Search
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule; Image 1) is a winter annual weed commonly found in lawns, landscapes, roadsides, fields and pastures across most of the United States and Canada. Henbit germinates in the late fall and early winter months in Louisiana and is commonly found in home lawns and landscapes.
Henbit is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Henbit is a dicot, meaning it has two cotyledons (first leaves that emerge before true leaves) instead of one (monocots). Henbit cotyledons are ovals which are notched at the base (Image 2). The first true leaves and lower leaves of henbit are petioled, meaning that they have a stalk that attaches them to the stem. The stems of henbit are square, a trait that is shared by many other members of the mint family. Leaves have dense hairs on the upper surface and on veins of the lower surface. As henbit grows and matures the upper leaves are sessile, meaning that the leaves are attached directly to the stem without any stalk (Image 3). Henbit has many small reddish-purple flowers which are tubular (Image 4). Henbit is commonly confused with a close relative, purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum); however, the two can be distinguished by the lack of petioles on the upper leaves of henbit and the reddish, triangular, petioled upper leaves of purple deadnettle.
As a winter annual weed, henbit can be managed in landscape beds by a combination of strategies oriented toward the prevention of seed production and germination. A combination of preemergence herbicides applied in the late summer to early fall, mulching in landscape beds and spot treatment of emerged weeds via herbicides and/or hand-weeding will serve as an effective management strategy for henbit. Ensure preemergence herbicides are registered for use near selected ornamental species. Henbit emerges and grows vigorously during the late fall and early winter months, so it is imperative to prevent seed production as much as possible. Pull emerged henbit from landscape plantings by hand or spot-spray with effective postemergence herbicides before they produce seeds to mitigate problems in future years. Most postemergence herbicides are not designed for use over-the-top of ornamental plants, so take care to avoid getting any herbicide product on desirable plants unless the product label explicitly states otherwise.
Herbicides for preemergence control of henbit in landscape beds.
| Active Ingredient(s) | HRAC Group |
|---|---|
| trifluarlin | 3 |
| prodiamine | 3 |
| oryzalin | 3 |
| pendimethalin | 3 |
| isoxaben | 29 |
Herbicides for directed postemergence control of henbit in landscape beds.
| Active Ingredient(s) | HRAC Group |
|---|---|
| caprylic acid | 0 |
| pelargonic acid | 0 |
| glyphosate | 9 |
| glufosinate | 10 |
P4031-B
1/7/26
The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.
Image 1. Henbit growing in a landscape bed. Photo by Colton Blankenship
Image 2. Henbit seedling growing in straw mulch. Photo by Colton Blankenship
Image 3. Sessile upper leaves and petioled lower leaves of henbit. Photo by Colton Blankenship
Image 4. Henbit flowers. Photo by Colton Blankenship
