Henbit Control for Turf

Henbit is a winter annual mint that germinates in fall and flowers in early spring. It can form purple-flowering patches before warm-season turf resumes growth.

How to Identify Henbit

Square stems carry rounded, scalloped leaves; upper leaves clasp the stem. Small purple tubular flowers form in whorls near the top.

Why It Appears in Turf

Open soil, fall moisture, compacted areas, and slow spring green-up allow henbit to mature and seed before turf closes.

Make the Site Less Favorable

• Maintain the recommended mowing height and avoid scalping.
• Correct irrigation, drainage, compaction, fertility, or shade problems that thin desirable turf.
• Repair bare areas and use adapted turf cultivars to close openings where seedlings establish.

Choosing a Turf Herbicide

Use the products below as a starting point, then match the herbicide to the desirable turf species and the weed's growth stage. Preemergence products must be applied and activated before germination; postemergence products work best on small, actively growing weeds. Repeat applications may be needed where the label allows.

Label note: Confirm the desirable turf species, use site, target weed, application timing, rate, adjuvant directions, and reseeding restrictions on the current label before use.