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Dollarweed Moisture-Loving Weed

Hydrocotyle spp.

Dollarweed is a round-leaf broadleaf weed that often shows up in wet, overwatered, or poorly drained lawn areas. It spreads aggressively and can be difficult to control if the moisture problem is not corrected.

Broadleaf WeedPerennialWeed
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Dollarweed

What Dollarweed Looks Like

Dollarweed has bright green, round leaves that look like small lily pads or silver-dollar-sized coins. The leaf stem attaches near the center of the leaf, which helps separate it from some other round-leaf weeds. It often grows in patches and may appear shiny or waxy.

Why It Spreads

Dollarweed thrives in moist soil and is commonly found in overwatered lawns, low areas, compacted soil, and places with poor drainage. It spreads by seed, roots, and creeping stems, allowing it to move through weak or open turf. If the lawn stays too wet, dollarweed often returns even after treatment.

How to Prevent It

The best prevention is correcting the conditions that favor dollarweed. Reduce overwatering, improve drainage, fix low wet spots, and maintain a thick lawn through proper mowing, fertility, and watering. Prevention is not just about herbicide use — moisture management is one of the most important long-term steps.

Best timing: Year-round moisture management, with extra focus before and during warm, wet growing conditions.

How to Control It

Dollarweed is usually controlled with a selective broadleaf weed control product labeled for dollarweed and for your specific lawn type. Best results come when dollarweed is actively growing and the lawn is not under heat, drought, or disease stress. Established patches may need more than one labeled application. Always read and follow the product label.

Best timing: Spring through early fall when dollarweed is actively growing.

Recommended Solution

Step 1: Confirm the weed is dollarweed by looking for round, bright green leaves with the stem attached near the center.

Step 2: Check the area for overwatering, poor drainage, low spots, or compacted soil.

Step 3: Adjust irrigation so the lawn is not staying constantly wet.

Step 4: Choose a selective broadleaf weed control product labeled for dollarweed and your specific lawn type.

Step 5: Treat when dollarweed is actively growing and the lawn is not stressed.

Step 6: Recheck the area after a few weeks. Established patches may require a second labeled application.

Step 7: Improve drainage, mowing, watering, and turf density to help reduce future outbreaks.

Product Recommendations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have dollarweed in my lawn?

Dollarweed usually shows up where the soil stays too wet. Overwatering, poor drainage, low spots, compacted soil, and thin turf can all make dollarweed worse.

Is dollarweed the same as clover?

No. Dollarweed has round leaves that look like small lily pads, while clover usually has three small leaflets. Dollarweed is also more strongly associated with wet lawn areas.

Will dollarweed come back after treatment?

Yes, it can come back if the lawn stays wet or thin. Herbicide treatment can help control existing dollarweed, but fixing watering and drainage issues is important for long-term control.