Weeds With Purple Flowers

If you’ve ever looked at your garden and spotted weeds with purple flowers, you might have felt a mix of frustration and admiration. These tenacious plants are often both beautiful and resilient, popping up in the most unexpected places. While many gardeners see them as a nuisance, others appreciate their hardy nature and the splash of color they provide. This article will help you identify common purple-flowered weeds, understand their role in the ecosystem, and decide whether to remove them or let them stay.

Let’s get to know some of the most frequent purple-flowered visitors. Recognizing them is the first step in making informed decisions about your garden.

Common Purple-Flowered Weeds in Lawns and Gardens

You’ll likely encounter these plants. Some are annuals, coming back from seed each year, while others are perennials with deep root systems.

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea): This perennial ground cover has scalloped leaves and small, funnel-shaped purple flowers. It spreads aggressively via runners and can quickly take over a lawn.
Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum): A common winter annual with triangular leaves and tiny hooded purple flowers. It often appears in early spring and, despite its name, is not a true nettle and doesn’t sting.
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule): Looks similar to dead nettle but with leaves that clasp the stem. It’s also a winter annual with tubular purple flowers that bees love.
Wild Violets (Viola sororia): These perennials have heart-shaped leaves and charming purple flowers. They spread through rhizomes and seeds, forming dense clumps that are tough to eradicate.
Thistles (Cirsium spp.): Several thistle species sport purple flowers. They are biennial or perennial with spiny leaves and a deep taproot, making them very resilient.
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris): A low-growing perennial with oval leaves and a distinctive cylindrical head of purple flowers. It’s often found in lawns and meadows.

Why Are These Weeds So Resilient?

Their ability to thrive where other plants struggle isn’t an accident. These weeds have evolved clever survival strategies.

Adaptive Root Systems: Many, like thistles and violets, have deep taproots or extensive rhizome networks that access water and nutrients deep in the soil and allow them to regrow if the top is removed.
Rapid Reproduction: They produce a massive amount of seeds that can lay dormant in the soil for years, waiting for the right conditions to germinate. Some, like Creeping Charlie, also spread vegetatively.
Early Growth: Winter annuals like henbit and dead nettle grow and bloom early, giving them a head start before you even think about gardening in the spring.
Low-Growing Habit: Many hug the ground, avoiding mower blades and grazing animals, which allows them to set seed even in frequently mowed lawns.

To Pull or To Keep? Evaluating Their Role

Not every weed needs to be waged war on. Consider these points before you take action.

Benefits of Keeping Some:

Pollinator Support: Their flowers provide crucial early-season nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects when little else is in bloom.
Soil Health: Some weeds have deep roots that help break up compacted soil and bring minerals to the surface. When they die, they add organic matter.
Ground Cover: They prevent soil erosion on bare patches and can outcompete even less desirable plants.
Edible or Medicinal Uses: Plants like purple dead nettle and violets are edible and can be used in salads or teas. Always be 100% certain of identification before consuming any plant.

Reasons for Removal:

Aggressiveness: If they are outcompeting your desired lawn grass or garden plants for light, water, and nutrients.
Aesthetic Preference: You simply want a uniform lawn or a specific garden design.
Allergies: Some people may have allergic reactions to their pollen.

How to Manage Purple-Flowered Weeds Effectively

If you decide removal is necessary, here are the most effective methods. Consistency is key, as these plants are persistent.

Manual Removal Techniques

This is the most eco-friendly approach. The trick is to get the entire root system.

For Taprooted Weeds (Thistles, Dandelions): Use a dandelion weeder or a long, narrow trowel. Insert it deep beside the root, lever, and try to lift the entire root out. Any piece left behind can regrow.
For Creeping Weeds (Creeping Charlie, Violets): You’ll need to gently loosen the soil with a garden fork and carefully trace and remove all the runners and rhizomes. This is easier in moist soil.
For Winter Annuals (Henbit, Dead Nettle): Pull or hoe them easily in early spring before they set seed. This can significantly reduce next year’s population.

Cultural and Organic Controls

Change the conditions to make them less favorable for weeds and more favorable for your grass or plants.

Improve Lawn Health: A thick, healthy lawn is the best defense. Aerate compacted soil, overseed with appropriate grass seed, and fertilize properly. Weeds struggle to establish in dense turf.
Use Mulch: In garden beds, apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (wood chips, straw) to block light and prevent weed seeds from germinating.
Mow High: Set your mower blade higher. Taller grass shades the soil, making it harder for weed seeds to sprout and grow.

When Considering Herbicides

Use these as a last resort and always with great care. Always read and follow the label instructions exactly.

For Broadleaf Weeds in Lawns: Use a selective post-emergent herbicide labeled for your specific weed (e.g., “for Creeping Charlie”) that won’t harm grass. Apply in fall when weeds are actively sending nutrients to their roots.
Spot Treatment: Instead of spraying the whole lawn, use a sponge or brush to apply herbicide directly to the leaves of the weed, minimizing chemical use.
Natural Alternatives: Horticultural vinegar or iron-based herbicides can be effective on young annual weeds but often require multiple applications and may harm surrounding plants if not applied carefully.

Embracing the Beauty: A Case for Tolerance

Perhaps you’re starting to see these plants in a new light. Allowing some purple-flowered weeds can create a more natural, low-maintenance landscape.

Consider designating a “wild” area in your yard where these plants are allowed to flourish. A patch of violets and selfheal under a tree can look intentional and lovely. You can also encourage native species like violets while managing more aggressive non-natives like Creeping Charlie. The key is balance—enjoying their beauty and ecological benefits without letting them overwhelm your entire garden plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the weeds with little purple flowers called?

Common ones include Creeping Charlie, Purple Dead Nettle, Henbit, and Selfheal. They often have small, numerous blooms.

Are purple flower weeds good for anything?

Yes! Many are excellent early food sources for pollinators. Some, like violets and dead nettle, are edible. They also help prevent soil erosion.

How do I permanently get rid of purple clover weeds?

While “permanent” is hard with weeds, you can supress them by improving lawn density through proper fertilization, aeration, and overseeding. For immediate control, manual removal or a selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds can be effective.

Is Creeping Charlie the same as purple dead nettle?

No, they are different plants. Creeping Charlie is a perennial with rounded, scalloped leaves and runners. Purple dead nettle is an annual with triangular, upper leaves that appear reddish-purple and does not have runners.

Should I pull up wild violets?

That depends on your goal. If they are spreading where you don’t want them, pull diligently, ensuring you get the entire root system. If you like them, they make a nice spring ground cover in shady areas.

Ultimately, weeds with purple flowers challenge our idea of a “perfect” garden. Their resilience is a testament to nature’s adaptability. By understanding them better, you can make choises that benefit both your garden’s look and the local ecosystem. Whether you decide to remove them or let them bee, you’re now equipped with the knowledge to manage your green space confidently.