennial grass with wide, coarse blades and distinctive claw-like auricles that wrap around the stem. It spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes, allowing it to quickly invade lawns and garden beds. Quackgrass is often mistaken for desirable turfgrass, but its rapid growth and ability to choke out other plants make it a nuisance. Controlling it requires consistent maintenance, targeted herbicide application, and proactive lawn care to prevent regrowth.
How to Control It:
✔ Spot-treat with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate to kill quackgrass at the root.
✔ Avoid tilling or pulling, as disturbing rhizomes can cause further spread.
✔ Maintain a thick, healthy lawn through proper fertilization and overseeding to reduce space for quackgrass invasion.
7. Thistle (Cirsium spp.)
How to Identify It: Thistle is a stubborn, spiny perennial weed with deep taproots and sharp, serrated leaves that make it difficult to remove by hand. It produces purple or pink flowers in the summer and spreads both by seeds and underground roots. Thistle thrives in disturbed or poorly maintained lawns, quickly overtaking weak turf. Controlling its spread requires targeted treatment and proactive lawn care to prevent regrowth.
How to Control It:
✔ Remove young thistle plants by hand, ensuring the entire taproot is extracted.
✔ Apply a broadleaf herbicide specifically designed to target thistle without harming grass.
✔ Keep your lawn thick and healthy with regular mowing, fertilization, and overseeding to prevent new thistle growth.
8. Wild Violets (Viola spp.)
How to Identify It: Wild violets have heart-shaped leaves and purple flowers. They spread through underground rhizomes, making them difficult to control and quick to take over weak or thin lawns. To keep them in check, multiple applications of broadleaf weed killer, regular aeration, and overseeding are necessary to strengthen turf density and reduce their spread.
How to Control It:
✔ Use a broadleaf weed killer with multiple applications.
✔ Aerate and overseed to strengthen your lawn’s density.
✔ Hand-pulling can help but may not remove all underground growth.
How to Prevent Weeds from Taking Over Your Lawn
The best way to combat weeds is to maintain a healthy, thick lawn that outcompetes invasive plants. Here’s how:
✅ Mow at the Right Height – Taller grass shades out weeds and prevents seed germination.
✅ Water Properly – Deep, infrequent watering strengthens turfgrass roots.
✅ Fertilize Regularly – Feeding your lawn keeps it healthy and resilient.
✅ Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control – Stops weed seeds from sprouting in early spring.
✅ Aerate & Overseed – Promotes a dense, lush lawn that weeds struggle to invade.
At A’Moore Clean Landscape & Property Maintenance, we provide professional lawn care solutions that help homeowners eliminate weeds and maintain a thriving, green lawn. If you’re struggling with persistent weeds, we’re here to help!
📞 Call Us Today: (919) 436-6407
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Let’s work together to keep your lawn healthy, weed-free, and beautiful all year long! 🌱