What Doveweed Looks Like
Doveweed often looks grassy when it first appears, which makes it easy to overlook. As it matures, it forms thick, creeping stems that spread across the soil surface. The leaves are narrow and somewhat grass-like, and small purple to bluish-purple flowers may appear during the growing season.
Why It Spreads
Doveweed thrives in warm, moist conditions and is common in overwatered lawns, low areas, compacted soil, and thin turf. It spreads by seed and creeping stems, allowing it to move quickly through weak areas of the lawn. Frequent irrigation and poor drainage can make doveweed much worse.
How to Prevent It
The best prevention is reducing the wet, open conditions that favor doveweed. Avoid overwatering, improve drainage, correct compacted soil, and maintain a thick lawn with proper mowing and fertilization. A labeled pre-emergent program may help reduce doveweed pressure, but timing and product label directions are important.
Best timing: Spring before summer annual weeds germinate, plus moisture management throughout the growing season.
How to Control It
Doveweed can be difficult to control once established. Use only a selective herbicide labeled for doveweed and for your specific lawn type. Treat when plants are young and actively growing, and expect that multiple labeled applications may be needed. Always read and follow the product label.
Best timing: Late spring through summer when doveweed is young, visible, and actively growing.
Recommended Solution
Step 1: Confirm the weed is doveweed by looking for grass-like leaves, thick creeping stems, and small purple flowers.
Step 2: Check the area for overwatering, poor drainage, compacted soil, or thin turf.
Step 3: Reduce irrigation if the lawn is staying too wet.
Step 4: Choose a weed control product labeled for doveweed and your specific turfgrass.
Step 5: Treat young, actively growing doveweed before it forms large mats.
Step 6: Recheck the area after treatment. Established doveweed often requires more than one labeled application.
Step 7: Improve turf density with proper mowing, fertilization, watering, drainage, and lawn repair where needed.
