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Spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata L.) is a warm-season annual weed common throughout Louisiana. It is adapted to a wide range of growing conditions and can be found growing in lawns, open areas in landscapes and sidewalk cracks. It spreads primarily through seeds, and a single plant alone can produce several thousand seeds. Seeds germinate in mid-spring, and plants are usually established by summer. Spotted spurge has a prostrate growth habit and forms dense mats close to the ground. Its prolific seed production makes it difficult to control in the lawn and landscape.
Spotted spurge leaves are small and oval-shaped with smooth edges. Red to purple leaf spots are found in the center of the leaves, which are oppositely arranged on stems. It produces small clusters of inconspicuous light-pink flowers at leaf axils on the stem. Spotted spurge’s growth habit is prostrate and very low to the ground. Stems originate from one single point and grow horizontally to form a dense mat that can grow up to several feet in diameter. When its stems are broken, spotted spurge secretes a milky sap that can be toxic to some animals. For more information on spotted spurge identification and characterization, reference the USDA Plants Database.
Spotted spurge
Yellow flowers
Spotted leaves
Milky sap
The best way to prevent or reduce weed encroachment is to maintain a healthy lawn through regular mowing and proper fertilization and soil pH management. Properly maintaining a lawn through these cultural practices promotes dense and vigorous turfgrass and allows the lawn to better compete with weeds. Below are the recommended mowing heights and nitrogen fertility rates recommended for each turfgrass species. In addition to these lawn care practices, manual removal of weeds may also be necessary.
| Turfgrass Species | Mowing Height | Nitrogen Rate (per 1,000 ft2 per year) |
| Bermudagrass | 1 to 2 inches | Up to 3 pounds |
| Centipedegrass | 1 to 2.5 inches | Up to 2 pounds |
| St. Augustinegrass | 2.5 to 3 inches | Up to 3 pounds |
| Zoysiagrass | 1 to 2.5 inches | Up to 2 pounds |
In addition to cultural practices, herbicide applications may be required to achieve effective weed control. Pre-emergence herbicides that control crabgrass are effective for managing spotted spurge. Apply metsulfuron when spotted spurge is observed in the lawn. Metsulfuron is more effective on young actively growing weeds. Follow-up applications may be necessary to achieve control. Populations of spotted spurge that are allowed to persist into late summer can be very difficult to manage.
When applying any type of herbicide, you must follow the manufacturer’s labeled directions. For more information regarding pesticides for turfgrass please reference the Louisiana Suggested Chemical Weed Control Guide.
| St. Augustinegrass | Centipedegrass | Zoysiagrass | Bermudagrass | |
| Pre-emergence Herbicide Active Ingredients | ||||
| pendimethalin | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| dithiopyr | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| prodiamine | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| isoxaben | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| indazifla | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Post-emergence Herbicide Active Ingredients |
||||
| metsulfuron-methyl | Yes | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
For information regarding weed identification and control options please contact your local LSU AgCenter Extension Parish Office.
Download here: Louisiana Home Lawn Series: Spotted Spurge 3624-I
