What Are the Weeds With Purple Flowers Called?
Every spring I walk my lawn with a cup of coffee and a trowel, looking for trouble. Purple flowers often catch my eye first — a splash of color that can be charming at a distance but usually signals a weed that’s moved in. If you’ve ever wondered “what are the weeds with purple flowers called,” this guide will help you identify the usual suspects, tell you why they appear, and offer practical control tips based on years of hands-on gardening.
Common Purple-Flowered Weeds You’ll Find in Lawns and Gardens
Here are the most frequent purple-flowered weeds homeowners see. I list identification points and quick notes on where they often show up.
- Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) — Small, scalloped leaves and tiny purple-to-blue tubular flowers in spring. Creeps across lawns and garden beds on creeping stems.
- Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) — Delicate, tubular purple blooms and round-ish leaves that clasp the stem. Often appears in cool seasons in bare patches of lawn.
- Purple Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) — Similar to henbit but with distinctive purplish top leaves. Common in disturbed soils and garden edges.
- Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) — Small spikes of deep purple flowers close to the ground. Found in lawns and moist, compacted soils.
- Wild Violets (Viola sororia and other Viola spp.) — Heart-shaped leaves and classic violet blooms. Can spread by seed and rhizomes, making them persistent.
- Common Mallow (Malva neglecta) — Round, shallowly lobed leaves and pale purple to pink saucer-shaped flowers. Often shows up in compacted, sunny soil.
- Periwinkle (Vinca minor) — Glossy evergreen leaves with star-shaped purple flowers; commonly used as groundcover but can become invasive.
- Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) — Bell-shaped purple flowers on tall stalks; highly invasive in garden beds and difficult to eradicate.
- Thistles (Cirsium spp.) — Spiny plants with tufted purple flower heads. Visible in neglected areas and pasture edges.
- Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) — Daisy-like purple flower heads that colonize disturbed soils and roadsides.
How to Tell Them Apart: Identification Tips from the Garden
When I first started gardening I mixed up henbit and purple dead-nettle all the time. A few quick checks will clear things up:
- Look at the leaves: Are they round, scalloped, heart-shaped, or clasping the stem?
- Check the flower shape: Tubular blooms suggest dead-nettles and ground ivy; bell-shaped indicate bellflower; flat saucers point to mallow or violets.
- Growth habit matters: Creeping stems mean ground ivy and periwinkle; upright spikes indicate selfheal or thistles.
- Season of appearance: Henbit and dead-nettle appear in cool seasons; violets often bloom in spring; thistles and knapweed show up later.
Quote: “A good hand lens, a pocket field guide, and a little time on your knees are all you need to stop guessing and start identifying.”
Why These Purple Flowers Appear in Your Lawn
Most of the purple-flowered weeds thrive in conditions that lawns and beds sometimes provide: compacted soil, bare patches, low fertility, or inconsistent mowing. Birds and wind deliver seeds, and once a weed gets foothold it often spreads rapidly. Some are opportunists that take advantage of thin turf; others are aggressive groundcovers or deep-rooted invaders.
Simple, Effective Control Methods
I’ve found that a combined approach works best — prevention plus targeted removal. Here’s what I do and recommend.
- Improve lawn health: Thick, healthy turf crowds out many weeds. Mow at the recommended height, aerate compacted soil, and overseed bare spots.
- Hand-pull young weeds: Henbit, ground ivy, and violets come out easily if you get the roots. Pull after rain when soil is loose.
- Mulch garden beds: A 2–3 inch mulch layer stops many seeds from taking root and reduces the need to weed constantly.
- Targeted herbicides: Use spot treatments when infestations are severe. Read labels carefully — some broadleaf herbicides can harm desirable plants.
- Regular monitoring: Check beds and lawn edges weekly in spring and fall to remove new seedlings before they flower and set seed.
Personal Experience: The Battle with Creeping Bellflower
I fought creeping bellflower in my back border for three seasons. It reseeded and sent roots deeper than I expected. Ultimately I dug out large sections, got down to the roots, and replaced the soil in hotspots. I also planted strong, competitive perennials that shaded the ground. It’s still a plant I watch closely, but the hard work paid off.
Quote: “Weeds are part of gardening — how you respond to them turns frustration into a cleaner, healthier garden.”
When to Celebrate the Purple
Not all purple-flowered plants are enemies. Some, like violets and certain mallows, offer nectar for bees and charm for gardeners. I leave small patches of violets in shady corners because they attract pollinators and look delightful. The trick is balancing aesthetics and control.
Final Thoughts
If you asked, “What are the weeds with purple flowers called,” you now have a solid list and the means to identify the likely candidates in your yard: ground ivy, henbit, purple dead-nettle, selfheal, wild violets, common mallow, periwinkle, creeping bellflower, thistles, and knapweed. Learn their habits, improve your soil and lawn health, and use a mix of hand-pulling, mulching, and careful spot treatments.
Gardening is part detective work, part elbow grease, and always a bit of patience. When a purple bloom turns up, take a closer look — sometimes it’s a welcome guest, and sometimes it’s the start of a project. Either way, you’ll know what to do next.
