Buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is a common and persistent perennial weed that often invades turfgrass and lawns. It is difficult to eliminate because of its growth habit and reproductive capabilities. The plant forms a deep, fibrous taproot system, allowing it to tolerate drought and compaction. It reproduces prolifically by producing numerous seeds on tall stalks, making a multi-pronged approach necessary for control.
Identifying Buckhorn Plantain
Buckhorn plantain is a low-growing broadleaf weed identified by its distinctive leaf structure. The leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and arranged in a tight, ground-hugging basal rosette. Unlike the broad, oval leaves of its cousin, broadleaf plantain, the buckhorn variety features prominent parallel veins running the length of the leaf blade.
From the center of the rosette, the plant sends up one or more leafless, hairy flower stalks that can reach up to 18 inches tall. These stalks are topped with a dense, cone-shaped spike of tiny, whitish-brown flowers that bloom from late spring through summer.
Non-Chemical Control Strategies
For smaller infestations, manual removal is an effective control method, provided the entire root structure is extracted. Buckhorn plantain is a perennial, meaning it will regrow if the crown remains in the soil. Hand-pulling is made significantly easier if the soil is moist, such as after a rain or deep watering, which loosens the surrounding dirt.
Specialized tools like a weeding fork, dandelion digger, or a narrow trowel should be used to loosen the soil around the weed before pulling. The goal is to pry the plant up, ensuring the root crown is completely removed to prevent regeneration. Removing the plant before it develops its characteristic flower spikes is particularly important to prevent the dispersal of new seeds.
The most effective long-term defense against Plantago lanceolata is maintaining a dense, healthy turfgrass stand that crowds out weed seedlings. Adjusting your mowing height to keep the grass taller than three inches shades the soil surface, which inhibits the germination of new plantain seeds. A thick lawn creates a competitive environment that new weeds struggle to penetrate.
Proper cultural practices also work to prevent the compacted soil conditions that buckhorn plantain prefers. This includes deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep turf roots. Aeration and dethatching should be performed periodically to relieve soil compaction and improve the overall health of the turf.
Chemical Treatment Options
When buckhorn plantain infestations are widespread and manual removal is no longer practical, selective broadleaf herbicides offer an efficient solution. These products are formulated to target broadleaf weeds without causing damage to the surrounding turfgrass. The most common and effective active ingredients found in these “three-way” or “four-way” weed killers include 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop (MCPP).
The ideal time for application is when the buckhorn plantain is actively growing, allowing the systemic herbicide to be transported down to the root system. This window occurs in the late spring or, more effectively, in the early fall when the plant is storing energy in its roots for winter dormancy. Temperatures should be moderate, between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, as extreme heat can reduce herbicide effectiveness or damage the turf.
Mature, well-established plants often require more than a single application for complete control due to their robust root systems. A follow-up application six to eight weeks after the initial treatment may be necessary, especially for older weeds. Always read and adhere to the product label instructions, including guidelines for personal protective equipment and application rates, to ensure safety and maximum effectiveness.
For lawns with scattered weeds, spot-treating individual plants with a ready-to-use spray is the most targeted and economical approach. This minimizes the amount of chemical applied to the entire lawn and reduces the risk of non-target injury to desirable plants. Care must be taken to avoid overspray or drift onto flowers, shrubs, or garden vegetables, particularly on windy days.