Life cycle
Annual and perennial species; dense patches noticeable in lawns, especially in early spring.
Growth habit
All are creeping, prostrate plants with small, rounded leaves, toothed at the margins; flowers light blue to white with 5 petals; fruit a heart-shaped capsule.
Photo: Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org
Reproduction
Seed
Conditions that favor growth
Low fertility soils.
Management in lawns
Lawn care practices
Maintain healthy, dense turf that can compete and prevent weed establishment.
Mechanical management
Hand pulling or using an appropriate weeding tool are the primary means of mechanical weed control in lawns. This is a viable option at the beginning of an infestation and on young weeds. Hand pulling when the soil is moist makes the task easier.
Manage Weeds Without Chemicals
Chemical treatment in lawns
If you choose this option, spot treat weeds with a liquid, selective, postemergent, broadleaf weed killer applied when weeds are actively growing. Look for a product with one or more of the following active ingredients:
2, 4-D, MCPP (mecoprop), Dicamba*, or Triclopyr.
*Do not spray herbicides containing dicamba over the root zone of trees and shrubs. Roots can absorb the product possibly causing plant damage. Refer to the product label for precautions.