The sudden appearance of purple flowers in a lawn or garden bed often signals the arrival of spring, yet these small blooms can cause considerable confusion. Many different species of low-growing plants, both native and introduced, produce violet or purplish flowers early in the season before most turfgrasses fully emerge. These distinct species thrive in the cool, moist conditions of early spring. Correct identification is the first step toward understanding the plant’s role in your landscape, as these plants commonly share similar characteristics.
Identifying the Most Common Purple Culprits
The most common purple flowers seen in residential lawns belong to the mint family, alongside the perennial Wild Violet. Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) is a winter annual that forms dense patches, growing upright 4 to 8 inches. It is characterized by reddish-purple upper leaves clustered near the top of the stem, surrounding small, pinkish-purple, two-lipped flowers. A close relative, Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), is also a winter annual that blooms profusely in spring. Henbit produces tubular, purplish-pink flowers in whorls along the stem, usually growing low to the ground and sprawling outward.
Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), also known as ground ivy, is a perennial member of the mint family. This plant has a low, mat-forming growth habit, spreading aggressively via horizontal stems called stolons that root at the nodes. Its flowers are small, funnel-shaped, and bluish-purple, appearing in clusters in the leaf axils.
Wild Violets (Viola species) represent a separate plant family and are persistent perennial plants. These plants have glossy, heart-shaped leaves that arise from a central point, forming low rosettes. The flowers are typically deep violet, blue, or sometimes white, each borne on its own leafless stalk.
Key Features for Differentiation
Differentiation relies on examining the structural details of the stem and leaf attachment. The mint family members—Purple Deadnettle, Henbit, and Creeping Charlie—all share the characteristic square, four-sided stem. This feature immediately separates them from the Wild Violet, which lacks this structure.
Within the mint group, Henbit is uniquely identified by its upper leaves, which directly clasp the stem with no visible leaf stalk (petiole). In contrast, Purple Deadnettle leaves are attached to the stem by a short petiole and are more triangular or heart-shaped. Creeping Charlie is distinguished by its round to kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges, attached to the stem by long petioles. Wild Violets are differentiated by their thick, waxy, heart-shaped leaves, which are highly resistant to moisture and herbicides.
Management and Control Strategies
Successful management of these plants begins with accurate identification, as the control methods for annuals differ greatly from those for perennials.
Annuals (Henbit and Purple Deadnettle)
For winter annuals like Henbit and Purple Deadnettle, hand-pulling is highly effective because they have shallow root systems. Removing them before they set seed in late spring prevents thousands of new plants from germinating in the fall. Improving the overall health and density of the turfgrass is a foundational cultural practice that helps suppress all weeds by limiting light and space for germination.
Perennials (Creeping Charlie and Wild Violets)
Perennial plants present a much greater challenge due to their extensive underground rhizomes or stolons that store energy and allow for aggressive spread. Mechanical removal must be thorough, requiring the complete excavation of all root and stem fragments to prevent regrowth.
Chemical Control
Chemical control typically involves the use of selective broadleaf herbicides containing active ingredients such as triclopyr, often mixed with 2,4-D and dicamba. For Creeping Charlie and Wild Violets, applying a triclopyr-containing product in the fall is most effective. This is because the plants are actively transporting nutrients downward to their roots for winter storage, carrying the herbicide with them. Due to the waxy coating on violet leaves, adding a surfactant to the herbicide mixture can increase the chemical’s effectiveness. If the plant is a Wild Violet and considered a desirable native groundcover, no control is necessary.