The top 5 weeds that take over Phoenix lawns
Keeping a healthy lawn in Phoenix is already a challenge with scorching summers, dry air, and alkaline soils. But even with the best turf management practices, weeds are a constant battle. These aggressive plants compete with grass for water, nutrients, and sunlight. In Arizona’s climate, they often win if left unchecked.
Here’s a look at the top five weeds that take over Phoenix lawns and how to control them before they ruin your curb appeal.
Why Weeds Are a Big Problem in Phoenix
Weeds don’t just make a lawn look neglected — they cause real damage:
- Water competition: Weeds steal precious water from turf and ornamentals.
- Soil disruption: Aggressive root systems compact soil and crowd out grass.
- Pest attraction: Some weeds provide habitat for insects that damage turf.
- Reduced property value: A weedy lawn signals poor maintenance to buyers and neighbors.
Effective weed control in Phoenix requires both prevention and treatment tailored to the desert climate.
The Top 5 Phoenix Lawn Weeds
1. Nutgrass (Nutsedge)
- Appearance: Grass-like weed with shiny, upright leaves and triangular stems.
- Problem: Spreads quickly through underground tubers (nutlets) and thrives in moist areas of overwatered lawns.
- Control:
- Avoid overwatering and fix drainage issues.
- Use selective herbicides designed for nutsedge.
- Persistence is key — nutlets can survive for years in soil.
- Avoid overwatering and fix drainage issues.
2. Spurge
- Appearance: Low-growing, mat-like weed with reddish stems and tiny leaves. Produces milky sap when broken.
- Problem: Grows rapidly in compacted soil and bare spots; spreads by thousands of tiny seeds.
- Control:
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide in spring to stop germination.
- Pull by hand before it seeds (wear gloves due to sap).
- Improve turf density to reduce bare spots.
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide in spring to stop germination.
3. Crabgrass
- Appearance: Coarse, sprawling grass with wide blades that spreads outward like a starburst.
- Problem: Thrives in summer heat and quickly overtakes weak Bermuda lawns.
- Control:
- Apply pre-emergent in late winter/early spring before germination.
- Keep turf thick and healthy to outcompete crabgrass.
- Post-emergent herbicides may help but work best on young plants.
- Apply pre-emergent in late winter/early spring before germination.
4. Dandelion
- Appearance: Bright yellow flowers and fluffy seed heads with deep taproots.
- Problem: Seeds spread easily in the wind, and deep roots make them difficult to remove.
- Control:
- Hand-pull with a weed tool to remove the entire taproot.
- Spot-treat with broadleaf herbicides.
- Regular fertilization keeps turf dense enough to crowd out dandelions.
- Hand-pull with a weed tool to remove the entire taproot.
5. Purslane
- Appearance: Low-growing succulent weed with thick, red stems and small, fleshy leaves. Produces tiny yellow flowers.
- Problem: Extremely drought-tolerant and spreads rapidly in bare, dry areas.
- Control:
- Remove before flowering to prevent reseeding.
- Mulch bare areas to block germination.
- Use pre-emergent products for prevention.
- Remove before flowering to prevent reseeding.
How to Prevent Weeds in Phoenix Lawns
Controlling weeds starts with prevention. Here’s how to make your turf less inviting:
- Healthy turf management: Fertilize, aerate, and overseed to maintain density. Thick grass shades out weeds.
- Irrigation management: Avoid overwatering (which favors nutgrass) and underwatering (which leaves turf thin and stressed).
- Soil health: Regular soil testing and amendments keep turf strong enough to compete.
- Pre-emergent herbicides: Apply seasonally to stop weeds before they sprout.
- Mulching and edging: In landscape beds, mulch helps suppress weeds and retain moisture.
When to Call in the Experts
Some weeds in Phoenix are too persistent for DIY efforts. If you’ve tried hand-pulling and store-bought products without success, it may be time for professional weed control.
Our licensed and experienced team can:
- Identify weeds correctly (critical for proper treatment).
- Apply commercial-grade herbicides safely and effectively.
- Combine weed control with fertilization, irrigation management, and soil treatments to strengthen turf long-term.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Let Weeds Win
Weeds like nutgrass, spurge, crabgrass, dandelion, and purslane thrive in Phoenix lawns, but they don’t have to take over yours. With the right prevention, treatment, and professional support, you can keep your turf strong, green, and weed-free all year long. Healthy turf isn’t just about looks. It’s about improving curb appeal, increasing property value, and protecting your landscape investment.
Our team specializes in diagnosing and treating tree diseases throughout the greater Phoenix area, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Paradise Valley and Phoenix.
Fill out a contact form through our site or call 602-777-7764 to get in touch for a free evaluation and quote if you could use some help eliminating weeds from your property!