Greater plantain
Learn how to clear greater plantain from your lawn.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to act | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Greater plantain grows in borders, but is able to survive in the compacted soil of lawns. With its deep tap root, it's able to survive and re-grow when the top of the plant is cut off. If left, it will compete with plants for light, water and nutrients, and lead to bare patches on the lawn.
Symptoms
A clump of leaves growing from a single spot or multiple points. Tall, stringy flower stalks are topped by a dense green cone of small flowers, which turns brown and felty as seeds form.
Find it on
established flowerbeds, cracks in paving, garden walls, lawns
Organic
Dig out the whole tap root using a knife or spike-like daisy grubber. Also, make sure you remove the flower spikes before they get a chance to produce seed.
Chemical
In paving or flowerbeds, apply a systemic weedkiller to the foliage of greater plantains. In lawns, use a selective lawn weedkiller or a lawn feed and weed product.
Festive subscription offer
Save 51% on the shop price. Subscribe to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine today and get 6 months of free seeds for Spring 2025.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
Discover our new digital travel brochure
Whether it's a thrilling Arctic cruise or a charming getaway to historic Bath, our NEW travel brochure has exciting options for everyone.
Discover Dangerous Plants
From witchcraft to murder mysteries, uncover the power of plants in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
