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Texas Weeds: How to Identify and Get Rid of Them

Texas Weeds: How to Identify and Get Rid of Them

Texas lawns and landscapes are constantly battling aggressive weeds that thrive in the region’s warm climate and varied soil conditions. Knowing how to identify these weeds is the first step in managing them effectively. Below, we’ll cover some of the most common weeds found across Texas and how you can recognize them.

Dandelion

Appearance: The dandelion features a bright yellow flower composed of numerous thin petals that eventually transition into a fluffy white seed head.
Size: It typically grows between 2 and 18 inches tall.
Flower: The flower is a composite bloom with numerous thin petals radiating outward.
Leaves: Its leaves are deeply lobed, forming a rosette close to the ground with jagged edges.
Growth Habit: Dandelions have a deep taproot and grow in both cool and warm seasons, making them a persistent problem.
Where You’ll Find It: They are commonly found in lawns, pastures, roadsides, and garden beds.
When They Appear: They appear from early spring through fall.

Additional Notes: Their seed heads disperse easily in the wind, making them highly invasive.

Crabgrass

Appearance: Crabgrass is a low-growing, spreading grass with thick, coarse blades.
Size: While it generally stays low, it can reach up to 2 feet in height.
Flower: It produces finger-like seed heads.
Leaves: Its leaves are light green with a slightly hairy texture.
Growth Habit: It forms clumps and spreads through creeping stems that root at the nodes.
Where You’ll Find It: Crabgrass thrives in lawns, sidewalks, and driveways, especially in bare or thin grass areas.
When They Appear: It appears from late spring to early fall.

Additional Notes: It thrives in thin, patchy lawns, where it can quickly take over.

Clover

Appearance: Clover produces small, round white flowers that gradually turn pinkish as they mature.
Size: It typically grows between 4 and 8 inches tall.
Flower: The flower forms a round, globe-shaped cluster made up of tiny individual blooms.
Leaves: Its leaves consist of three oval leaflets, often displaying a pale crescent shape.
Growth Habit: It is a low-growing plant that spreads rapidly via creeping stems.
Where You’ll Find It: Clover is commonly found in lawns with poor nitrogen levels, often in compacted soil.
When They Appear: It appears from spring through fall.

Additional Notes: Its presence is an indicator of poor nitrogen levels in the soil.

Chickweed

Appearance: Chickweed features small, star-shaped white flowers with deeply lobed petals.
Size: It grows between 3 and 8 inches tall.
Flower: The flower has five deeply lobed petals, giving it a star-like appearance.
Leaves: Its leaves are oval-shaped, arranged in opposite pairs, and have a smooth texture.
Growth Habit: It forms dense mats and thrives in cooler temperatures.
Where You’ll Find It: Chickweed is commonly found in shady, moist areas of gardens and lawns.
When They Appear: It appears from winter through early spring.

Additional Notes: It is most often found in shady, damp areas where it can spread quickly.

Purslane

Appearance: Purslane is a low-growing, spreading plant with thick, succulent-like stems and small yellow flowers.
Size: It typically grows between 2 and 6 inches tall but can spread up to 18 inches wide.
Flower: The flower is small with five petals.
Leaves: Its leaves are fleshy, oval-shaped, and smooth.
Growth Habit: It is highly drought- and heat-tolerant, spreading aggressively in bare soil areas.
Where You’ll Find It: Purslane is commonly found in lawns, garden beds, and driveways.
When They Appear: It appears from late spring through summer.

Additional Notes: It is edible and rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Spotted Spurge

Appearance: Spotted spurge is a low-growing plant with reddish stems and tiny pinkish-white flowers.
Size: It forms dense mats that can spread up to 12 inches wide.
Flower: Its flowers are tiny and pinkish-white.
Leaves: The leaves are small, oval-shaped, and often feature a dark red or purple spot in the center.
Growth Habit: It spreads rapidly in thin lawns, forming thick ground cover.
Where You’ll Find It: It thrives in sidewalk cracks, driveways, and sunny, dry areas.
When They Appear: It appears from late spring through fall.

Additional Notes: When broken, the plant produces a milky sap.

Thistle

Appearance: Thistle is a tall, spiny plant with purple flowers.
Size: It can grow anywhere from 1 to 6 feet in height.
Flower:
The flowers are spiny and appear on tall stalks.
Leaves: Its leaves are sharp, deeply lobed, and have a rough texture.
Growth Habit: Thistle spreads through both seeds and underground roots, forming dense patches.
Where You’ll Find It: It is commonly found in fields, roadsides, and overgrown areas with disturbed soil.
When They Appear: It appears from spring through summer.

Additional Notes: Due to its deep roots, it is often difficult to remove.

Nutsedge

Appearance: Nutsedge is a grass-like weed with triangular stems and bright green, waxy leaves.
Size: It can grow anywhere from 6 to 30 inches tall.
Flower: The plant produces small, spiky clusters of flowers.
Leaves: Its leaves are narrow, upright, and often taller than the surrounding grass.
Growth Habit: Nutsedge spreads via underground tubers called nutlets.
Where You’ll Find It: It thrives in wet, poorly drained lawns and garden beds.
When They Appear: It appears from spring through fall.

Additional Notes: It is most commonly found in areas with excessive moisture and poor drainage.

Henbit

Appearance: Henbit is a small plant with tubular purple flowers and a square-shaped stem.
Size: It grows between 4 and 12 inches tall.
Flower: The flowers are small and tubular in shape.
Leaves: Its leaves are rounded, have scalloped edges, and are covered in fine hairs.
Growth Habit: Henbit is a winter annual that thrives in cool, moist conditions.
Where You’ll Find It: It is commonly found in lawns, flower beds, and shady areas.
When They Appear: It appears from late winter through early spring.

Additional Notes: It frequently grows in both lawns and flower beds, where it spreads quickly.

Bindweed

Appearance: Bindweed is a vining plant with white to pale pink, trumpet-shaped flowers that resemble morning glories.
Size: The vines can grow up to 6 feet in length.
Flower: Its flowers are trumpet-shaped, similar in appearance to morning glories.
Leaves: The leaves are arrowhead-shaped and have a smooth surface.
Growth Habit: Bindweed spreads by twining around other plants, choking them out.
Where You’ll Find It: It is commonly found in gardens, along fences, and in disturbed soil areas.
When They Appear: It appears from late spring through summer.

Additional Notes: It is extremely invasive and difficult to eradicate.

How to Get Rid of Weeds

Tackling weeds requires a strategic approach that includes both preventative measures and targeted treatments. Here’s how you can keep your lawn weed-free:

Maintain a Healthy Lawn: A dense, well-fed lawn naturally crowds out weeds. Regular fertilization, aeration, and proper watering help grass outcompete invasive plants.
Mow Smart: Keep your lawn at the optimal height to prevent weeds from establishing. Cutting too short can weaken grass and allow weeds to take over.
Use the Right Herbicides:
- Pre-emergent herbicides stop weeds before they sprout—best applied in early spring and fall.
- Post-emergent herbicides target actively growing weeds, ensuring they don’t spread.
Hand-Pulling: For small infestations, manual removal can be effective, but deep-rooted weeds often return without proper treatment.
Professional Lawn Care Services: Stubborn weeds like nutsedge, thistle, and bindweed require specialized treatments. Lawn care experts have the knowledge and tools to eliminate weeds effectively while promoting long-term grass health.

Final Thoughts

Weeds in Texas thrive due to the state's diverse climate, but with proper identification and lawn care, you can keep them at bay. If you need expert help in tackling stubborn weeds, consider professional weed control services through Dr. John's Lawn Prescription LLC to maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn year-round.

For more lawn care tips or to schedule a consultation, contact your team of local lawn care professionals!

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