Pennywort, often called dollar weed due to its coin-shaped leaves, is a persistent broadleaf weed that can overrun your lawn, creating unsightly patches and choking out your grass. Thriving in wet, warm conditions, pennywort spreads rapidly via creeping stems and rhizomes, making it a formidable foe for homeowners seeking a flawless turf. Mastering how to get rid of pennywort in lawn is essential for restoring your yard’s lush, uniform appearance. Whether you’re battling a few scattered plants or a widespread infestation, this guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to identify pennywort, understand its causes, apply effective removal methods, and prevent its return. From natural ways to get rid of pennywort to chemical solutions, we’ve got you covered with practical strategies for lawn weed control for pennywort. Let’s reclaim your lawn!
What is Pennywort?
Pennywort (Hydrocotyle spp.), also known as dollar weed or marsh pennywort, is a low-growing, perennial weed native to tropical and subtropical regions. Common in humid areas like the southeastern United States, Australia, and parts of Asia, pennywort is notorious for invading lawns with its rapid-spreading growth. Its round, glossy leaves and ability to thrive in moist soils make it both distinctive and challenging to control. While sometimes used as an ornamental ground cover, pennywort’s aggressive spread disrupts the uniformity of grass lawns.
Key Characteristics:
- Leaves: Round, shiny, scalloped-edged leaves (1–2 inches wide), resembling small lily pads, attached to a central stalk.
- Flowers: Tiny, white or greenish, star-shaped flowers in umbrella-like clusters, blooming in summer.
- Growth Habit: Spreads via creeping stems (stolons) and underground rhizomes, forming dense, mat-like patches.
- Root System: Shallow, fibrous roots with rhizomes that regenerate if not fully removed.
Pennywort’s love for wet conditions and its prolific growth make it a prime target for lawn weed control.
How to Identify Pennywort in Lawn
Accurately identifying pennywort ensures you’re targeting the right weed, as it can be confused with dichondra or other low-growing plants. Here’s how to spot pennywort in your lawn:
- Leaves: Look for glossy, round leaves with scalloped edges, attached to long petioles (stalks) from the plant’s center. Leaves often have radiating veins.
- Growth Pattern: Forms dense, spreading mats that crowd out grass, especially in moist or shady areas.
- Flowers: Small, white, umbrella-shaped flower clusters appear in summer, though not all plants flower.
- Location: Thrives in wet, poorly drained soils, often in low spots, overwatered lawns, or near irrigation systems.
Pro Tip: Unlike dichondra, which has kidney-shaped leaves, pennywort’s leaves are perfectly round with a central stalk. Check damp lawn areas in spring or summer, where pennywort is most visible.
Causes of Pennywort Growth in Lawns
Pennywort thrives in conditions that give it an advantage over grass. Understanding these causes helps you address the problem at its root:
- Excessive Moisture: Pennywort loves wet soils, flourishing in overwatered lawns, areas with poor drainage, or regions with heavy rainfall.
- Compacted Soil: Hard, compacted soil weakens grass, allowing pennywort’s shallow roots to dominate.
- Improper Mowing: Cutting grass too short creates gaps for pennywort to invade and spread.
- Poor Drainage: Low-lying areas, clay soils, or clogged drainage systems create ideal wet conditions for pennywort.
- Thin Grass: Sparse or weak grass from shade, nutrient deficiencies, or drought invites pennywort to take hold.
Correcting these conditions is crucial for effective lawn maintenance after pennywort treatment and long-term control.
How to Get Rid of Pennywort in Lawn
Eliminating pennywort requires targeting its creeping stems, rhizomes, and seeds to prevent regrowth. Below are three effective methods—manual removal, organic solutions, and chemical herbicides—catering to preferences for natural ways to get rid of pennywort or faster chemical options.
Manual Removal
Hand-pulling or digging pennywort is a chemical-free option, ideal for small infestations or those prioritizing organic methods to remove pennywort.
- Tools Needed: Garden trowel, weeding fork, or a specialized weed puller (e.g., Stand-Up Weeder).
- Steps:
- Lightly water the lawn to soften soil, making roots easier to extract.
- Dig around the pennywort plant, targeting the central root, stolons, and rhizomes.
- Gently pull to remove the entire plant, ensuring no roots remain.
- Dispose of pennywort in a sealed bag to prevent rerooting, and reseed bare spots with your desired grass.
- Pros: Eco-friendly, precise, cost-effective.
- Cons: Time-consuming; missed rhizomes can lead to regrowth.
Tip: Remove pennywort before it flowers to prevent seed spread. Regular inspections help maintain controlling pennywort in lawn naturally.
Organic Solutions
For environmentally conscious homeowners, these natural ways to kill pennywort are safe for pets, kids, and pollinators:
- Horticultural Vinegar: Mix 20% acetic acid vinegar with a few drops of dish soap. Spray on pennywort leaves on a sunny day to burn foliage. Household vinegar (5%) works for young plants but may need repeat applications.
- Corn Gluten Meal: Apply 10–20 lbs per 1,000 sq ft in early spring as a pre-emergent to suppress pennywort seed germination. It also boosts grass health.
- Smothering: Cover pennywort patches with black plastic, cardboard, or heavy mulch for 4–6 weeks to block sunlight and kill the plant.
- Boiling Water: Pour over pennywort in non-lawn areas (e.g., patios) to scald leaves and roots. Less practical for large lawn infestations.
Pros: Safe for the environment, supports organic methods to remove pennywort.
Cons: May require multiple treatments; less effective on mature plants with deep rhizomes.
Chemical Herbicides
For widespread or stubborn pennywort, chemical herbicides provide fast results. Here’s how to choose the best herbicide for pennywort:
- Selective Herbicides: Products with 2,4-D, dicamba, or fluroxypyr (e.g., Ortho WeedClear, SpeedZone) target broadleaf weeds like pennywort without harming grass. Apply with a pump sprayer for even coverage.
- Non-Selective Herbicides: Glyphosate (e.g., Roundup) kills pennywort and all plants, so use it for spot treatments in non-lawn areas. Wait 7–10 days before reseeding.
- Application Tips:
- Apply in spring or early summer when pennywort is actively growing.
- Follow label instructions to avoid overuse or harm to beneficial plants.
- Avoid windy or rainy days to prevent drift or runoff.
- Pros: Quick, effective for large infestations.
- Cons: Potential harm to pollinators or nearby plants if misapplied; use cautiously.
Best Time of Year to Remove Pennywort
Timing is critical for effective pennywort control. The best seasons are:
- Spring: Pennywort is young and actively growing, making it vulnerable to manual removal, vinegar sprays, or herbicides. Treat before flowering to prevent seed spread.
- Early Summer: Warm temperatures enhance herbicide absorption, but avoid extreme heat when plants are stressed.
- Fall: A secondary window for spot treatments, as pennywort remains active in mild climates.
Avoid removal during peak summer heat or winter dormancy, when pennywort may not respond well to treatments. Consistent lawn maintenance after pennywort treatment prevents regrowth.
Prevention Tips to Avoid Pennywort Regrowth
Once pennywort is removed, prevent its return with these strategies for controlling pennywort in lawn naturally:
- Improve Drainage: Fix low spots, aerate clay soils, or install drainage systems to reduce moisture, pennywort’s primary ally.
- Mow High: Set your mower to 3–4 inches to promote dense grass growth, shading out pennywort seedlings.
- Water Smart: Provide 1 inch of water weekly, watering early in the day to allow soil to dry, discouraging pennywort.
- Fertilize Regularly: Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 16-4-8 NPK) to strengthen grass, reducing pennywort’s ability to compete.
- Overseed Thin Areas: Plant moisture-tolerant grasses (e.g., St. Augustine, zoysia) in wet climates to fill gaps and crowd out pennywort.
- Apply Pre-Emergents: Use corn gluten meal or chemical pre-emergents (e.g., prodiamine) in early spring to block pennywort seed germination.
Conclusion
Mastering how to get rid of pennywort in lawn empowers you to restore a lush, uniform lawn free from this invasive weed. Whether you choose manual removal, organic methods to remove pennywort like vinegar or smothering, or the best herbicide for pennywort like 2,4-D-based products, a strategic approach ensures success. Pair removal with prevention—improving drainage, mowing high, and fertilizing—to keep pennywort gone for good. Start today to enjoy a healthy, pennywort-free lawn all season long!
Frequently Asked Questions about Pennywort
What kills pennywort?
Manual removal, organic solutions like horticultural vinegar or corn gluten meal, and selective herbicides with 2,4-D, dicamba, or fluroxypyr kill pennywort. Combining methods ensures effective lawn weed control for pennywort.
Will pennywort go away on its own?
No, pennywort persists without intervention due to its creeping stems, rhizomes, and seeds. It thrives in moist conditions, outcompeting grass unless controlled.
Is pennywort dangerous to pets?
Pennywort is generally non-toxic to pets, but large amounts may cause mild digestive upset. Monitor pets and consult a vet if concerns arise.
Can pennywort damage my lawn mower?
Pennywort’s dense mats can clog mower blades or spread rhizomes, worsening infestations. Mow high (3–4 inches) and clean the mower deck after use.
Should I call a professional for pennywort removal?
DIY methods work for small infestations. For widespread pennywort or drainage issues, a professional can apply targeted treatments and recommend lawn maintenance after pennywort treatment for lasting results.