A Comprehensive Guide to Common Types of Weeds in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona, with its arid climate and scorching temperatures, presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to weed management. The desert environment fosters the growth of numerous tenacious weeds, each with its distinct characteristics and methods of proliferation. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore some of the most common weeds found in the Phoenix area, including:

Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua)

Annual Bluegrass is a fine-textured grass characterized by its flat, boat-shaped leaf tips and light green color. It often forms dense mats in lawns, and its open, branching seedheads have a distinctive boat shape with a purplish tint.

• Type: Grassy weed.
• Habitat: Flourishes in lawns, gardens, and areas with well-drained soil.
• Lighting: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
• Soil Type: Grows well in various soil types, particularly in areas with good moisture retention.
• Seasonal Growth: Germinates in late fall or early winter and grows actively during the cooler months.
• How to Get Rid of Annual Bluegrass: Use pre-emergent herbicides in the fall to prevent seed germination. Post-emergent herbicides can be applied in the winter or early spring.

Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon)

Bermuda Grass is a fine-textured grass with wiry stems and a grayish-green color. It forms dense, spreading mats and is recognized by its long, slender, pointed leaves. The seed head is distinctive, featuring multiple finger-like spikes.

• Type: Perennial grassy weed.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and along roadsides with well-drained soil.
• Lighting: Requires full sun for optimal growth.
• Soil Type: Adapts well to sandy soils but prefers fertile, loamy soil.
• Seasonal Growth: Thrives in the warm season, with rapid growth during late spring and summer.
• How to Get Rid of Bermuda Grass: Apply post-emergent herbicides during the active growing season. Regular mowing and overseeding with desirable grass can help suppress Bermuda Grass.

Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare)

Buffelgrass is a tufted grass with coarse, bristly leaves, and it can grow in clumps or form dense mats. This grass may produce panicle-type seed heads, resembling a collection of bristly spikes.

• Type: Perennial grassy weed.
• Habitat: Thrives in open areas, disturbed lands, and along roadsides.
• Lighting: Flourishes in full sunlight.
• Soil Type: Prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate various soil conditions.
• Seasonal Growth: Thrives in the warm season, actively growing in spring and summer.
• How to Get Rid of Buffelgrass: Manual removal and regular mowing can help control Buffelgrass. Apply post-emergent herbicides for more stubborn infestations.

Cheeseweed (Malva parviflora)

Cheeseweed, also known as Little Mallow, is a broadleaf weed with lobed, kidney-shaped leaves and small, pink or lavender flowers. The leaves resemble miniature cheese wheels, hence the name.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and disturbed areas with well-drained soil.
• Lighting: Grows well in full sun.
• Soil Type: Flourishes in loamy soils but can adapt to different soil types.
• Seasonal Growth: Germinates in late fall or winter, growing actively in the cooler months.
• How to Get Rid of Cheeseweed: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in fall and post-emergent herbicides in winter.

Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)

Common Mallow, a broadleaf weed, has round to kidney-shaped leaves with toothed edges. It produces pale pink to lavender flowers with dark purple veins at the center.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Found in lawns, gardens, and disturbed soil with good moisture.
• Lighting: Flourishes in partial shade to full sun.
• Soil Type: Adapts well to fertile, well-drained soil.
• Seasonal Growth: Germinates in late fall or winter, growing actively during the cooler months.
• How to Get Rid of Common Mallow: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in fall and post-emergent herbicides in winter.

Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

Common Purslane is a succulent broadleaf weed with smooth, fleshy leaves arranged in a prostrate manner. It bears small, yellow flowers and can be identified by its thick, reddish stems.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Thrives in gardens, lawns, and compacted soil with good drainage.
• Lighting: Prefers full sunlight.
• Soil Type: Grows well in sandy soils with adequate moisture.
• Seasonal Growth: Germinates in spring and grows actively in warm weather.
• How to Get Rid of Common Purslane: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in spring and post-emergent herbicides in summer.

Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)

Crabgrass is an annual grass with wide, spreading stems and finger-like spikes of seedheads. It has a distinctive prostrate growth habit and can form dense patches in lawns.

• Type: Grassy weed.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and compacted soil.
• Lighting: Flourishes in full sun.
• Soil Type: Tolerates a range of soil conditions but prefers well-drained soil.
• Seasonal Growth: Thrives in warm weather, germinating in late spring and growing throughout the summer.
• How to Get Rid of Crabgrass: Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring to prevent seed germination. Post-emergent herbicides are effective during the growing season.

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Field Bindweed is a vining weed with arrow-shaped leaves and white to pink trumpet-shaped flowers. It twines around other plants and structures, forming dense mats.

• Type: Vining perennial weed.
• Habitat: Found in gardens, lawns, and disturbed areas with well-drained soil.
• Lighting: Flourishes in full sun.
• Soil Type: Prefers fertile, loamy soil.
• Seasonal Growth: Grows actively in the warm season.
• How to Get Rid of Field Bindweed: Manual removal is challenging due to its extensive root system. Use systemic herbicides, and employ a combination of pre-emergent and post-emergent strategies.

Filaree (Erodium spp.)

Filaree, or Stork's Bill, is a low-growing broadleaf weed with deeply lobed leaves resembling a crane's bill. It produces beak-like seed capsules that give it its name.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and disturbed soil with good moisture.
• Lighting: Flourishes in partial shade to full sun.
• Soil Type: Adapts well to various soil types.
• Seasonal Growth: Germinates in fall or winter, growing actively in cooler months.
• How to Get Rid of Filaree: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in fall and post-emergent herbicides in winter.

Foxtail (Setaria spp.)

Foxtail is an annual grass with bristly, spike-like seedheads resembling a fox's tail. The grass blades are flat and narrow, and it can be problematic due to the sharp seed awns that can cause injury to pets.

• Type: Grassy weed.
• Habitat: Frequents lawns, gardens, and disturbed areas with well-drained soil.
• Lighting: Thrives in full sun.
• Soil Type: Adapts to different soil types but prefers good drainage.
• Seasonal Growth: Thrives in warm weather, actively growing in late spring and summer.
• How to Get Rid of Foxtail: Mow regularly to prevent seed head formation. Post-emergent herbicides are effective during the growing season.

Hairy Fleabane (Conyza bonariensis)

Hairy Fleabane is a broadleaf weed with hairy leaves and multiple flower heads with small, white to lavender flowers. The leaves emit a pungent odor when crushed.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and disturbed areas with well-drained soil.
• Lighting: Flourishes in full sun.
• Soil Type: Adapts well to various soil conditions.
• Seasonal Growth: Germinates in fall or winter, growing actively during the cooler months.
• How to Get Rid of Hairy Fleabane: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in fall and post-emergent herbicides in winter.

London Rocket (Sisymbrium irio)

London Rocket is a winter annual with deeply lobed leaves and small, yellow flowers with four petals. It forms rosettes and can be identified by its upright growth habit.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Frequents open areas, gardens, and disturbed soil with well-drained conditions.
• Lighting: Grows well in full sunlight.
• Soil Type: Tolerates different soil types but prefers good drainage.
• Seasonal Growth: Grows actively in cooler months.
• How to Get Rid of London Rocket: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in fall and post-emergent herbicides in winter.

Pigweed (Amaranthus spp.)

Pigweed is a broadleaf weed with lance-shaped leaves and dense clusters of small green flowers. Some varieties may have a reddish tint in the leaves.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Common in gardens, lawns, and disturbed areas with well-drained soil.
• Lighting: Flourishes in full sun.
• Soil Type: Adapts well to various soil conditions.
• Seasonal Growth: Germinates in spring and grows actively in warm weather.
• How to Get Rid of Pigweed: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in spring and post-emergent herbicides in summer.

Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)

Puncturevine, also known as Goathead, is a low-growing broadleaf weed with opposite compound leaves and small yellow flowers. It produces hard, spiky fruits that can puncture bike tires and footwear.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Found in open areas, roadsides, and compacted soil with good drainage.
• Lighting: Requires full sunlight.
• Soil Type: Tolerates sandy soils but prefers well-drained conditions.
• Seasonal Growth: Thrives in warm weather, growing actively in late spring and summer.
• How to Get Rid of Puncturevine: Manual removal is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in spring and post-emergent herbicides in summer.

Redstem Filaree (Erodium cicutarium)

Redstem Filaree is a low-growing broadleaf weed with finely dissected leaves and pink to purple flowers. The stems have a reddish tint, giving it its name.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and disturbed soil with well-drained conditions.
• Lighting: Flourishes in partial shade to full sun.
• Soil Type: Adapts well to various soil types.
• Seasonal Growth: Germinates in fall or winter, growing actively during cooler months.
• How to Get Rid of Redstem Filaree: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in fall and post-emergent herbicides in winter.

Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus)

Russian Thistle, also known as Tumbleweed, is a bushy annual with jointed stems and small greenish flowers. When mature, it breaks away from the roots, tumbling and dispersing seeds.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Frequents open areas, roadsides, and disturbed soil with well-drained conditions.
• Lighting: Requires full sunlight.
• Soil Type: Tolerates various soil conditions but prefers good drainage.
• Seasonal Growth: Thrives in warm weather, growing actively in late spring and summer.
• How to Get Rid of Russian Thistle: Manual removal before seed maturity is crucial. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in spring and post-emergent herbicides in summer.

Spurge (Euphorbia spp.)

Spurge is a low-growing broadleaf weed with succulent stems and leaves. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers, and the plant releases a milky sap when broken.

• Type: Broadleaf weed.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and disturbed areas with well-drained soil.
• Lighting: Flourishes in full sun.
• Soil Type: Adapts well to various soil conditions.
• Seasonal Growth: Thrives in warm weather, growing actively in late spring and summer.
• How to Get Rid of Spurge: Hand pulling is effective for small infestations. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in spring and post-emergent herbicides in summer.

Wild Oats (Avena fatua)

Wild Oats are annual grasses with flat blades and loose, nodding seed heads. The seed heads have long awns that give them a distinctive appearance in fields and lawns.

• Type: Grassy weed.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and disturbed soil with well-drained conditions.
• Lighting: Grows well in partial shade to full sun.
• Soil Type: Tolerates different soil types but prefers good drainage.
• Seasonal Growth: Thrives in cooler months, actively growing in fall and winter.
• How to Get Rid of Wild Oats: Apply pre-emergent herbicides in fall and post-emergent herbicides in winter to control seed germination and growth.

Professional Weed Control

Managing weeds in Phoenix, AZ, requires a combination of preventive measures, manual removal, and targeted herbicide applications. But the most effective way to ensure a weed-free yard is by reaching out to Workman. Our team offers comprehensive weed control in Phoenix that uses both pre- and post-emergent herbicides to ensure we keep weeds at bay all season long. Contact our team today to reclaim your beautiful lawn!