Typical Lawn Weeds in Ohio

Weeds plague homeowners throughout the country every year. Lawn weeds are hardy plants that are hard to kill and easily reproduce. Several types of weeds have naturalized in the state of Ohio. The rapidly reproducing common Ohio weeds can take over a neglected lawn and steal resources the grass requires to thrive. The weeds can quickly take over and make a well-manicured lawn look like an abandoned lot.

Field bindweed (Convovulus arvensis) also called bearbind, creeping Jenny, European bindweed, devil's guts, lesser bindweed and wild morning glory, is a common Ohio weed. Native to Europe and Asia, the lawn weed commonly occurs throughout most of Ohio. The perennial vine has arrowhead-shaped green leaves. It produces 1-inch white or pale pink flowers along its twining vine. It thrives in fertile soils but can grow in poor soils. It propagates through seeds and rhizomes. The blackish-brown, wedge-shaped seeds form in an oblong capsule.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) also called catmint, cat's-heal-all and field-balm is an invasive plant. Native to Europe, this member of the mint family has medicinal and culinary uses. It was cultivated throughout the North American continent for these reasons. The highly invasive plant easily escaped into the wild. It is one of the most common weeds in Ohio due to its ability to grow in all types of soil. It may survive in all types of soil, but it thrives when it finds its way into fertile lawns. The downy leaves have serrated edges and give off a minty fragrance when crushed. This common perennial weed attracts cats and bees. The ?-inch long flowers range in color from white to pale purple and have darker purple spots on them. It propagates through seeds and rhizomes.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is undoubtedly the most recognizable of all types of lawn weeds. Also called bitterwort, Irish daisy, piss-in-bed, priest's crown, swine's snout and telltime, dandelions amuse children and annoy adults. The Ohio State University claims that some believe the invasive plant is Ohio's most common flowering plant. Dandelions thrive in moist soil located in sunny locations but can sprout anywhere. This lawn weed produces yellow flowers that can grow up to 2 inches wide. The flowers turn into cottony white seed heads easily dispersed by the wind.

Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) also known as butter daisy, Dutch curse, field daisy, horse daisy, moon daisy, poverty-weed and white-weed, are common Ohio weeds. Native to Europe, this invasive plant quickly became a nuisance when it escaped from flowerbeds. These perennial lawn weeds have a clumping growth habit. The daisy-like flowers grow up to 2 inches wide and have a yellow center with white petals. It readily propagates through seeds and rhizomes. Among the most widespread weeds in Ohio, they thrive in full sun and in most soil conditions.