Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
What does the weed henbit look like?
Late winter or early spring is when you’ll spot this non-native annual weed. Several square stems grow from the base and reach 4 to 16 inches tall or more in rich soil. Henbit's leaves are opposite, coarsely toothed and rounded.
Near the top, these leaves wrap around the stem. While this pest looks similar to creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), these clasping leaves on upright stems are the best way to tell the difference. Early to midspring tubular flowers are pink to pale purple and clustered at the tops of the stem.
Where to find henbit
Henbit prefers full sun to part shade and average to rich soil. It’s happiest in open areas that are only occasionally cultivated, such as shrub or perennial borders. You may also find it in thin lawns.
How to control henbit
A shallow taproot with fine side roots makes henbit an easy weed to pull. While stems can root where they touch the soil, henbit mainly spreads by seed. Remove them before they set seeds, as one plant can produce 200 seeds that may remain viable in the ground for up to 5 years.
Pre-emergents applied in late fall or early spring will keep them from germinating. If you find henbit in your lawn, fertilize and set the mower higher. This weed can’t tolerate the competition.
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