Despite their best efforts, most Australian gardeners will have to deal with weeds in their flower beds and yards. Not only can they ruin the aesthetic of a pristine green lawn, but if left to grow and spread, they can lead to long term damage to your grass and soil.

When it’s time for you to get out there and tackle weed removal, you’ll need to know what weed you’re looking at to find the best way to get rid of it and keep it gone. With over 112 weed species identified in Australia, this can be tricky, but you don’t need to be a qualified horticulturist to get the job done. 

Here, we’ll talk through the most common garden weeds we see here, how to identify them, and methods of removing weeds with or without chemicals.

The Most Persistent Weeds: Identification, Treatment, and Prevention

Step one to weed removal and garden maintenance is identification. This is because weed species differ greatly in their needs, and thus, what it takes to get rid of them. Australia’s climate and gardening zones are diverse, so the types of weeds commonly found can vary depending on the region. However, some weeds are widespread across the country, so here’s the rundown on these common weeds in Australian soils. 

1. Clover (Trifolium repens)

• Identification: Clover has small, rounded, trifoliate (three-lobed) leaves, usually with a white or cream “V” mark. It produces white or pinkish ball-shaped flower heads.
• Regions: Common in lawns and gardens across southern and eastern Australia, particularly in more temperate regions.
• Control: Hand-pull young plants, or use selective herbicide to get rid of clover. To prevent regrowth, maintain healthy, thick grass coverage and avoid overwatering, as this will encourage new growth.

2. Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula)

• Identification: Capeweed has large grey-green leaves with a white woolly underside. It produces yellow daisy-like flowers with a black centre.
• Regions: Mostly found in temperate regions, especially in South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.
• Control: Pull by hand or use a broadleaf herbicide. Prevent growth by mulching, mowing regularly, and avoiding over-watering.

3. Bindii (Soliva sessilis)

• Identification: Bindii has small fine leaves, and could be mistaken for clover. Its most distinctive feature is its prickly seed pods that form during summer and fall.
• Regions: Common in lawns across southern and eastern Australia, particularly in warm temperate zones.
• Control: Regular mowing to maximise lawn health, or use selective herbicides designed for lawns. Bindii growth can be prevented by improving lawn health and avoiding compacted soil by aerating and coring your lawn.

4. Oxalis (Oxalis corniculata)

• Identification: A low-growing weed with small, clover-like leaves which fold inwards at night, and bright yellow, five-petaled flowers.
• Regions: Found across much of Australia, particularly in temperate and subtropical climates.
• Control: Hand-pull, especially before seeds set in the soil and use selective herbicides in lawns. Prevent Oxalis growth by keeping garden beds mulched and avoid over-watering.

5. Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)

• Identification: Chickweed has small, oval leaves with smooth edges. It produces little white star-shaped flowers, and spreads quite rapidly.
• Regions: Widespread in cool, moist areas of southern Australia, especially in gardens and vegetable patches with high nutrient density.
• Control: Pull by hand or use a broadleaf herbicide. Prevent by mulching, improving soil drainage, and avoiding over-watering.

6. Cress (Lepidium spp.)

• Identification: Cress has small, round or oval leaves and produces white flowers. The stems are often red or purple in colour.
• Regions: Common in lawns and vegetable gardens across southern and eastern Australia.
• Control: Hand-pull or use a broadleaf herbicide. Prevent by mulching garden beds and ensuring good plant coverage to suppress growth.

7. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

• Identification: Dandelions have deep green, jagged leaves that form a rosette, and their well-known bright yellow flowers turn into fluffy seed heads. They also have a long, deep taproot.
• Regions: Widespread across Australia, especially in temperate zones.
• Control: Dig up the entire taproot, or use a selective herbicide. Regular mowing in lawns helps control the flowering and seeding process.

8. Fat Hen (Chenopodium album)

• Identification: Fat Hen has broad, oval leaves with a mealy texture, and produces clusters of small, greenish flowers.
• Regions: Common in garden beds, vegetable patches, and disturbed soils throughout temperate and subtropical regions of Australia.
• Control: Hand-pull before seeding, or use broadleaf herbicides. Prevent by mulching and rotating crops in vegetable gardens with each growing season.

9. Paterson’s Curse (Echium plantagineum)

• Identification: A biennial plant with tall, straight stems, broad leaves, and spikes of vibrant purple flowers.
• Regions: Found predominantly in southern and eastern Australia, especially in temperate and dry regions.
• Control: Hand-pull or use herbicides like glyphosate. Prevent by controlling early growth and removing flower heads before seeding.

10. Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus)

• Identification: Sowthistle has large green leaves that produce a milky sap. The plant also produces yellow, dandelion-like flowers on tall stems.
• Regions: Widespread in gardens, lawns, and disturbed soils across Australia.
• Control: Hand-pull or use selective herbicides. Mulch garden beds to suppress new growth, and mow regularly in lawns.

11. Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.)

• Identification: A fast-growing vine with heart-shaped leaves and large funnel-shaped flowers that are usually purple, blue, or white.
• Regions: Common in subtropical and tropical areas, especially along fences and trellises.
• Control: Hand-pull or use systemic herbicides. Prevent by clearing away old growth and regularly pruning.

12. Tobacco Weed (Sida acuta)

• Identification: A shrub-like plant with soft, oval leaves and yellow flowers. It can spread and grow quite a bit, often reaching 1–2 metres tall.
• Regions: Common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly along roadsides and in areas where the soil has been disturbed.
• Control: Hand-pull or use selective herbicides. Prevent by mulching and maintaining the ground cover of other plants and grasses.

13. Quaking Grass (Briza maxima)

• Identification: A grass with distinctive nodular seed heads that resemble small, flattened bells. The leaves are long, thin, and have a soft texture.
• Regions: Found in temperate and cool regions, especially in lawns and grassy areas.
• Control: Regular mowing, or use a selective herbicide for grasses. Prevent by encouraging healthy lawn growth and using thick mulch.

14. Thistles (Cirsium spp.)

• Identification: Thistles have spiny, jagged leaves and produce large, purple or pink flowers. The stems are often thick and bristly.
• Regions: Widespread in pastures, agricultural lands, and disturbed soil areas across Australia.
• Control: Cut back or use herbicides before flowering. Regularly mow pastures and clear land to reduce seed production.

15. Mallow (Malva neglecta)

• Identification: Mallow has large, round, soft leaves with a wrinkled texture. It produces pink or purple flowers and often forms a low bushy habitat.
• Regions: Common in gardens, disturbed soils, and along roadsides throughout Australia, especially in temperate regions.
• Control: Hand-pull or use broadleaf herbicides. Prevent by maintaining thick ground cover and using mulch in garden beds.

Why is Weed Removal Necessary?

Removing weeds serves more purposes than simply improving the overall appearance of your yard. This means that as a chore, weed removal is important even if you’re not bothered by their appearance.

Weeds can spread quickly, and particularly with invasive species, can get out of control in no time if left untreated. Some of the most common issues with weeds include:

• Soil erosion
• Nutrient competition with other plants
• Reduced crop yields
• Interference with irrigation
• Risk of harm to native plants and animals
• Safety of humans and pets (think poisonous species to animals, and nettle stings to humans)

Get Rid of Weeds the Right Way

At Jim’s Mowing, we can help you out with getting rid of weed overgrowth, and managing ongoing lawn maintenance like mowing services, aeration, and more. Contact Jim’s Mowing today to speak with a team member about getting your yard under control!