Weeds in Texas | Spot 13 Different Types of Weeds in your Garden With Pictures

It may not be easy to manage a good lawn in Texas. Because of the vulnerability of lawns due to dry, hot summers and freezing winters, weeds can easily take over any area.

Weeds can be annoying and notorious. They will swiftly spread and take over your lawn if they start to grow. Additionally, weeds draw insects and diseases into gardens. But you’re not the only Texian dealing with weeds to your relief. But, what can you do to stop them?

Of course, you must implement efficient control strategies, even if you occasionally think it is a hopeless cause. Weeds simply keep returning.

However, if you can identify the right weed at the right time, you can control them in Texas. Let us inform you that any weed control effort is purely speculative without accurate weed identification. That’s because various weeds may call for various methods of control.

So let’s explore the varieties of garden weeds frequently found in and around Texas.

13 Common Weeds to be Found in Texas

Summers in Texas may get very hot and nasty. Depending on where you stay, you may anticipate daily highs of between 85 and 90 degrees. Indeed, it is swelteringly hot. We are sure this season will make you uncomfortable, but weeds enjoy it. As a result, garden weeds are frequently seen in Texas, necessitating writing a piece on these troublesome and generally unwanted plants.

So here it is—our post on Texas’s most frequently encountered garden weeds. If you have a garden, this post can help you recognize the kind of weeds that might be growing there.

1. Dandelion

Identification	Long, vivid yellow blooms with “puffball” seed carriers
Structure	Leafless stems of different lengths
Controlling Tips	Post-emergent, selective, liquid weed control

Our first take is on dandelion– one of Texas’s most frequently found weeds. Dandelions may grow anywhere, barring desert regions, up to an altitude of around 11,000 feet. Dandelions may not be the plants you want in your yard, but they have a variety of uses, including feeding pollinators and being used medicinally.

This weed will most likely appear in your yard from April to June. Due to their large tap roots, dandelions vegetatively reproduce and disperse their seeds by the wind. So it could be difficult to uproot them and remove them.

2. Crabgrass

Identification	Light green, flat leaves point outward
Structure	A sizable mat or cluster with branching stems
Controlling Tips	Selective pre-emergent and post-emergent crabgrass killer

One of the grasses that may thrive in challenging environments is crabgrass. These hardy weeds can give sleepless nights to homeowners. That said, smooth crabgrass and Hairy crabgrass are two varieties of annual crabgrass found in North Texas. 

Early to mid-spring, crabgrass tends to emerge in lawns, quickly multiplying to take over the entire lawn. Remember that crabgrass grows faster than any other turfgrass and only requires sunlight to flourish. Preventing crabgrass from producing seeds will help control its spread and keep it from emerging on your lawn yearly.

3. Common Chickweed

Identification	Broad oval pointed smooth leaves and star-shaped white blossoms
Structure	Low growing
Controlling Tips	Mulching and the application of pre-emergence herbicide in early spring

Although chickweed is widespread in Texas and other US states, its annual nature makes it simpler to eliminate. The likelihood that this weed to repeatedly take over your lawn will be reduced if you can completely remove it from your garden one time. 

Be cautious, though; if left untreated, chickweed can generate up to 800 seeds and require up to 8 years to entirely disappear. However, chickweed will struggle to survive if you cultivate dense and robust vegetation.

4. Creeping Charlie

Identification	Long stems and creeping at a low height
Structure	Creeping
Controlling Tips	Post-emergence broadleaf herbicide. Hand weeding can be done during the initial growth stage.

One of the troublesome weeds, creeping charlie, spreads quickly and is difficult to contain once it gets going. This weed, known as ground ivy, typically spreads via stems, roots, and leaves. 

Creeping charlie is robust, creeping, hardy, and resistant enough to survive in practically any environment. 

They reproduce and quickly take over the entire region. If left unchecked, ground ivy will continue to grow and cover the ground with a thick mat, killing anything that gets in its way.

5. Clover

Identification	3 dark leaflets and white blossoms
Structure	Low-growing, creeping stems with nodal roots
Controlling Tips	Mulching, uprooting, and the application of herbicides

The leaves of four-leaf clovers are considered lucky. However, you can go to the unfortunate side if your yard has clover. We say this because clover is an invasive weed that spreads quickly in damp environments and even in nutrient barren soil.

In order to get to the spot, healthy grass can be entirely destroyed by clover. Additionally, this weed can make your lawn appear much wilder and untidier. However, you can grow clover if your soil is weak and your lawn lacks good grass or vegetation. Why? Because clover has microorganisms that fix nitrogen in the roots, which can enrich the soil naturally.

6. Thistle

Although thistles’ violet blossoms may be attractive, they can be actual eye sores. Thistles are persistent weeds that spread fast, and their sharp leaves can make your yard look unappealing.

Also, keep in mind that this plant’s shard leaves might be painful. However, the good news is that getting rid of the thistle is simple, albeit hiring a pro is strongly advised. If your lawn does include a few thistles, you can try hand removing or shoveling the entire plant.

Identification	A cluster of spikey stems that can grow up to 4 feet and large purple blooms
Structure	A dense cluster of sharp leaves
Controlling Tips	Hand or shovel weeding if the spread is low. But call a professional if the invasion is serious.

Although thistles’ violet blossoms may be attractive, they can be actual eye sores. Thistles are persistent weeds that spread fast, and their sharp leaves can make your yard look unappealing. 

Also, keep in mind that this plant’s shard leaves might be painful. However, the good news is that getting rid of the thistle is simple, albeit hiring a pro is strongly advised. If your lawn does include a few thistles, you can try hand removing or shoveling the entire plant.

7. Henbit

Identification	Purple flowers and egg-shaped leaves
Structure	Grown tall up to 16”
Controlling Tips	Pre-emergence herbicides in early spring and post-emergence herbicides after eliminating them.

A cool-season annual herbaceous weed is henbit. This weed will appear in your yard in the early fall and continue to grow through the winter and spring. Henbit, which has a shallow root structure, proliferated vigorously in north and central Texas during the off-season. 

Henbit typically flowers in spring. So, if you can eradicate this weed before it blooms, you do not have to spend sleepless nights all through the summer months. Henbit spread can be effectively controlled by applying pre-emergent weed control throughout the autumn, winter, and early spring. Post-emergence herbicides can also prove beneficial.

8. Wild Violets

Identification	Small pansy-like flowers in purple, violet, lilac, and white
Structure	Tall growing, creepy stems with nodal roots
Controlling Tips	Hand weeding and the application of herbicides

Let’s concede that wild violets’ violet flowers are attractive. But don’t be fooled by their appealing appearance; they can be hardy weeds that are challenging to eradicate. These plants frequently return yearly and easily disperse by their roots and seeds. As a result, they can readily infiltrate your flower beds and are unfriendly and obtrusive. The best methods for getting rid of this weed are by hand pulling or applying herbicides. Read this post to learn more about wild violets and other weeds with purple flowers.

9. Foxtail

Identification	Grass blades with flower spikes that range ‌from three to ten inches on stalks.
Structure	Grow tall, up to 10”, features a hardened tip and retrorse barbs.
Controlling Tips	Application of a strong herbicide

Although foxtail grass is often an annual, there is also a perennial type. Foxtail spreads quickly and has a lot of seeds per plant. As a result, foxtail grass may take over even the most unexpected area of your lawn if it is not kept under control. 

Additionally, this weed harms humans and animals, such as cats and dogs. The worst part is that this grass’s seeds can cause significant infection since they are difficult to remove if they become lodged in the skin. 

So, if you have foxtail on your lawn, keep yourself and your pets out of the yard until the weed is pulled up. If the invasion is not nasty, hand-pulling foxtails can be a simple fix.

10. Nutsedge

Identification	Long and narrow leaves and brush-like flowers. V-shaped side profile of the leaves.
Structure	Branching upward from the center
Controlling Tips	Spray herbicides at the plant’s roots. To keep nutsedge from sprouting, overseed bare spots. With a bad invasion, call the professionals.

Nutsedge or nutgrass is a perennial weed that grows well in dry soils and spreads out more quickly than turfgrass. There are two different varieties of nutsedge: yellow and purple. One of the worse things about nutsedge is that it can really tough to distinguish it from other turfgrass until it matures. 

This plant spreads through root systems and airborne seeds, making it challenging to get rid of once it matures. It’s better to leave this weed management to the experts because it can be extremely difficult to accomplish.

Also Read: Weeds in NJ: Identify the 12 Commons Weeds in New Jersey With Pictures

11. Poison Ivy

Identification	Three leaflets with a glossy or dull surface
Structure	Vines as well as shrubs
Controlling Tips	Applying glyphosate is the best and fastest way to kill poison ivy.

Poison ivy is worse than ground ivy in terms of toxicity. In Texas, poison ivy is well known and notorious for eliciting allergic reactions that can be unpleasant. As the name implies, the greatest thing to do for a secure and healthy garden is to keep this weed out of it. 

This plant has a cluster of three leaves, which makes it easy to identify. It grows as a vine or a shrub (see the image above). Poison ivy’s component urushiol can adhere to human skin and cause irritating rashes. 

Additionally, it will help if you exercise caution and never burn any wood that has come into touch with poison ivy. Finally, it is critical to remember that urushiol can be inhaled once it becomes airborne, leading to mouth and throat infections.

12. Pokeweed

Identification	Large green leaves and small berry-like fruits
Structure	Tall and erect
Controlling Tips	Spray glyphosate directly onto the plant’s leaves.

Pokeweed is another weed that needs to be avoided. This weed is indigenous to the eastern United States and grows outrageously quickly. However, this weed is commonly found in Texas next to open pastures, fencerows, and other disturbed areas.

To recognize pokeweeds, keep an eye out for their large, green leaves and little, berry-like fruits (especially in the fall). However, if you initially struggle to recognize this weed, you will eventually be able to because of its incredibly tall height. But why should one be wary of pokeweed? Because this weed is harmful in all its parts.

Also, avoid being fooled by the berries because they also contain poison. Finally, keep pets away from pokeweeds since eating the plant’s berries might make them sick.

13. Bull Nettles

Identification	Sharply angled stems with bristly pubescent stinging hairs
Structure	Tall and erect, growing up to 3 feet
Controlling Tips	Use a glyphosate-containing herbicide consistently. Seedlings can also be successfully pulled out by hand or by hoeing. But be sure to wear safety gloves to avoid being pricked by the plant’s stinging hairs.

Native, drought-resistant weeds, Texas bull nettles are also known as Maja Mujer. The nettles have chemically-filled needles that have a vicious appearance (as seen in the image above). If you unintentionally brush up against this plant, expect to suffer from excruciating scorching for at least an hour. 

The good news is that bull nettles do not spread quickly. But if not contained, they grow into sizable colonies and spread slowly via rhizomes. Bull nettles can be found in meadows, orchards, vacant lots, ditches, and other places.

But there is a flip side as well. Bull nettles can be used as food, manure, and natural medicines if you know how to manage them well. Beneficial insects also use this otherwise poisonous weed as a food source and a place to live.

FAQs

The Takeaway

So, this was our take on the common garden weeds found in Texas. Although we did not include every weed that may be found in Texas, we did mention the most typical ones. Since you are reading about weeds, we believe you want to arm yourself with excellent weed eradication advice.

Therefore, we want to emphasize that you should start early regardless of your chosen controlling strategy. Once the weeds produce seeds, it becomes exceedingly difficult to eradicate them totally. Hence, take action to remove weeds before they may mature and bloom.