A common chickweed invasion may look like a few harmless flowers popping up in your lawn, but these cheerful, star-shaped flowers are doing much more harm than what you can see. Chickweed’s aggressive seed production and root development put your lawn at risk of severe damage and nutrient deficiencies. Pro Outdoor has put together this blog post to help you understand the importance of dealing with chickweed in your lawn.
At first glance, chickweed may resemble other small-leaved groundcover plants, but it has distinct characteristics that set it apart. It is a low-growing weed that forms thick, carpet-like mats across lawns and garden beds. Unlike grasses, which grow upright, chickweed spreads outward, with its thin, sprawling stems creeping along the soil and rooting at nodes where they come into contact with the ground. The leaves of common chickweed are small, oval-shaped, and bright green, growing in opposite pairs along the stem. They are smooth to the touch and slightly pointed at the tip.
The most clean and obvious way to identify chickweed is to find it its small, white flowers, which appear in early spring and continue blooming throughout the growing season. Each flower has five deeply lobed petals, giving it the appearance of having ten petals instead of five. In the scientific name of common chickweed, Stellaria media, “stellaria” is derived from the Latin word for "star," and refers to the shape of chickweed's flowers.
Key Characteristics
There are two main types of chickweed that homeowners commonly encounter: common chickweed (Stellaria media) and mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium fontanum). While they are similar in appearance and behavior, they have some key differences that affect how they should be controlled. Though common chickweed is much more likely to appear in your lawn, it is important to identify the difference between the two for proper treatment.
Common chickweed is a winter annual, meaning it germinates in fall, grows throughout winter, and flowers in early spring. It dies off naturally in hot summer temperatures but leaves behind a large seed bank that can germinate when conditions become favorable again. Mouse-ear chickweed is a perennial, meaning it does not die off after one season but instead continues growing year after year. Its ability to withstand drier conditions makes it more difficult to control, as it won’t naturally die back in summer like common chickweed.
Common chickweed is a winter annual, meaning it germinates in the fall, grows actively during the cool months of winter and early spring, and dies off as summer temperatures rise. Unlike some annual weeds that require specific conditions to reproduce, chickweed is incredibly opportunistic. It thrives in disturbed soils, making it a frequent invader of lawns that have been recently aerated or left with bare patches. Once established, it forms a thick ground cover that competes with grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight, ultimately weakening the lawn.
Chickweed is a very adaptable weed, which allows it to spread easily. Seeds are this weed's primary method of expansion, with a single plant being able to produce between 800 and 30,000 seeds. These seeds fall to the ground and lay dormant until they come into contact with ideal growing conditions. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years, and the weed’s shallow, fibrous root system can easily regenerate new weed growth if even a small fragment of plant matter is present in the soil.
Understanding the conditions that favor chickweed growth can help homeowners prevent infestations before they start. Chickweed thrives in areas where turfgrass is weak, stressed, or struggling to establish itself. Thin or weak grass coverage makes it easier for chickweed to take hold. A well-maintained lawn with thick, healthy grass naturally crowds out weeds, but areas where grass is patchy, diseased, or frequently otherwise compromised provide open space for chickweed to establish itself.
Excessive shade is another major factor that encourages chickweed growth. While some weeds prefer full sun, chickweed thrives in partially shaded or fully shaded areas. Lawns that receive limited sunlight due to tree cover, buildings, or other obstructions are more susceptible to chickweed infestations. Unfortunately, chickweed can also thrive in areas that receive direct morning sunlight (up to 6 hours), so finding the right balance of shade and light to deter chickweed growth, among other challenges, can be difficult.
Other Causes Of Chickweed
As stated above, chickweed can be exceedingly difficult to remove by hand due to its hardy nature and fibrous roots. It is essential to remove the entire root system, as chickweed can regrow from leftover stem fragments. Hand-pulling is most effective when the soil is moist, as this makes it easier to extract the entire plant. For larger infestations, digging up the entire root system is advised in order to avoid the possibility of root fragments being left in the soil.
For stubborn chickweed infestations, post-emergent herbicides are often necessary. Selective weed killers (2,4-D, dicamba, MCPP, or triclopyr) can effectively target chickweed without harming turfgrass. These should be applied during active growth periods, typically in early spring or fall, for the best results. Of course, prevention is always the best approach when it comes to avoiding chickweed problems. The prevention strategies below will be your best options!
If all else fails, contact a professional lawn care company that has experience dealing with chickweed and other broadleaf weeds in your area. Call Pro Outdoor today for information on our weed control services for the Albany, GA area!
