WEED ID · WINTER ANNUAL BROADLEAF
Henbit
Also called Deadnettle
A winter weed with square stems and purple flowers. It sprouts in fall and takes over thin lawns in late winter and spring.
How to spot it
- Square stems. Roll one in your fingers
- Round, scalloped leaves with blunt teeth
- Upper leaves wrap around the stem
- Small pink to purple flowers in rings around the stem
- Grows in patches, often in thin or dormant turf
Why it shows up
Henbit seed sprouts in fall and grows through the cool months. It does best where warm-season grass is thin or dormant. It flowers in late winter and spring, then drops seed for next year.
How we treat it
Henbit is a winter annual, so timing matters. We apply a pre-emergent in late summer to fall, before the seed sprouts. For plants already up, we spot treat with a product labeled for your grass type. Spring and fall fertilization helps the lawn thicken up and crowd it out.
What you can do
- Do not mow it into the lawn after it sets seed. Bag the clippings.
- Treat in early fall when plants are small. Waiting until spring is harder.
- Keep the lawn thick so there is less open soil for seed.
WANT IT HANDLED?
Let a licensed applicator take it from here.
Tell us about your lawn. We’ll get back to you with a free quote.
Prefer to talk? 817-382-1722Licensed applicator, Texas Department of Agriculture · License #0984138