Top 17 Purple Flowering Weeds That Can Actually Benefit Your Lawn

Purple flowering weeds are often considered a nuisance in lawns and gardens, but did you know that some of them can actually benefit your lawn? These weeds are not only pretty to look at, but they also offer a range of benefits such as improving soil quality, attracting beneficial insects, and providing food for pollinators.

In this article, we’ll explore the top 17+ purple flowering weeds that you may want to reconsider pulling out of your lawn. From the strikingly beautiful purple deadnettle to the delicate purple vetch, each of these weeds has unique characteristics that make them worth keeping around.

So, before you reach for your weed killer, read on to discover how these purple flowering weeds can actually work in your favor and enhance the overall health of your lawn.

List of the top 17+ purple flowering weeds

Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)

Purple deadnettle is a common weed that is found throughout North America. It is a member of the mint family and is easily identified by its square stem and opposite leaves. The heart-shaped leaves have a slightly hairy texture. From March to November, the flowers are small and purple, and they bloom. Purple deadnettle is a winter annual weed, which means it germinates in the fall and grows throughout the winter months.

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)

Henbit is a mint family member that is closely related to purple deadnettle. It is also a winter annual weed and is easily identified by its square stem and opposite leaves. The leaves are similar to those of purple deadnettle, but they are more deeply serrated. Henbit flowers are pink or purple and bloom from March to May.

Purple Vetch (Vicia benghalensis)

Purple vetch is an annual or biennial weed that belongs to the pea family. It has a climbing or trailing habit and can grow up to 6 feet long. The leaves are pinnately compound and have up to 12 leaflets. The flowers are purple and bloom from May to September.

Purple Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Purple clover is a perennial weed that grows all over North America. It is a member of the pea family and is easily identified by its trifoliate leaves. The flowers are pink or purple and bloom from May to September.Because it fixes nitrogen in the soil, purple clover is commonly used as a cover crop.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflower is a native plant that can be found all over North America. It is a perennial plant that grows up to 5 feet tall. The leaves are lanceolate and have a rough texture. From June to August, the flowers are large and purple, and they bloom.Purple coneflower is often used as a medicinal herb because it has immune-boosting properties.

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Purple loosestrife is a perennial weed found in Europe and Asia. It has spread across North America and is now considered an invasive species in some areas. The leaves are lanceolate and have a glossy texture. Pink or purple flowers bloom from June to August. Purple loosestrife is often found growing in wetlands and along stream banks.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Red clover is a perennial weed that grows all over North America. It is a member of the pea family and is easily identified by its trifoliate leaves. Pink or purple flowers bloom from May to September. Because it fixes nitrogen in the soil, red clover is commonly used as a cover crop.

Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis)

Wild indigo is a North American native perennial plant. It grows up to 6 feet tall and has blue-green leaves that are divided into three leaflets. The purple flowers bloom from May to June. Wild indigo is often used as a medicinal herb because it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Chicory is a perennial weed that grows all over North America. It has a taproot that can grow up to 2 feet deep. The leaves are lanceolate in shape and slightly hairy. The flowers are blue or purple and bloom from July to October. Chicory is commonly used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute because the roots can be roasted and ground.

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)

Creeping Charlie is a weed that grows all over North America. It can grow up to 12 inches tall and has a trailing habit. The kidney-shaped leaves are slightly hairy. Purple flowers bloom from April to June.Creeping Charlie is often used as a medicinal herb because it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

Ajuga is a perennial plant found in Europe and Asia. It has spread throughout North America and is frequently used as a ground cover. The leaves are oval in shape and slightly hairy.The flowers are purple or blue and bloom from April to June.

Crown Vetch (Securigera varia)

Crown vetch is a perennial plant found in Europe and Asia. It has spread throughout North America and is frequently used as a ground cover. The leaves are pinnately compound and have up to 15 leaflets.The pink or purple flowers bloom from May to August.

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Wild geranium is a North American native perennial plant. It forms clumps and can grow up to 2 feet tall. The palmately divided leaves have a slightly hairy texture. The pink or purple flowers bloom from May to July.

Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

The biennial or perennial plant Dame’s rocket is native to Europe and Asia. It has spread across North America and is frequently found growing in disturbed areas. The leaves are lanceolate in shape and slightly hairy. The flowers are purple or white and bloom from May to June.

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Field bindweed is a perennial weed that is found throughout North America.It can grow up to 10 feet long and has a trailing habit. The arrow-shaped leaves have a slightly hairy texture.The flowers are white or pink and bloom from June to September.

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

Smooth sumac is a shrub that is native to North America. It can reach a height of 20 feet and has smooth, grey bark. The leaves are pinnately compound and have up to 31 leaflets. The flowers are greenish-yellow and bloom from May to July. The fruit is a red drupe that is often used to make a tart, lemonade-like beverage.

Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis)

Wild petunia is a North American native perennial plant. It forms clumps and can grow up to 2 feet tall. The leaves are lanceolate in shape and slightly hairy.The flowers are purple or blue and bloom from June to September.

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Tips for controlling and managing these weeds

While these purple flowering weeds can be beneficial for your lawn, they can also become invasive if left unchecked.It’s critical to keep these weeds under control so they don’t take over your lawn. Here are some tips for controlling and managing these weeds:

Mow your lawn regularly to prevent weeds from going to seed.

To prevent weed growth, use organic mulch around plants.

Weeds should be pulled by hand as soon as they appear.

Use a natural weed killer, such as vinegar or boiling water, to kill weeds.

To keep weed seeds from germinating, use a weed barrier fabric.

Rotate your crops to prevent the buildup of weed seeds in the soil.

Use companion planting to deter weed growth.

To promote healthy grass growth, practise good lawn care, including proper watering and fertilisation.

Conclusion

Many gardens and lawns are home to purple-flowered weeds. Even while some of these weeds are attractive, they may also be difficult to manage and may stifle the growth of natural plants. Purple-blooming weeds can be eradicated using a variety of techniques, including hand pulling, hoeing, mulching, and herbicide application. It is critical to choose the approach that is best suited to your specific situation.