Florida weeds like crabgrass, dollarweed, and spurge thrive in our hot, humid climate. Learn how to spot the most common culprits in your yard, discover native species worth keeping, and explore removal tips to reclaim your lawn, without wasting time or damaging your turf.
Weeds in Florida don’t play by the same rules as in other parts of the country. With year-round growing seasons, sandy soils, and frequent rain, common lawn invaders like nutsedge and spurge can come back season after season, even after pulling or spraying.
Whether you’re battling stubborn dollarweed in a soggy patch of lawn, wondering if that clover lookalike is something worth keeping, or confused why crabgrass keeps returning despite your best efforts, we’ll walk you through the solutions that actually work. We’ll also show you why some weeds may actually help your yard, and when it’s time to bring in the pros.
We understand South Florida lawns like nobody else. Our weed control services combine local expertise, soil testing, and environmentally conscious treatments to give your yard a fighting chance, without trial and error.
If you're ready for a full breakdown on Florida weed ID, native plant benefits, and removal strategies that work in our climate, keep reading.
Why Are Florida Weed So Persistent and How to Beat Them
In most parts of the country, weed growth slows in the fall. Not in Florida. Here, the growing season never really ends, and that’s exactly why weeds are such a relentless issue for homeowners. If it seems like no matter how often you pull or spray, they keep coming back, you’re not imagining it.
Florida’s warm, humid climate creates an ideal environment for weed germination and regrowth year-round. Add in sandy, nutrient-poor soil, and you're left with a landscape where only the toughest, most aggressive plants survive, and unfortunately, those are usually weeds.
Even well-watered lawns can suffer. In fact, overwatering is one of the top causes of weed outbreaks. It creates the moist conditions dollarweed and sedge thrive in. On the flip side, compacted soil, from foot traffic, pets, or heavy rains, limits turfgrass root growth, giving opportunistic weeds like goosegrass the upper hand.
What makes Florida weeds particularly challenging is their ability to spread from both seeds and underground root systems. That means pulling a few leaves won’t solve the problem if the root network is left behind. And with many species able to lie dormant in the soil for years, even seemingly weed-free lawns can explode with growth when conditions are right.
Why do weeds grow back even after I pull them?
Many Florida weeds reproduce both by seed and underground stems or rhizomes. If you don’t target both, they’ll regenerate, even in the same spot.
Controlling Florida weeds requires knowing how they grow, when to treat them, and how to strengthen your turf to crowd them out.
The Most Common Florida Weeds And How to Spot Them Fast
One of the biggest mistakes Florida homeowners make is misidentifying weeds, and treating the wrong ones with the wrong product. Here’s how to recognize the most common invaders in your lawn so you can stop wasting time and start using the right solution.
Dollarweed
If your lawn feels squishy and stays soggy after watering or rain, and you notice round, bright green leaves about the size of a coin, you're likely dealing with dollarweed. It thrives in overwatered areas and spreads aggressively if not controlled with selective herbicides.
Crabgrass
This summer annual has wide, flat, hairy blades and a tendency to sprawl outward like a crab’s legs. It shows up in thin, weak spots in your lawn and grows quickly when temperatures rise. Pre-emergents are key here, once crabgrass is visible, it’s already seeded.
Goosegrass
Frequently mistaken for crabgrass, goosegrass has a more compressed, rosette-like shape and a silvery-white center. It grows in compacted, high-traffic areas where turf is sparse. This weed is notoriously hard to kill and often requires a targeted approach and aeration to prevent its return.
Spurge
If you see a low-growing mat with reddish stems and tiny leaves, you’re probably looking at spurge. Break a stem and you’ll notice a milky sap. It grows fast and can release thousands of seeds in a single season, making early control critical.
Nutsedge
With glossy, bright green leaves that grow faster than your turfgrass and stems that feel triangular in cross-section, nutsedge is one of Florida’s most persistent lawn weeds. It thrives in wet soil and won’t respond to standard broadleaf or grassy weed herbicides, you need a sedge-specific product.
Misidentified or Misunderstood? Native Florida Weeds You May Want to Keep
Not all weeds are villains in disguise. In fact, some of Florida’s most commonly pulled plants are native species that play a role in supporting local wildlife, enriching the soil, and promoting biodiversity. Yet many homeowners, aiming for that pristine golf-course look, remove these plants without realizing the ecological value they’re losing.
Geranium carolinianum and Phytolacca americana, for instance, are native to Florida and serve as food sources for various birds and insects. You may have walked past them countless times without knowing they’re helping sustain the local food web. Similarly, fanpetals and Cuban jute are considered weeds by many, but they attract butterflies, particularly species like the checkered-skipper, offering nectar and egg-laying sites.
Some of these so-called weeds even act as natural mulch, reducing soil erosion and retaining moisture, while others offer overwintering shelter for bees and beneficial insects, helping maintain pollination cycles in your garden.
Are there Florida-native weeds that benefit my yard?
Yes. Certain native weeds act as pollinator magnets, protect the soil, and contribute to overall lawn health. Some are even edible or medicinal.
When in doubt, consult a local plant atlas or cooperative extension service before removing anything. You may find that “weeds” like these deserve a spot in your yard after all, especially when strategically left in less visible corners to support native biodiversity.
Florida Weed Removal Methods That Actually Work
With so many weed types and growth habits, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, especially in Florida. But knowing which methods are effective (and when to use them) can make the difference between a short-term fix and a lasting result.
Manual Removal
For shallow-rooted annuals like young crabgrass or chickweed, hand-pulling can be surprisingly effective, if done before the plant flowers or sets seed. However, this method isn’t suitable for deep-rooted or regenerative weeds like spurge and nutsedge, which can return from tiny fragments left in the soil.
Mulching & Smothering
One of the most overlooked weed control methods is simple, natural suppression. Adding pine bark or cedar mulch to flowerbeds improves soil health over time. This method is ideal for garden borders and around trees or palms where pre-emergent herbicides might not be practical.
How can I stop weeds from growing in the mulch around my palms?
Apply a thick (2–3 inch) layer of organic mulch and refresh it regularly to maintain light-blocking density. Avoid gaps that let light through to the soil.
Pre-Emergents
The backbone of any Florida lawn care program, pre-emergent herbicides work by stopping weed seeds from germinating. Apply in late winter (February) for spring weeds and again in early fall for winter annuals.
Since many Florida weeds can lie dormant for years, skipping a season means giving them the opening they’ve been waiting for.
Targeted Herbicides
Herbicides only work when matched to the correct weed type. For instance, nutsedge won’t respond to broadleaf or grassy weed killers, it requires a sedge-specific herbicide. Overuse of general-purpose products leads to turf damage and disappointing results.
Before spraying, make sure the weed is correctly identified and the label matches your lawn’s grass type (e.g. St. Augustine, zoysia, or Bermuda).
Organic Options
For homeowners concerned about chemical exposure, vinegar and boiling water are often recommended. But here’s the catch: these methods only burn the surface. They don’t reach roots, making them ineffective for many deep-rooted Florida weeds.
They do, however, have their place, especially in hardscape areas like cracks in sidewalks or driveways.
Are vinegar-based herbicides safe and effective?
They're safer, yes, but rarely effective on persistent Florida weeds. Use them in isolated, non-lawn areas.
Reasons Your Florida Lawn Keeps Getting Weeds
You’ve pulled, sprayed, and maybe even reseeded, yet the weeds keep coming back. That’s because the most persistent lawn invaders in Florida don’t just show up by chance. They exploit weaknesses in your lawn’s health, soil, and maintenance routines, and unless you fix the why, no solution will stick.
One of the most common culprits? Soil compaction. Whether it’s from heavy foot traffic, kids playing, or even mower wheels carving the same path each week, compacted soil prevents turfgrass roots from spreading. This leaves just enough space for opportunistic weeds like goosegrass to take over, especially in the warmer months.
Overwatering is another silent contributor. Florida’s heat may tempt you to run your sprinklers frequently, but this habit creates moist, poorly-drained areas that dollarweed, nutsedge, and even moss love. Lawns thrive on deep, infrequent watering, which encourages stronger root systems, and fewer soggy patches for weeds to exploit.
There’s also the issue of thatch buildup, a dense layer of roots, stems, and debris that forms between your turf and the soil. When thatch gets too thick, it holds moisture and creates a perfect nursery for weed seeds to germinate.
Other hidden threats include pet urine spots, fungal infections, and pest damage, all of which leave bare or weakened patches where aggressive weeds like spurge or crabgrass can move in almost overnight.
To truly get ahead of Florida weeds, lawn care has to go deeper than surface treatments like: Aeration, proper mowing height, fungus control, and smart irrigation.
Should You DIY or Call a Pro?
Weed control isn’t always rocket science. But in Florida’s unforgiving climate, where one wrong move can turn into months of regrowth, knowing when to handle things yourself, and when to get help, can save you time, money, and frustration.
When DIY Works
If you’re dealing with a few isolated weed patches, you may be able to get ahead of them with hand-pulling, spot treatments, or even smothering with mulch. DIY works best when:
You’ve correctly identified the weed and chosen the right treatment.
Your lawn is otherwise healthy, and weeds are the exception, not the rule.
You have the right tools, and the time, to stay consistent with applications.
When to Call a Pro
Sometimes, weeds are just the surface symptom of a bigger lawn problem. If you’ve tried multiple treatments with no lasting success, or weeds seem to bounce back stronger each season, it’s probably time to bring in pros.
You should consider professional help when:
Weeds keep spreading, especially from neighboring yards.
You’ve misidentified the weed, leading to wasted product and effort.
You notice signs of lawn dieback, fungus, or pest damage alongside the weeds.
With over 40 years serving South Florida neighborhoods, Hoffer doesn’t just “treat and pray.” They offer:
Custom lawn care programs targeting weed, fungus, and pest issues simultaneously.
Soil testing to reveal nutrient imbalances and compaction.
Climate-specific solutions tailored for Florida’s unique lawn challenges.
Family- and pet-safe products, applied by trained professionals who live where you live.
When DIY turns into a never-ending battle, Hoffer’s science-backed lawn care brings lasting relief.
Ready for a Weed-Free Lawn Without Guesswork?
If you’re tired of the trial-and-error approach to weed control, or just want a lawn that looks healthy year-round without stressing over every blade, Hoffer Pest Solutions is here to help.
Our team offers:
Weed identification and lawn health assessments
Seasonally timed pre-emergent and post-emergent treatments
Full-service lawn care with pest and fungus control through our Turf Shield program
Service areas covering Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties
We know what works here because we live and work here. And whether you’re trying to rescue a weed-ridden lawn or protect an already-beautiful one, we’ll make sure you get the right plan, right from the start.
Let us take the guesswork out of your lawn care, so you can get back to enjoying your yard, not battling it.
Contact Hoffer Pest Solutions today to schedule your inspection and start reclaiming your lawn from the ground up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a Florida-friendly ground cover to suppress weeds?
Yes. Native ground covers like perennial peanut, sunshine mimosa, and dune sunflower are all excellent alternatives to turfgrass. They support pollinators and require far less maintenance once established.
Can I solarize my lawn to kill weeds?
You can, and it’s effective on deep-rooted and stubborn perennial weeds. Solarization involves covering your lawn with clear plastic during the hottest months to bake the soil. It’s best done before reseeding or replanting and works particularly well in open, full-sun areas.
What’s the cheapest non-toxic weed fix?
The most cost-effective organic approach combines three steps:
Mulch generously (especially around beds and trees).
Mow high to shade out weed seedlings.
Improve your soil with compost and organic matter to help turf grow dense and resilient.