Purslane Control for Turf

Common purslane is a succulent summer annual that spreads across open, hot soil. Stem fragments can remain viable, so disturbed plants may reroot.

How to Identify Purslane

Fleshy spoon-shaped leaves occur on smooth reddish stems that radiate from a central crown. Small yellow flowers open in bright sun.

Why It Appears in Turf

Bare soil, heat, compaction, and frequent disturbance favor emergence. Plants grow rapidly during summer and produce abundant seed.

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.