Introduction
Broadleaf weeds are highly visible in turfgrass and thus are often considered among the most troublesome pests in turfgrass areas. Though the majority of broadleaf weeds are relatively easy to control in turfgrass, they are quick to reinvade thin turfgrass after difficult winters or summers, or in areas next to sidewalks and driveways.
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Where do broadleaf weeds come from?
Seeds exist in the soil seed bank and can remain viable for up to 30 years or more.
Many weeds can produce thousands of seeds per year, which can be carried for miles by wind currents.
Inexpensive grass seed can be contaminated with broadleaf weed seed, which can invade your lawn.
Poor-quality topsoil or compost can contain viable seeds of broadleaf weeds.
Weed Life Cycles
Weed Life Cycles Part 2
Annuals
Annuals have a one-year life cycle. They germinate from seed, mature, and produce seed for the next generation in less than 12 months. Common chickweed and henbit are examples of cool-season (winter) annuals that germinate in the fall, overwinter, produce seed in spring, and die with the heat of summer. Warm-season (summer) annuals germinate when soil temperatures warm in May or June, prostrate spurge, oxalis, and purslane are a few examples.
Biennials
Biennials require two years to complete their life cycle. They form a rosette the first year, then flower and die during the second year. There are few biennial turfgrass weeds, but many thistles are biennials.
Perennials
Perennials are plants that live for more than two years and may live indefinitely. Most perennials grow originally from seed, but may also arise from reproductive structures such as stolons, rhizomes, or tubers. Dandelions and white clover grow best in spring and fall and are considered cool-season perennials. Field bindweed regrows from rootstocks in early to mid-summer and is considered a warm-season perennial.
Cultural Control for Lawn Care Operators and Homeowners
There is no way to completely eradicate weeds from a turfgrass site, but the best way to minimize weeds and improve herbicide effectiveness is through proper cultural management practices, including the following:
Mow at 3.0 to 3.5 inches throughout the year and frequently enough to remove no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade per mowing.
When irrigating, practice deep and infrequent irrigation. Water enough to wet the soil to the depth of turfgrass rooting and only water again at the first signs of drought stress.
Fertilize primarily in the fall with 60 to 100% of the annual nitrogen applied after Labor Day, usually mid-September and again in late October near the final mowing. Minimize fertilization in the spring and summer to avoid excess growth, which compromises turfgrass health in the long run. Generally, the thicker the turf stand, the fewer weeds will germinate.
Maximize turfgrass growing conditions by creating a conducive environment. Minimize shade through tree management and minimize soil compaction through traffic management and aerification. Furthermore, certain weed species are indicators of poor environmental conditions. Table 1 lists several of these indicator weed species and the environments in which they are typically found.
Broadleaf weeds can occur in shaded areas and spread to other areas of the lawn. Consider growing shade-tolerant turfgrasses like fine fescues and selectively prune trees, to help maximize the amount of sun to your lawn. Work with a landscape designer to separate turf from trees. Grasses need at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day for an effective turfgrass stand.
Herbicide Control for Lawn Care Operators
There are at least 13 different active ingredients (a.i.’s) currently used in turfgrass that will control broadleaf weeds postemergence (POST) (Table 2). Using multiple a.i.’s can broaden the spectrum of weed control, but resistance management is more commonly described as using herbicides with multiple modes of action.
Most a.i.’s are systemic and move with the photosynthate in the phloem to the growing points of the plant. Therefore, it is important to apply herbicide when the weeds are actively growing and not under stress from heat, drought, traffic, cold, etc. Two exceptions to this are carfentrazone (QuickSilver T&O and others) and pyraflufen-ethyl (Octane 2% SC) which are contact herbicides.
Most of the a.i.’s available have POST properties and must be applied to emerged plants. Isoxaben (Gallery SC, Isoxaben 75WG) is a preemergence (PRE) herbicide and will not control emerged plants. Tenacity (mesotrione) has both PRE and POST properties depending on the weed species. If traditional PRE herbicides are applied prior to germination, the control for broadleaf weeds would be minimal.
Most professionals use liquid formulations, but granular herbicides or herbicide/fertilizer combinations may be needed in some situations. Granular products usually have to be applied to wet foliage in order to stick to the leaf surface and be absorbed. One exception to this is penoxsulam (LockUp), which is absorbed by roots and foliage.
Herbicide Control Tips for Homeowners
The most common broadleaf weed herbicides contain two or three of the following individual a.i.’s: 2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba. By applying multiple a.i.’s, a wider range of broadleaf weeds can be controlled compared to when using a single a.i.
To ensure proper control and safety, always read, understand, and follow all herbicide label directions.
Spot-apply herbicides when only a few weeds are present rather than treating the entire lawn. Apply just enough to wet the leaf but not to the point that the herbicide is dripping off the leaf.
Best control is achieved when applied to young, actively growing weeds.
Herbicide control is less effective, and turf safety decreases when weeds are treated under low soil moisture.
Always apply herbicides on a calm, clear day when air temperatures are between 50 and 85F. Temperatures higher than 85°F increase the chance of turfgrass damage on cool-season grasses, and avoid applying to buffalograss when temperatures exceed 75°F. Read the herbicide label for wind speed recommendations.
If it rains within 24 hours of herbicide application, it may be necessary to reapply if results are not showing after 10 days.
Granular herbicides and herbicide/fertilizer combinations usually have to be applied to wet foliage in order to stick to the leaf surface and be absorbed.
Preemergence herbicides will not prevent perennial broadleaf weeds (dandelions, etc.) from infesting a lawn.
Do not apply herbicides to new turfgrass seedlings until the grass has been mowed at least three times, but check the individual product label to be sure.
Delay reseeding bare area caused by weed removal until after soaking rain or irrigation.
Wait to apply a herbicide to newly sodded areas for 4 to 6 weeks.
Avoid mowing treated areas for at least 2 days before and after the treatment.
Always read and follow the label for specific precautions, proper safety clothing to be worn during use, and re-entry intervals for humans and pets.
Herbicide Timing for Control of Weed Types
Perennial Broadleaf Weeds
Examples include dandelion, white clover, ground ivy
Perennial broadleaf weeds continually grow from one year to the next. The canopy (aboveground) vegetation may die back each winter, but the following spring new growth is produced from belowground rhizomes. Perennial broadleaf weeds can be spread by seed.
Fall is recommended for application of broadleaves due to ideal growing conditions of cool-season grasses to fill in voids after control is applied. Furthermore, fall applications are usually safe on turfgrass because of lower air temperatures and fewer ornamentals are present in susceptible stages to cause off-target damage. Even applications well into October are very effective when evaluated the following spring (Hanson and Branham, 1998; Reicher and Wiesenberger, 2007; Wilson and Michiels, 2003). Some recommend waiting to apply until after the first frost (Wilson and Michiels, 2003), but data show that applications throughout the fall are effective (Reicher and Wiesenberger, 2007).
September and October are the best months to apply a herbicide.
Three-way herbicides (2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba), triclopyr, or fluroxypyr are more effective.
Winter Annual Broadleaf Weeds
Examples include henbit, chickweed, and shepherd's purse
Winter annual broadleaf weeds germinate in the fall, produce seed the following spring, and die out with the hot temperatures of summer.
Application timing should be similar to perennial broadleaf weeds.
Spring herbicide applications on winter annuals are usually not justified because these weeds are near the end of their life cycle.
Summer Annual Broadleaf Weeds
Examples include spurge, knotweed, purslane and oxalis
Summer annual broadleaf weeds germinate in the spring, flower and produce seed early to mid-summer, and die following the first hard frost in the fall. Proper cultural practices will help limit summer annuals.
For most effective control with herbicides, apply multiple applications of a POST herbicide throughout the summer and/or apply a PRE herbicide containing isoxaben in April to control summer annual broadleaf weeds before they germinate. Since isoxaben does not affect emerged weeds, a POST herbicide should be applied at the same time for weeds that have already germinated. These weeds mature quickly, and a single herbicide application will only control a few of the summer annuals since the others either have not germinated or have grown too large to be controlled. In addition, summer annuals have a waxy layer on their leaves to prevent water loss, which will also limit herbicides from entering the leaves.
Weather on Herbicides
Weather and Herbicides
Figure 2. Dandelion effect few days later from postemergence herbicide application.
Best broadleaf weed control and turfgrass safety occur with ample soil moisture and air temperatures between 50 and 85°F for most products (check label for specifics). Avoid applying to buffalograss when temperatures exceed 75°F. Most herbicides are rainfast within 4 to 8 hours, but this varies widely depending on formulation, spray volume, humidity, temperature, etc. If rain occurs shortly after application, observe the area for 7 to 10 days and consider reapplying if no herbicide symptoms are seen (Fig. 2).
Surfactants and other adjuvants are often used with the hope of improving control or increasing the time that the product remains on the leaf surface. However, only use adjuvants when specifically recommended on the label or previous experience justifies the use. Adjuvants can increase the risk of burn to desired turfgrass.
Ornamentals, trees, and vegetables are extremely sensitive to herbicide drift damage. Drift can occur from the liquid form during windy conditions. Furthermore, drift damage can occur in warm weather if these herbicides volatilize and move to non-target plants. Limit applications to periods of low wind speed and relatively cool conditions. Amine and low volatile ester formulations drift less than traditional ester formulations.
Herbicide Use over New Seedlings
Almost all broadleaf herbicides will damage young turfgrass seedlings if applied prior to seeding or shortly after germination.
Carfentrazone (Quicksilver T&O) tends to have the most flexible label of the POST a.i.’s, whereas mesotrione (Tenacity) has the most flexible label of the PRE a.i.’s. Check the herbicide labels for specific recommendations.
FIGURE 1. PICTURE OF BINDWEED NEXT TO A GOLF BALL. PICTURE BY ZAC REICHER
Field Bindweed
Field Bindweed (Fig. 1) is a deep-rooted perennial regrowing from rootstocks and rhizomes in late spring. It is similar to morning glory, often climbing ornamentals, fences, etc. It is an aggressive seed producer and seed can remain viable for 60 years, so long-term control is needed and PRE’s like isoxaben may also be effective. POST herbicides like clopyralid where labeled (Calhoun 2002) or quinclorac (ex. Drive XLR8) can be very effective on mature bindweed (Zawierucha et al., 2010).
FIGURE 2. GROUND IVY IN A CONTAINER AT WEED GARDEN IN EAST CAMPUS TURFGRASS RESEARCH CENTER. PICTURE BY AMANDA FOLCK.
Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy (Fig. 2) is a cool-season, shade tolerant perennial that regrows from crowns and stolons in the spring. It is highly stoloniferous, and herbicides do not translocate well through the stolons (Kohler et al., 2004b). Ground ivy usually has hairy leaves so herbicides do not penetrate the leaves. Furthermore, ground ivy is genetically highly variable, and some populations are susceptible to a specific herbicide while other adjacent populations are tolerant (Kohler et al., 2004c). Therefore, it is critical to alternate or tank mix multiple a.i.’s. Triclopyr (Turflon Ester Ultra), fluroxypyr (Vista XRT), and 2,4-D applied in the fall are most effective (Kohler et al., 2004a; Reicher and Wiesenberger, 2007), and efficacy is improved with multiple applications on 3-week intervals. (Kohler et al., 2004a) Isoxaben applied in spring will also help prevent stolons from rooting (Kohler et al., 2004a).
FIGURE 3. PUNCTUREVINE IN AN AREA. PICTURE BY ZAC REICHER.
Puncturevine
Puncturevine (Fig. 3) is a warm-season annual that is drought-tolerant because of its deep taproot. It flowers within three weeks of germination, is a prolific seed producer, and reproduces entirely by seed. Therefore, PRE crabgrass herbicides or especially isoxaben may be effective if applied in spring. Herbicides are most effective when applied to young plants and 2,4-D+MCPP+dicamba+carfentrazone (Speedzone EW) has been most effective in the few research trials found on this weed (Henry and Williams, 2011; Fagerness, 2003).
FIGURE 4. WILD VIOLET IN TURFGRASS AREA. PICTURE BY AARON PATTON, PURDUE UNIVERSITY.
Wild Violet
Wild violet (Fig. 4) are perennials that spread by seeds or thick rootstocks. Violets are often found in shaded lawns where turfgrass is not well-adapted. As a perennial, fall applications of herbicides would be most effective. Products containing triclopyr (Turflon Ester Ultra and others) have been effective, especially when combined with quinclorac (Calhoun, 2001).
Table 1. Weed Indicators
Name of soil concern | Weed type examples (Latin name) |
Acid Soil (low soil pH) | Red sorrel (Rumex acetosella) |
Moist or poorly drained soil | Mosses, common chickweed (Stellaria media), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), violets (Viola species), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), annual bluegrass (Poa annua), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli). |
Moist fertile soil | Curly dock (Rumex crispus), henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) |
Tall Height of Cut | Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), wild carrot (Daucus carota), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and foxtails (Setaria species). |
Dry soil | Red sorrell (Rumex acetosella), sandbur (Cenchrus), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). |
Dry infertile soil | Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), black medic (Medicago lupulina), bush clovers (Lespedeza species). |
Compacted soil | Common chickweed (Stellaria media), prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare), prostrate spurge (Euphorbia supina), puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris), annual bluegrass (Poa annua), common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). |
Cultivated soils with new seedings (for the Summer) | Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), pigweeds (family Amaranth), carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata), henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), |
High Fertility Soils (Nitrogen) | Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), annual bluegrass (Poa annua) |
High Fertility Soils (Potassium) | Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) |
Low Fertility Soils | Plantains (Plantago species), red sorrel (Rumex acetosella), white clover (Trifolium repens), bush clovers (Lespedeza species), timothy (Phleum pratense). |
Shaded Soil | Common chickweed (Stellaria media), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum) |
Wet Shaded Soil | Violets (Viola species) |
Table 2. Post Emerg A.I.
Common name | Mechanism of Action | Example of trade names or other information |
2, 4-D | 4 | 25+ other a.i. mixtures with many various brand names. |
Carfentrazone | 14 | Quicksilver T&O or mixed with other a.i.’s |
Clopyralid | 4 | Lontrel or mix with other a.i.’s. Not labeled for residential use. |
Dicamba | 4 | Banvel, many trade names and various mixes with other a.i.’s. |
Fluroxypyr | 4 | Vista XRT, Flagstaff, or mix with other a.i.’s |
Mecoprop (MCPP) | 4 | Mecomec 2.5 and many trade names or mix with other a.i.’s |
MCPA | 4 | Many brand names or often mix with other a.i.’s |
Penoxsulam | 2 | LockUp, Sapphire, or mix with other a.i.’s |
Pyraflufen-ethyl | 14 | Octane 2% SC |
Quinclorac | 4 | Drive XLR8, Quinclorac 1.5L, and others, plus other mix with other a.i.’s |
Sulfentrazone | 14 | Dismiss and mix with other a.i.’s |
Topramezone | 27 | Pylex |
Triclopyr | 4 | Turflon Ester Ultra and many trade names or mix with other a.i.’s |
For more information on specific broadleaf weed control for your turfgrass area, refer to the Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals book.
References
Anonymous. 2011. Weeds are indicators of soil problems. lawninstitute.org (1 June 2011). The Lawn Institute.
Calhoun, R. 2001. Herbicide and plant growth regulator update. p. 106-116. In Proceedings of the 71st Annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference. East Lansing, MI: January 15-18, 2001. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University.
Calhoun, R. 2002. Tough turf weeds in Michigan: Management options. p. 95-97. In Proceedings of the 72nd Annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference. East Lansing, MI: January 21-24, 2002. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University.
Cella, L., and T. Voigt. 2000. Indicator weeds. University of Illinois Turfgrass Program.
Fagerness, M. 2003. Postemergence control of puncturevine and spurge. Turfgrass Res. p. 63-64.
Hanson, K. V., and B. E. Branham. 1988. Broadleaf weed control research update: II. Late fall weed control. Proc. of the 58th Annual. Michigan Turfgrass Conference. 17:44-51.
Henry, G. M., and T. Williams. 2011. Postemergence control of puncturevine (Tribulus cistoides L.) in bermudagrass. Lubbock, TX: Texas Tech University.
Kohler, E. A., C. S. Throssell and Z. J. Reicher. 2004a. Cultural and chemical control of ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea). HortScience 48(3):566-574.
Kohler, E. A., C. S. Throssell, and Z. J. Reicher. 2004b. 2,4-D rate response, absorption, and translocation of two ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) populations. Weed Technology 18:917-923.
Kohler, E. A., C. S. Throssell and Z. J.Reicher. 2004c. Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) populations respond differently to 2,4-D or triclopyr. Weed Technology 18(3):566-574.
Reicher, Z. J., and D. V. Weisenberger. 2007. Herbicide selection and application timing in the fall affects control of ground ivy. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science. doi:10.1094/ATS-2007-0831-01-RS.
Wilson, R. G., and A. Michiels, 2003. Fall herbicide treatments affect carbohydrate content in roots of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Weed Sci. 51:299-304.
Zawierucha, J., G. Oliver, T. Cannan, and K. Kalmowitz. 2010. Advancements in quinclorac formulation performance for turfgrass weed control. Proc. Annual. Meet. Northeast. Weed Sci. Soc. 64:p. 6.
Patton, A.J., and M. Elmore. 2025. Turfgrass weed control for professionals. https://edustore.purdue.edu/turf-100.html
Author Information
Originally known as Broadleaf weed control in home lawns (2011) and Lawn Care Pro Series: Broadleaf weed control (2012), University of Nebraska-Lincoln Turfgrass Science Program, Pub. Turf 2011 b & 2012a by Zac Reicher and Chris Proctor.
Reviewed and Edited by:
Amanda Folck, Assistant Extension Educator: Turfgrass Management, Agronomy and Horticulture Department
John Fech, Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension
A.J. Lindsey, Assistant Professor, Horticulture and Natural Resources & Extension Specialist: Turfgrass Management, Kansas State University
Updated September 24, 2026