How To Get Rid Of Broadleaf Plantain
Broadleaf plantain is a pesky lawn weed that can be difficult to get rid of. Therefore, it's essential to identify and inspect for broadleaf plantain before taking steps to control and eliminate it. This guide will thoroughly discuss how to control and get rid of broadleaf plantain. We will also explain how to prevent it from coming back.
Key Takeaways
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Broadleaf plantain is a perennial with broad green, lance-shaped leaves and a stubby, thick taproot.
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It grows in compacted soil and places like sidewalks, parks, and even roadsides.
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You can control this weed with selective and non-selective herbicides.
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Prevent broadleaf plantain by keeping a dense and healthy lawn that will crowd out weeds.
Broadleaf Plantain Identification And Inspection
Characteristics Of Broadleaf Plantain
Broadleaf plantain (plantago major) is a perennial weed that features a basal rosette of oval leaves. In most cases, the leaf stalks are less than 12 inches long. You'll find broadleaf plantain flowers in the summer months.
The flower spikes have flowers and seeds that form along their length. This is an important distinction as another weed, broadleaf buckhorn plantain (plantago lanceolata), has seeds and flowers that form just at the top of the flower stalks.
Broadleaf plantain is native to Europe and Asia, but you can now find it throughout North America. It's a very common weed in lawns, gardens, and disturbed areas such as construction sites.
While it generally doesn’t constitute a serious weed problem, it can be challenging to control due to its root system, which features a thick and sturdy taproot. If you're trying to get rid of broadleaf plantain in your garden, pull up the plants by hand or use a selective herbicide that targets perennial weeds.
Broadleaf Plantain Inspection
Broadleaf plantain thrives in compacted soil and is a common broadleaf weed that you can find along roadsides, cracks in the sidewalk, and grassy areas that are poorly maintained. This makes it a common problem in areas that see high foot traffic. You can inspect your lawn for broadleaf plantain by looking for the weeds in areas that receive the most traffic.
It can grow in sunny or shady areas, but prefers a moist, shaded section of grass. It competes with other plants, including your turfgrass, for nutrients. To inspect your lawn for broadleaf plantain, look for areas of the yard that are dense and have a deep green color.
The leaves of the plantain are large and glossy, and the flowers are tiny and white. The broadleaf plantain competes with other plants, including your turfgrass, for nutrients.
Control Broadleaf Plantain
How To Get Rid Of Broadleaf Plantain
PPE, or personal protective equipment, is a must when handling herbicides. This includes long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, shoes, plus socks. PPE protects you from possible skin irritation, injury, and poisoning. You should always have PPE when applying an herbicide to kill broadleaf plantain weeds.
It is generally best to wait until the plantain weeds are actively growing before applying any herbicide. For most lawns, this is early spring or late fall. Broadleaf plantains are difficult to control once they have flowered and gone to seed, so it is important to act quickly at the first sign of them.
View our safe products for your specific variety of grass:
Broadleaf Plantain Selective Herbicide Recommendations
Prime Source Triclopyr 4E Select: This excellent weed killer uses Triclopyr 61.6% to quickly eliminate broadleaf weeds like broadleaf plantain.
2,4-D Amine: This wide-range selective herbicide controls broadleaf weeds only and can be used in most lawns, with the exception of St. Augustine and a few other types of grass. We advise consulting the label for a complete list of safe grasses and target weeds.
Trimec Southern Herbicide: 2,4-D, Dicamba, and MCPP active ingredients are combined to create a highly effective broadleaf herbicide. It's excellent for southern grasses that are sensitive. Consult the label to ensure safety for your grass variety.
Non-Selective Herbicide Recommendations
Unless you need to cover a large area that is primarily weeds, we recommend using a selective herbicide since non-selectives can, unfortunately, act as potent grass killers. However, when you need to spot-treat certain areas for broadleaf plantain and other weeds, a non-selective herbicide may be more effective.
One of our most popular and well-reviewed non-selective herbicides is listed here:
Eraser 41% Weed Killer Herbicide: This weed killer is the ultimate non-selective, broad-spectrum herbicide for annual and perennial weeds, trees, and woody brush. It works as a post-emergent with zero residual activity in the soil.
Broadleaf Plantain Prevention
Once you've thoroughly removed and eliminated broadleaf plantain from your lawn, you'll want to take steps to prevent it from coming back. This includes practicing proper lawn care, like mowing at the right height, watering deeply and infrequently, and fertilizing regularly.
You should also aerate your lawn yearly to improve drainage and reduce compaction. In addition, you can use a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent broadleaf plantain and other weeds from germinating.
Recommended Broadleaf Plantain Prevention Products
Because this weed is perennial, pre-emergents may not be quite as effective. Do-It-Yourself Pest Control suggests applying these herbicides multiple times during the fall months. Search for the active ingredients dithiopyr and indaziflam for the most effective preventative herbicides.
Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Can Help You Eliminate Broadleaf Plantains
DIY Pest Control is here to help you rid your lawn of broadleaf plantains and prevent them from returning. Our wide selection of herbicides will help you find the best product for your lawn. Give us a call or visit our learning center to learn more about how we can help you achieve a healthy, weed-free lawn.
If you have questions about broadleaf plantains or lawn care in general, our team of experts is here to help. Our lawn care experts have years of experience and are eager to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call at 1-800-476-3368 or contact us online. We're happy to help you achieve a healthy, weed-free lawn!