The bindi plant, also known as bindii or lawn burr, is a common and unwelcome weed in many lawns. This low-growing annual is particularly known for the sharp, spiky burrs it produces. These burrs can cause discomfort to bare feet and pets. Effective management of this nuisance plant requires understanding its characteristics and implementing control strategies.
Identifying Bindi Plant
The bindi plant (Soliva sessilis) is identifiable by several distinct features. It forms a low-growing rosette of finely divided, fern-like leaves that resemble parsley or carrot tops. Its leaves are typically green and somewhat hairy. The plant spreads outwards with creeping stems, called stolons, which produce additional rosettes and form a mat-like ground cover.
Small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers develop close to the ground, often nestled within the leaf axils. These flowers mature into hard, spiky burrs or seed pods. The burrs contain sharp-needled seeds, the plant’s primary means of dispersal.
Why Bindi Plant is a Problem
The bindi plant is a lawn pest primarily due to its sharp, painful burrs. These dried seed pods easily puncture bare feet, injure pets’ paws, and embed in clothing or toys. This makes lawns uncomfortable and can spread seeds.
It is problematic due to its rapid spread and ability to outcompete desirable turfgrass. It thrives in thin or poorly maintained areas where grass growth is not dense. Its annual life cycle, germinating in autumn and winter and producing prolific seeds in spring and summer, contributes to its persistence. This aggressive growth can lead to patches of bindi displacing healthy grass.
Effective Control Methods
Addressing existing bindi plant infestations involves both non-chemical and chemical approaches. Control efforts are ideally timed before the plant produces its spiky seeds.
Cultural and Manual Approaches
For smaller infestations, manual removal is effective. Hand-weeding is effective, especially when the ground is soft after rain and before burrs form. Remove the entire plant, including the taproot, to prevent regrowth.
Cultural practices discourage bindi by promoting a healthy, dense lawn that outcompetes weeds. Maintaining a proper mowing height, keeping the grass slightly taller, helps shade the soil and makes it less favorable for weed seed germination. Adequate watering and aeration improve soil health and grass vigor, strengthening the turf against weed invasion.
Chemical Control Options
Chemical control is a solution for larger bindi infestations. Herbicides are categorized as pre-emergent or post-emergent. Pre-emergent herbicides are applied in late winter or early spring to prevent bindi seeds from germinating.
Post-emergent herbicides are applied directly to existing bindi plants to kill them. Many broadleaf weed killers are effective against bindi, often containing 2,4-D, MCPA, or dicamba. Select a selective herbicide that targets bindi without harming your specific type of lawn grass, as some products may not be suitable for certain varieties like Buffalo grass.
Apply when bindi plants are actively growing, ideally in winter or early spring before they produce seeds. Always follow product label instructions regarding application rates, safety, and timing, including wearing protective gear. Repeat applications may be necessary for severe infestations or to control new growth.
Preventing Future Infestations
Preventing future bindi infestations requires maintaining a robust and healthy lawn. Consistent lawn maintenance is the best defense against this persistent weed. Regularly fertilizing your lawn provides essential nutrients that promote strong, dense grass growth, which crowds out weeds.
Overseeding thin or bare areas with desirable grass varieties helps fill gaps where bindi might take root. This creates a continuous, thick turf that offers less opportunity for weed seeds to germinate.
Ongoing monitoring for early signs of re-infestation allows prompt intervention. Addressing small patches quickly prevents them from spreading and becoming a larger problem. A healthy, well-maintained lawn is the most effective long-term strategy for keeping bindi at bay.