Common Weeds Found in Lawns and How to Beat ’Em!

Common Lawn Weeds in Australia

Here’s a list of common weeds found in lawns in Australia, identifying them makes it easier to choose the right control method.

Clover

Clover grows low and spreads quickly, forming dense patches with small, rounded leaves. It often thrives in lawns with poor nitrogen levels.

Bindii (Jo-Jo)

Bindii is notorious for its painful seed heads that dig into bare feet. It typically grows as a small, flat weed with fine leaves and spreads in warm, dry weather.

Winter Grass

This cool-season grass weed pops up in shaded or damp areas. Its pale green colour stands out and produces seed heads even after a fresh mow.

Oxalis & Soursob

Oxalis has clover-like leaves with small yellow flowers and spreads by seed and bulb. Soursob is more aggressive and often reshoots even after removal.

Nutgrass & Mullumbimby Couch

Nutgrass stands out with its tall, thin stalks and triangle-shaped stems. Mullumbimby Couch prefers moist soils and spreads through underground runners.

Crabgrass / Crowsfoot Grass

These weeds form flat, spreading mats and thrive in hot, dry conditions.

Chickweed

Chickweed is soft, shallow-rooted and grows in cool, shaded spots. It spreads rapidly and forms thick, low-growing mats.

Onion Weed

Onion weed has slender green leaves and small white flowers, with a strong garlic-like smell when crushed. It spreads through underground bulbs and is hard to kill without digging deep.

Summer Grass

This annual weed appears in warmer months and forms clumps with broad leaves. It spreads by seed and loves thin, dry lawns.

Paspalum

Paspalum grows in clumps with wide, coarse leaves and sticky seed heads. It thrives in poor soil and is tough to remove without a targeted herbicide.

Spurge (Red Caustic Weed)

Spurge sits low to the ground and oozes a milky sap when damaged. It spreads fast in dry, compacted lawns.

Khaki Weed

Khaki Weed has reddish stems and spiky burrs that cling to clothing and pets. It loves high-traffic areas and quickly takes over neglected spots.

Creeping Charlie

This vine-like weed grows low and spreads through creeping stems. It often invades damp, shady lawns and can be difficult to control once established.

Capeweed

Capeweed features broad, hairy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. It’s a strong competitor and thrives in disturbed soils.

Common Daisy

This weed forms rosettes with white-petaled flowers and yellow centres. It grows low and adapts to most soil types, especially in moist areas.

Fleabane

Fleabane grows upright with narrow leaves and fuzzy white or pink flowers. It quickly dominates open patches and produces masses of wind-borne seeds.

Plantain

Plantain has broad, ribbed leaves and a strong central taproot. It tolerates compacted soil and survives mowing, making it hard to remove by hand.

Trad (Wandering Jew)

This weed spreads fast with glossy leaves and stems that root easily along the soil surface. It thrives in shaded, moist areas and regrows fast after cutting.

Dandelion

Dandelions are easy to spot with their bright yellow flowers and fluffy seed heads. They have deep taproots and are tough to pull out cleanly.

Mallow

Mallow grows upright with round, crinkled leaves and pale pink to purple flowers. It spreads in dry conditions and stores water in its fleshy stems.

Purslane

Purslane is a succulent weed with reddish stems and tiny yellow flowers. It hugs the ground, survives drought and spreads through seeds and stem fragments.

How to Remove a Weed in the Lawn

Different weeds call for different strategies and not all lawns respond the same way. These methods focus on how to deal with the common weeds found in lawns and prevent them from regrowing.

Use Herbicides

Spot treatments work for small patches. For full-lawn issues, a selective herbicide may be needed. Check that it suits your grass type and apply only as directed.

Remove Weeds Manually

Some weeds are easier to pull than others. Use a weeding fork to lift out the roots. This works best with larger weeds like dandelions or broadleaf types.

Maintain Your Lawn Properly

Weeds love bare patches. Mow to the right height and water your lawn at the right time every season. A healthy lawn doesn’t give weeds space to settle.

Call in a Professional

If it feels like a losing battle and you’d like to start over fresh, contact MRN Excavations.

Book Professional Lawn Landscaping with MRN Excavations

Weeds are quick to spread, but the right approach can keep them under control. Protect your yard from common lawn weeds in Australia with help from the experts. MRN Excavations offers professional lawn landscaping in Wollongong and Campbelltown to establish a lawn the right way from the get-go.