8 Common Winter Weeds—and How to Get Rid of Them, According to Gardening Experts

Bittercress

Bittercress (Cardamine spp.) is an annual weed that emerges in the fall. If allowed to go to seed, it will germinate and grow until late spring, says private estate gardener Adrienne Roethling. "Often, we see them germinate around the same time we aerate, seed, and fertilize our lawns," she says.

Bittercress is quite tough and grows in most regions of the country. "Mulching your beds with a 2-inch layer of double ground mulch can help suppress and kill emerging seedlings," says Roethling. If that doesn't work, bittercress is easy to pull out of the ground by hand. After removing bittercress, discard all of the plant, including the roots so it doesn't spread more.

Chickweed

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is an annual plant that forms a flat rosette that produces tiny, white, star-shaped flowers. "Though this plant is edible and attracts pollinators, it can be a nuisance in the winter landscape," says Roethling. It thrives in cool weather and pops up in most regions throughout North America.

Applying a layer of double-ground shredded mulch may suppress chickweed, but you can also try hand-pulling. Another option is to grow a groundcover plant like creeping thyme that will outcompete chickweed. "Creeping thyme's dense, spreading growth shades the soil, making it difficult for chickweed to establish," says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app. "Plant thyme in the fall to create a continuous cover before chickweed emerges."

Hairy Chickweed

Hairy chickweed (Cerastium holosteoides) is similar to common chickweed, but has small hairs over the leaves and stems. "Chickweed  thrives in moist soils, but will also find itself growing in dry soils and both sun and shade," says Roethling. It grows in most regions throughout North America.

These plants are less tough than common chickweed, so they're easier to get rid of. Turf grass may suppress it from germinating. If not, safe measures of eradication include applying a heavy layer of double-ground shredded mulch and hand pulling, says Roethling. "A post emergent herbicide would work, but one would have to use caution, apply directly on the plant, avoid spray drift, and be mindful of pollinators," she says.  

Deadnettle

Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule), also known as henbit, is a winter annual that spreads readily by seed, says Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. Luckily, it has a shallow root system that makes it easy to remove, but the entire root must be pulled out of the soil to get rid of it successfully, she says.

This plant is in the mint family, so it can easily take over desired areas if it's not controlled. "Deadnettle thrives in most soil types, performs in most regions of the country, and is used for erosion control," says Roethling.

Wild Onion

Wild onion (Allium vineale) is known as an attractive plant, but once it flowers and sets bulbs it can be a nuisance. "Be careful, as onion grass can disperse just about anywhere," says Roethling. "It is a bulbous perennial and will find itself coming up in your lawn, garden beds, and other areas where least expected."

The best way to get rid of wild onion, also known as grass onion or field onion, is to hand pull it. "Spray does nothing, mowing will not work, pre-emergent granules do not combat bulbous perennials, and no amount of herbicide will kill it," says Roethling. "Do not let the bulbs form after flowering, as they will hitchhike onto equipment and clothing."

Slender Speedwell

Slender speedwell (Veronica filiformis) spreads through stolons. "When plants mature, they spread to several feet in either direction. Stems root into the ground and continue to grow," says Roethling. "It will compete with turf grass as well as other groundcovers."

Hand pulling can help eradicate slender speedwell, but it won't be effective if the roots are left behind. Another way to combat growth is by laying ground fabric or cardboard over the plant.

Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederaceae) is an aggressive weed that can spread prolifically in areas where winters are mild. To suppress it, plant a groundcover like creeping thyme or Irish moss in areas where creeping Charlie usually grows. "This aggressive weed struggles to compete with creeping thyme in sunny or lightly shaded areas," says Spoonemore. "Use thyme as a cover to starve creeping Charlie of space and sunlight, especially in spots prone to invasion."

Groundsel

Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is an invasive weed that thrives in cold weather. To suppress it, plant Irish moss in early spring so it grows a thick carpet that prevents groundsel seeds from germinating. "Irish moss forms a lush, low-growing carpet that completely smothers weeds by covering bare soil," says Spoonemore. "Its dense foliage prevents light from reaching weed seeds, halting their growth."