Home - Weed Control Services Dallas, TX - 12 Common Weeds in North Texas

12 Common Weeds in North Texas

TL;DR Summary

Weed Name Season Type Treatment Type
Dandelion Spring/Summer Broadleaf Post-emergent
Crabgrass Early Spring Grassy Pre-emergent
Nutsedge Summer Sedge Post-emergent selective
Spurge Summer Broadleaf Pre and post-emergent
Poa Annua Fall/Winter Grassy Pre-emergent

Fastest growers: Crabgrass, Spurge, Nutsedge

3-step control plan:

  1. Inspect seasonally
  2. Apply targeted herbicides
  3. Reinforce turf health

Why Lawn Weeds Thrive in North Texas

common weeds in north texasNorth Texas lawns face tough conditions. The warm, humid air and sudden rain create long growing seasons that weeds enjoy. This is especially true around Dallas and Fort Worth.

North Texas soils plays a role too. Soil in North Texas tends to be shallow and compacted. Poor drainage and foot traffic make it worse. Grass struggles to take root, but weeds don’t.

Overwatering and frequent mowing add to the problem. Thin, stressed turf leaves open space for weeds to spread fast.

How to Identify North Texas Lawn Weeds

Not all weeds look the same. Use growth type, season, and visual traits to spot them before they take over.

By Growth Type

  • Broadleaf weeds: Wide leaves, strong veins, flowers
  • Grassy weeds: Thin blades, mimic turf
  • Sedges: Waxy stems, triangle shape, grow fast

By Season

  • Spring: Dandelion, Chickweed, Clover
  • Summer: Crabgrass, Spurge, Nutsedge
  • Fall/Winter: Henbit, Bittercress, Poa Annua

Visual Clues

  • Color: Green to purple
  • Flowers: Yellow flowers (Dandelion), white flowers (Bittercress)
  • Growth habit: Mat-forming (Spurge), upright (Dallisgrass), clumping (Dallisgrass, Poa Annua)

12 Common North Texas Weeds

These are the most persistent weeds in a North Texas lawn. Each one thrives in local soil and climate. Learn to recognize them.

dandelions - a common north texas weedBroadleaf Weeds

Dandelion

Bright yellow flowers. Deep taproot. Grows in early spring and summer. Shows up after mowing or rain. Taproot makes hand-pulling hard.

Common misidentification: Confused with wild lettuce when young.

Treatment: Use selective post emergent herbicides in early spring. Spot treat before flowering.

Spurge

Reddish center. Forms flat mats that hug the ground. Germinates in warm weather. Thrives in dry, compacted soil. Breaks easily. Milky sap leaks from stems.

Treatment: Pre emergence weed control in early spring. Follow with post emergence if it breaks through.

Henbit

Purple flowers. Square stems. Grows upright early in the year. Germinates in early fall. Loves shaded lawns.

Common misidentification: Often confused with purple deadnettle.

Treatment: Apply pre emergent in fall. Use post emergent weed control before bloom.

Chickweed

Small white flowers. Dense, low growth. Loves cool, moist lawns. Germinates in late fall. Often seen in shaded corners.

Treatment: Apply pre emergent weed control in early fall. Hand-pull or spot-spray post emergents in winter.

Bittercress

Tiny white flowers. Grows in clusters. Shoots up in late winter or early spring. Thrives in wet or recently irrigated lawns.

Treatment: Target with early post emergent herbicides. Mow regularly to prevent seed spread.

Clover

Three round leaflets. Grows low to ground. Appears in thin grass. Attracts bees in bloom. Fixes nitrogen into soil.

Treatment: Use broadleaf post emergent. Overseed and fertilize to crowd it out.

crabgrass north texasGrassy Weeds

Crabgrass

Wide blades. Grows in patches in sunny areas. Germinates in early March. Dies after first frost. Spreads by seeds.

Common misidentification: Sometimes confused with dallisgrass when small.

Treatment: Use pre emergent in late winter. Apply post emergent in early growth phase.

Dallisgrass

Coarse texture. Clumps upright. Thick stalks with seed heads. Spreads by rhizomes and seed. Loves heat and thin turf.

Treatment: Use targeted post emergent herbicide. Treat in active growth during summer.

Rescuegrass

Cool-season weed. Appears in early spring or late fall. Long seed heads. Common in neglected or overwatered lawns.

Treatment: Apply pre emergent in early fall. Improve drainage and mowing to reduce spread.

Annual Bluegrass (Poa Annua)

Light green color. Clumps with seed heads. Grows in fall and winter. Prefers moist areas.

Treatment: Use pre emergent in September. Keep soil from staying too wet. Spot spray if needed.

Sedges

nutsedge Nutsedge (Yellow and Purple)

Grass-like, but stands taller. Shiny blades. Triangular stems. Yellow nutsedge spreads faster. Purple has deeper roots. Both grow aggressively in wet areas.

Common misidentification: Mistaken for grassy weeds due to similar blade shape.

Treatment: Use selective post emergent herbicide labeled for sedges like Dismiss or Sedgehammer. Don’t mow before spraying.

Kyllinga

Shorter than nutsedge. Forms dense mats. Green flowers on short stems. Appears in late spring and summer. Spreads through rhizomes.

Common misidentification: Often grouped with yellow nutsedge.

Treatment: Requires multiple post emergent applications. Improve drainage to prevent return.

How to Get Rid of Weeds in a North Texas Lawn

Step 1: Use the Right Herbicide

Best for warm-season grass like Bermuda or St. Augustine.

  • Pre-emergent: Stops seeds from sprouting (use in early fall and early spring)
  • Post-emergent: Kills visible weeds (apply when weeds are actively growing)
  • Selective: Won’t hurt your grass
  • Non-selective: Kills everything it touches

Recommended Brands:

  • Celsius: Good for broadleaf and grassy weeds
  • Dismiss: Works on sedges
  • Tenacity: Great for pre and post-emergence

Step 2: Use Organic or Natural Options (if preferred)

  • Vinegar: Spot treat small areas
  • Corn gluten meal: Prevents new seeds from sprouting
  • Manual removal: Use tools to dig taproots and clumps

Step 3: Reinforce Lawn Health

  • Mow higher: Taller grass shades weeds
  • Aerate compacted soil: Allows better water and root growth
  • Overseed in fall: Thickens lawn
  • Fertilize: Feed grass, not weeds

Weed Prevention Calendar for North Texas

Month What to Do
Jan–Feb Apply pre-emergent for Poa Annua
Early March Pre-emergent for crabgrass, spurge
April–June Post-emergent for spring broadleaf weeds
July–Aug Watch for nutsedge and spurge
Sept–Oct Apply pre-emergent for fall/winter weeds
Nov–Dec Fertilize and mow less often

What NOT to Do When Treating Weeds

  • Don’t overwater. Weeds love soggy turf.
  • Don’t spray post-emergents during extreme heat. It weakens grass.
  • Don’t wait too long. If you see seed heads, you’re already behind.
  • Don’t mow right before treatment. Herbicides need surface contact.

FAQs About Texas Lawn Weeds

What are the worst weeds in Texas?

Crabgrass, Dallisgrass, and Nutsedge cause the most damage to lawns in North Texas.

Are there weeds dangerous to pets or kids?

Yes. Spurge sap can irritate skin. Always keep kids and pets off recently treated areas.

Will these weeds come back every year?

Yes, if not treated early. Most are annual broadleaf weeds or grasses that return with the season.

Do I need a lawn care company to treat them?

If your lawn has multiple types of weeds or keeps getting worse, professional help saves time and money.

Don’t Let Weeds Win. Call Lawn Sense.

Perfect AmbianceYou don’t need to spend weekends chasing weeds. You need a plan, and a partner. Lawn Sense offers expert weed control for homeowners across Dallas and the surrounding areas.

Lawn Sense means no nonsense.

Still struggling with weed takeover? Call Lawn Sense today and reclaim your grass.