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Common chickweed (Stellaria media; Image 1) is a winter annual weed commonly found in lawns, landscape beds, gardens and fields across the continental United States and Canada. Common chickweed germinates in the fall and early winter months in Louisiana and can frequently be seen in landscape beds and lawns.
Common chickweed is a member of the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Seedlings of common chickweed have ovular cotyledons with reddish hypocotyls (Image 2). Common chickweed has linear rows of hairs along stems which is a major identifying feature. Leaf arrangement is opposite; leaves have a distinct elliptic shape that come to a distinct tip. The inflorescences of common chickweed are white with short white petals and slightly longer sepals (Image 3). Common chickweed is frequently confused with mouseear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum). Mouseear chickweed is commonly found in similar environments as common chickweed; however, mouseear chickweed is densely hairy across all surfaces.
Management of common chickweed in landscape beds can be achieved through an integrated approach focused on prevention of establishment and seed production. Effective preemergence herbicides applied in the fall, combined with mulching and spot treatment, will provide acceptable management of common chickweed in landscape plantings. Ensure that selected preemergence herbicides are safe for use near desirable ornamental species planted at the site and that common chickweed is listed on the label as a controlled weed species. Proper calibration procedures are critical when using any herbicide product to make certain that rates applied are consistent with product label requirements. Hand removal of escaped weeds may be necessary to maintain weed-free landscape beds. Spot-spraying of postemergence herbicides is an alternative option for control of emerged common chickweed. Take extra precautions to avoid postemergence herbicide contact with ornamental plants, unless the product label explicitly states otherwise.
| Active Ingredient(s) | HRAC Group |
|---|---|
| trifluarlin | 3 |
| prodiamine | 3 |
| oryzalin | 3 |
| pendimethalin | 3 |
| isoxaben | 29 |
| Active Ingredient(s) | HRAC Group |
|---|---|
| caprylic acid | 0 |
| pelargonic acid | 0 |
| bentazon | 6 |
| glyphosate | 9 |
| glufosinate | 10 |
It is the applicator’s responsibility to follow all labeled instructions and restrictions when using a herbicide product. Ensure that selected products are both 1) registered for use in ornamental landscape plantings and 2) that the ornamental species present are listed on the label as safe for use around. This does not represent an exhaustive list of all available herbicide products.
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Image 1. Common chickweed growing under a camellia. Photo by Colton Blankenship
Image 2. Common chickweed seedling growing in straw mulch. Photo by Colton Blankenship
Image 3. Common chickweed inflorescence. Photo by Colton Blankenship
