Lawn Care 101: Tips For Controlling Common Weeds In Your Florida Lawn

Jul 31st 2025

Florida's idyllic weather and abundance of sunlight make it the perfect place for homeowners to grow lush, beautiful lawns. However, those same weather conditions also make it easy for weeds to grow and spread across lawns. From crabgrass to dollarweed, Florida lawns are constantly being assailed by a number of fast-spreading weeds that rob your grass of essential nutrients. Fortunately, our trusted lawn care company is here with a few tips to help keep your lawn healthy, vibrant, and weed-free.

For over 15 years, Evergreen Lawn Care has provided professional landscaping and lawn maintenance services to homeowners and businesses throughout Gainesville, FL. Below, we outline a few of the most common kinds of weeds in Florida and share a few tips for preventing their spread.

Don't let weeds take over your lawn! Contact us today to request a free estimate on any of our lawn care services!

Common Weeds In Florida Lawns

Crabgrass

Crabgrass is one of the most notorious and pervasive weeds in Florida. This pesky weed thrives in Florida's hot weather and can spread aggressively, quickly taking over your lawn if left unaddressed. Worse yet, once it's taken root in your yard, crabgrass starts choking out healthy turf, leaving behind dead patches at the end of the season. If crabgrass kills off portions of your lawn, we can provide and install sod to help restore your lawn's appearance. To make crabgrass easier to control in the summertime, try applying preventative weed control in the spring.

Florida Pusley

Florida pusley, also referred to as Mexican clover or Richardia scabra, is a low-growing weed that's especially common in Florida lawns during the summer months. This weed is characterized by the small white flowers clustered at its stem. While Florida pusley might seem harmless at first, it spreads incredibly quickly and forms thick patches that can overtake your lawn. This weed thrives in Florida's sandy soils and can be especially difficult to remove with help from our lawn care professionals.

Dollarweed

Dollarweed, also known as pennywort, is a water-loving plant that gets its name from its silver-dollar-shaped leaves. This weed often shows up in overwatered lawns and yards with poor drainage. Because it spreads underground, dollarweed is incredibly persistent and is often challenging to eliminate. Generally, the best way to control dollarweed is through proper watering, regular mowing, and post-emergent herbicides.

Oxalis Weeds

Oxalis weeds, or yellow woodsorrel, is a common perennial plant that resembles small clovers with yellow flowers. These weeds are persistent, quickly spreading through seed heads and rhizomes, and are capable of reestablishing themselves even after you think you've eliminated them. Left unaddressed, oxalis will weaken your yard's grass and make your lawn more vulnerable to other kinds of weeds. Consistent mowing and hand-pulling are the best ways to control this weed.

Tips For Preventing Weeds In Your Lawn

Use Pre- & Post-Emergent Herbicides

Using pre- and post-emergent herbicides at the right time each year can help prevent weeds from taking over your lawn. Pre-emergent herbicides are applied before weed seeds have a chance to sprout and are typically utilized in early spring, then again in the fall. Post-emergent herbicides are for weeds that have already taken root and are most effective while weeds are still young and actively growing. For best results, always follow label instructions closely.

Mow Your Lawn Regularly

Regular mowing isn't just about maintaining your lawn's appearance; it's also a powerful tool for weed prevention. Keeping your turf at the recommended height for your grass type will help your lawn remain dense and healthy. A thicker lawn helps shade the soil, making it harder for weed seeds to receive the sunlight they need to germinate. If keeping up with regular mowing is difficult, Evergreen Lawn Care can help! We offer lawn service packages that include routine mowing of all turf areas to help keep your lawn dense, healthy, and weed-free.

Water Deeply & Infrequently

When it comes to watering your lawn, more doesn't necessarily mean better. In fact, frequent watering encourages shallow root growth and creates the ideal conditions for weeds like dollarweed to thrive. Instead, you should water your lawn deeply but less frequently. Deep, infrequent watering encourages grass to grow stronger and deeper roots, resulting in a more resilient lawn that's better able to crowd out weeds. Not sure if your sprinkler system is providing your lawn with proper watering? We offer professional irrigation services designed to ensure your lawn gets the hydration it needs to stay healthy.

Contact Us For Lawn Care Services In Gainesville, FL!

Don't let pesky weeds ruin your lawn's beauty — call Evergreen Lawn Care for professional lawn maintenance services in Gainesville and the surrounding areas! Our lawn care specialists offer a variety of services designed to keep your lawn green, healthy, and weed-free all year long. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services or to request a free estimate!