The key to a healthy lawn is to quickly identify common weeds and make sure that they’re removed or treated quickly. Unfortunately, in the UK, weeds in your lawn is a common occurrence and they can be difficult to control.
However, our handy guide will walk you through some of the most common types of weeds, how you can identify them and the best form of treatment.
What are the most common weeds found in UK lawns and grass?
There are a number of common weeds that can be found in turf and gardens across the UK. The type of weed will depend on the soil, levels of moisture, pests and nutrients that are present. The most common weeds found in the UK are:
- Daisy – Bellis perennis
- Parsley Piert – Aphanes arvensis
- Red Clover – Trifolium pratense
- Greater Plantain – Plantago major
- Creeping Cinquefoil – Potentilla reptans
- Silverweed – Potentilla anserina
- Creeping Thistle – Cirsium arvense
- Scarlet Pimpernel – Anagallis arvensis
- Autumn Hawkbit – Scorzoneroides autumnalis (formerly Leontodon autumnalis)
- Common Ragwort – Jacobaea vulgaris (formerly Senecio jacobaea)
- Broad-leaved Dock – Rumex obtusifolius
- Crowfoot – Ranunculus species (likely Ranunculus acris or similar)
- Moss – Various species, commonly Bryophyta
- Bristly-ox Tongue – Helminthotheca echioides (formerly Picris echioides)
- Horsetail – Equisetum arvense
- Common Sorrel – Rumex acetosa
- Ground Ivy – Glechoma hederacea
- Mayweed – Matricaria species (commonly Matricaria recutita or Tripleurospermum inodorum)
- Dove’s-foot Cranesbill – Geranium molle
- Ribwort Plantain – Plantago lanceolata
- White Clover – Trifolium repens
- Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale
- Creeping Buttercup – Ranunculus repens
- Black Medic – Medicago lupulina
- Bird’s-foot Trefoil – Lotus corniculatus
- Lesser Trefoil – Trifolium dubium
- Yarrow – Achillea millefolium
- Selfheal – Prunella vulgaris
- Slender Speedwell – Veronica filiformis
- Germander Speedwell – Veronica chamaedrys
- Mouse-ear Chickweed – Cerastium fontanum
- Common Chickweed – Stellaria media
- Procumbent Pearlwort – Sagina procumbens
- Cat’s Ear – Hypochaeris radicata
- Buckshorn Plantain – Plantago coronopus
- Knotgrass – Polygonum aviculare
- Lesser Celandine – Ficaria verna (formerly Ranunculus ficaria)
- Goosegrass – Galium aparine
Daisies (Bellis perennis)
Daisies are a common low-growing weed in the UK that typically grow with spoon-shaped leaves and white blooms with yellow centres, often found in gardens and grass.
Botanical Name: Bellis perennis
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Daisies: Daisies often grow with a low rosette, spoon-shaped leaves, white petals with yellow centre.
How to Remove: The most effective way to remove daisy weeds is by hand, accompanied with a well-rounded lawn-safe weed killer.
Common daisy weeds.Parsley Piert (Aphanes arvensis)
Parsley Piert is a delicate low-growing weed with finely divided leaves and tiny greenish florals, thriving in dry, compacted soils.
Botanical Name: Aphanes arvensis
Family: Rosaceae
How to Identify Parsley Piert: Recognisable by its small size, deeply cut leaves, and inconspicuous greenish flowers.
How to Remove: Hand-pulling or using a selective weed killer is effective for controlling parsley piert.
Parsley part weed.Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Red Clover is a nitrogen-fixing weed with trifoliate leaves marked with a white crescent and pink heads, often spreading in turf.
Botanical Name: Trifolium pratense
Family: Fabaceae
How to Identify Red Clover: Look for trifoliate leaves with white markings and rounded pinkish-purple blooms.
How to Remove: Scarify the lawn and apply a selective herbicide to control red clover growth.
Red Clover weed.Greater Plantain (Plantago major)
Greater Plantain is a perennial weed with large oval leaves forming a basal rosette and tall green seed spikes, thriving in compacted soil.
Botanical Name: Plantago major
Family: Plantaginaceae
How to Identify Greater Plantain: Look for large, flat leaves and upright spikes bearing small greenish stems.
How to Remove: Hand-pull or apply a systemic herbicide to control this weed.
Greater Plantain weed.Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans)
Creeping Cinquefoil is a fast-spreading weed with five-lobed leaves and yellow centres, spreading via runners across lawns, turf and paths.
Botanical Name: Potentilla reptans
Family: Rosaceae
How to Identify Creeping Cinquefoil: Notice its distinctive five-lobed leaves and stems with small yellow centres.
How to Remove: Remove runners manually or treat with a targeted herbicide.
Creeping Cinquefoil weed.Silverweed (Potentilla anserina)
Silverweed is a creeping perennial weed with silvery, feathery leaves and yellow centres, often found in damp, compacted soil.
Botanical Name: Potentilla anserina
Family: Rosaceae
How to Identify Silverweed: Silvery leaves are spotted with fine hairs and small bright yellow blooms.
How to Remove: Manually dig out plants or apply spot treatment with herbicide.
Silverweed.Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Creeping Thistle is a spiny-leaved perennial with purple heads, spreading aggressively via underground roots.
Botanical Name: Cirsium arvense
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Creeping Thistle: Recognisable by its spiny leaves and upright stems topped with purple heads.
How to Remove: Cut before blossoming and use a systemic herbicide for effective control.
Creeping Thistle.Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis)
Scarlet Pimpernel is a low-growing annual with square stems and bright orange-red heads, commonly found in turf and raised beds.
Botanical Name: Anagallis arvensis
Family: Primulaceae
How to Identify Scarlet Pimpernel: Notice its bright orange head and creeping growth habit.
How to Remove: Remove manually or treat with a suitable herbicide.
Scarlet Pimpernel weed.Autumn Hawkbit (Scorzoneroides autumnalis)
Autumn Hawkbit is a dandelion-like weed with yellow heads and smooth, hairless stems, commonly found in grass and turf.
Botanical Name: Scorzoneroides autumnalis
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Autumn Hawkbit: Look for yellow heads similar to dandelions and hairless, slender stems.
How to Remove: Regular mowing and applying a selective herbicide can help control its spread.
Autumn Hawkbit weed.Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)
Common Ragwort is a toxic weed with bright yellow blooming clusters and finely divided leaves, often found in disturbed soils.
Botanical Name: Jacobaea vulgaris
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Common Ragwort: Bright yellow heads and feathery leaves are distinctive features.
How to Remove: Dig out the roots and dispose of carefully; herbicides can be used for larger infestations.
Common Ragwort weed.Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
Broad-leaved Dock is a large weed with broad leaves and tall reddish stems, thriving in disturbed or nutrient-rich soils.
Botanical Name: Rumex obtusifolius
Family: Polygonaceae
How to Identify Broad-leaved Dock: Look for its large, oval leaves and prominent reddish stems.
How to Remove: Dig out roots deeply or use a spot treatment herbicide.
Broad-leaved Dock weed.Crowfoot (Ranunculus spp.)
Crowfoot is a general name for a variety of yellow-flowered weeds with lobed leaves, often found in damp or poorly drained areas.
Botanical Name: Ranunculus spp.
Family: Ranunculaceae
How to Identify Crowfoot: Recognisable by its bright yellow colour and deeply divided, lobed leaves.
How to Remove: Improve drainage and use a targeted herbicide if necessary.
Crowfoot weed.Moss (Bryophyta spp.)
Moss forms dense green or yellow patches in shaded, compacted, or damp areas, outcompeting grass.
Botanical Name: Bryophyta spp.
Family: Bryophyta
How to Identify Moss: Dense, cushion-like growth and thrives in poor lawn and turf conditions.
How to Remove: Aerate the lawn, improve drainage, and apply moss killer products.
Garden moss.Bristly-ox Tongue (Helminthotheca echioides)
Bristly-ox Tongue is a rough-leaved plant with bristly stems and yellow heads, thriving in bare, compacted soils.
Botanical Name: Helminthotheca echioides
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Bristly-ox Tongue: Look for rough, bristly leaves and yellow daisy-like heads.
How to Remove: Hand-pulling or applying a selective herbicide is effective.
Bristly-ox Tongue.Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Horsetail is an ancient weed with jointed, brush-like stems that spreads aggressively via underground rhizomes.
Botanical Name: Equisetum arvense
Family: Equisetaceae
How to Identify Horsetail: Notice its upright, jointed stems resembling a bottlebrush.
How to Remove: Deep digging and repeated application of systemic herbicide are required.
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Common Sorrel is a weed with arrow-shaped leaves and reddish-green in colour, thriving in acidic, nutrient-poor soils.
Botanical Name: Rumex acetosa
Family: Polygonaceae
How to Identify Common Sorrel: Recognisable by its arrowhead-shaped leaves and red-tinged petals.
How to Remove: Improve soil conditions and use a herbicide if necessary.
Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
Ground Ivy is a common weed with kidney-shaped leaves and small purple blooms, spreading via stolons.
Botanical Name: Glechoma hederacea
Family: Lamiaceae
How to Identify Ground Ivy: Look for creeping growth, scalloped leaves, and small purple petals.
How to Remove: Pull out by hand or apply a selective herbicide.
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)Mayweed (Matricaria )
Mayweed is a daisy-like annual weed with finely divided leaves and white petals with yellow centres, common in disturbed soils.
Botanical Name: Matricaria spp.
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Mayweed: Small white daisy-like and feathery, with divided leaves.
How to Remove: Hand-pulling or using a selective herbicide is effective.
MayweedDove’s-foot Cranesbill (Geranium molle)
Dove’s-foot Cranesbill is a low-growing weed with rounded, lobed leaves and small pink petals, often found in lawns and borders.
Botanical Name: Geranium molle
Family: Geraniaceae
How to Identify Dove’s-foot Cranesbill: Notice its small, rounded lobed leaves and pink petals.
How to Remove: Regular mowing and applying a selective herbicide can help control it.
Dove’s-foot Cranesbill (Geranium molle)Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Ribwort Plantain is a common perennial weed found with narrow, ribbed leaves and tall seed spikes, thriving in compacted or nutrient-poor soil.
Botanical Name: Plantago lanceolata
Family: Plantaginaceae
How to Identify Ribwort Plantain: Recognisable by its narrow, ribbed leaves and distinctive tall brown seed spikes.
How to Remove: Hand-pulling or applying a systemic herbicide is effective.
Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)White Clover (Trifolium repens)
White Clover is a perennial with trifoliate leaves and white heads, often appearing in nutrient-rich or poorly maintained lawns.
Botanical Name: Trifolium repens
Family: Fabaceae
How to Identify White Clover: Look for three-lobed leaves and clusters of small white heads.
How to Remove: Improve lawn care and apply a suitable selective herbicide.
White Clover (Trifolium repens)Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelion is a one of the most common types of deep-rooted perennials, bright yellow in colour with fluffy seeded heads, commonly found when they invade lawns and turf.
Botanical Name: Taraxacum officinale
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Dandelion: Bright yellow heads and deep taproot, along with its fluffy seeded faces.
How to Remove: Hand-digging or using a spot weed killer is effective for dandelions.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
Creeping Buttercup is a low-growing weed with stems, yellow blooms, and deeply lobed leaves.
Botanical Name: Ranunculus repens
Family: Ranunculaceae
How to Identify Creeping Buttercup: Yellow in colour, deeply divided leaves, and green stems.
How to Remove: Improve lawn drainage and use a selective herbicide for control.
Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)
Black Medic is a small annual weed with trifoliate leaves and small yellow petals, commonly found in compacted soils.
Botanical Name: Medicago lupulina
Family: Fabaceae
How to Identify Black Medic: Trifoliate leaves, small and yellow in colour with a creeping growth habit.
How to Remove: Scarify the lawn and apply a suitable weed killer.
Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
Bird’s-foot Trefoil is a creeping or low-growing legume with trifoliate leaves and yellow-orange colours, often found in grassland.
Botanical Name: Lotus corniculatus
Family: Fabaceae
How to Identify Bird’s-foot Trefoil: Recognisable by its yellow-orange bloom and bird’s-foot-like seed pods.
How to Remove: Regular mowing and herbicide application can help control its spread.
Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium)
Lesser Trefoil is a small, fast-spreading annual garden weed with trifoliate leaves and yellow colours, often found in lawns.
Botanical Name: Trifolium dubium
Family: Fabaceae
How to Identify Lesser Trefoil: Look for small, clover-like trifoliate leaves and small yellow flowers.
How to Remove: Scarify the lawn and use a selective herbicide.
Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium)Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a perennial with fern-like leaves and clusters of small white blooms, often growing in nutrient-poor soil.
Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Yarrow: Fern-like leaves and dense clusters of small white heads which are characteristic.
How to Remove: Improve soil conditions and apply a herbicide if necessary.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
Selfheal is a creeping perennial with purple flowers and oval leaves, commonly found in poorly maintained lawns.
Botanical Name: Prunella vulgaris
Family: Lamiaceae
How to Identify Selfheal: Look for purple flower spikes and creeping growth habit.
How to Remove: Hand-pull or use a suitable selective herbicide.
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)Slender Speedwell (Veronica filiformis)
Slender Speedwell is a creeping weed with small blue flowers and a spreading growth habit, often forming mats in lawns.
Botanical Name: Veronica filiformis
Family: Plantaginaceae
How to Identify Slender Speedwell: Notice its delicate, small blue flowers and low-growing stems.
How to Remove: Scarify the lawn and apply a selective herbicide.
Slender Speedwell (Veronica filiformis)Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
Germander Speedwell is a low-growing perennial with bright blue flowers, spreading through lawns and shaded areas.
Botanical Name: Veronica chamaedrys
Family: Plantaginaceae
How to Identify Germander Speedwell: Bright blue flowers with white centres and stems.
How to Remove: Hand-pulling or selective herbicide can control it.
Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum)
Mouse-ear Chickweed is a weed with hairy leaves and small white blooms, often forming clumps in turf.
Botanical Name: Cerastium fontanum
Family: Caryophyllaceae
How to Identify Mouse-ear Chickweed: Look for small, oval, hairy leaves and star-like white heads.
How to Remove: Regular mowing and herbicide application can manage it.
Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum)Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Common Chickweed is a fast-growing annual with small white star-like flowers and bright green leaves, thriving in damp soils.
Botanical Name: Stellaria media
Family: Caryophyllaceae
How to Identify Common Chickweed: Small, star-like white blooms and oval leaves.
How to Remove: Hand-pulling or applying a selective herbicide.
Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)Procumbent Pearlwort (Sagina procumbens)
Procumbent Pearlwort is a mat-forming weed with tiny green leaves and small white flowers, often mistaken for moss.
Botanical Name: Sagina procumbens
Family: Caryophyllaceae
How to Identify Procumbent Pearlwort: Dense, moss-like growth with tiny white flowers.
How to Remove: Scarify the lawn and use a targeted herbicide.
Procumbent Pearlwort (Sagina procumbens)Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
Cat’s Ear is a dandelion-like perennial with yellow flowers and hairy, toothed leaves, common in lawns and meadows.
Botanical Name: Hypochaeris radicata
Family: Asteraceae
How to Identify Cat’s Ear: Bright yellow flowers and hairy leaves with deep lobes.
How to Remove: Hand-pulling or using a spot weed killer.
Cats Ear (Hypochaeris Radicata)Buckshorn Plantain (Plantago coronopus)
Buckshorn Plantain is a low-growing perennial with narrow, toothed leaves forming a rosette, often found in compacted soils.
Botanical Name: Plantago coronopus
Family: Plantaginaceae
How to Identify Buckshorn Plantain: Look for narrow, toothed leaves and a spreading growth habit.
How to Remove: Hand-pulling or applying a systemic herbicide.
Buckshorn Plantain (Plantago coronopus)Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare)
Knotgrass is a prostrate annual weed with wiry stems and small, oval leaves, thriving in paths and bare ground.
Botanical Name: Polygonum aviculare
Family: Polygonaceae
How to Identify Knotgrass: Sprawling stems with small oval leaves and tiny greenish flowers.
How to Remove: Improve soil quality and apply a selective herbicide.
Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare)Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)
Lesser Celandine is glossy, has heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow centres, thriving in damp soils.
Botanical Name: Ficaria verna
Family: Ranunculaceae
How to Identify Lesser Celandine: Notice its shiny leaves and yellow star-like flowers.
How to Remove: Dig out tubers or use a targeted herbicide.
Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)Goosegrass (Galium aparine)
Goosegrass is a clinging annual weed with whorled leaves and sticky stems, often found in hedgerows and disturbed soils.
Botanical Name: Galium aparine
Family: Rubiaceae
How to Identify Goosegrass: Sticky, clinging stems with whorled leaves and small white flowers.
How to Remove: Pull manually or apply a selective herbicide.
Goosegrass (Galium aparine) 
