Purple Flower Weeds: Identify, Control & Decide
Not all purple flowers are weeds! Learn to identify 15+ common purple flowering plants in your garden, understand which ones are beneficial, and discover effective control methods for truly problematic species.
Weed or Wildflower? Making the Call
Consider Your Goals
A plant is only a weed if it's growing where you don't want it
Ecological Value
Many "weeds" provide early nectar for pollinators when little else blooms
Native vs. Invasive
Native plants may deserve protection even if they're weedy in your specific location
Management Strategy
Sometimes management is better than elimination - create designated wildflower areas
Before You Remove...
Purple Flower Weed Identification Features
Leaf Shape
Heart-shaped leaves often indicate dead nettle or violet. Compound leaves suggest clover or vetch. Opposite leaves are common in mint family weeds.
Flower Structure
Tube-shaped flowers indicate mint family (dead nettle, henbit). Five-petaled flowers suggest violet. Clustered round flowers indicate clover.
Growth Pattern
Creeping, mat-forming growth indicates ground ivy. Upright growth suggests selfheal or wild bergamot. Climbing habit indicates vetch.
Scent
Minty smell when crushed indicates ground ivy or wild bergamot. Mild, pleasant scent often means the weed has beneficial properties.
Timing
Early spring bloomers (henbit, dead nettle) are cool-season annuals. Summer bloomers are typically perennials that are harder to control.
💡 Pro Tip
Take photos from multiple angles (whole plant, leaves, flowers, growth pattern) and note the location, soil conditions, and surrounding plants. This information helps with accurate identification and appropriate control strategies.
Common Purple Flowering "Weeds"
Purple Dead Nettle
Moderate InvasivenessLamium purpureum
Heart-shaped leaves with purple tinge, small purple flowers in clusters
Control Methods
- • Hand pulling
- • Pre-emergent herbicide
- • Dense grass planting
Potential Benefits
Early nectar for bees, edible leaves
Violet (Wild)
High InvasivenessViola sororia
Heart-shaped leaves, purple or white flowers with yellow center
Control Methods
- • Selective herbicide
- • Repeated hand pulling
- • Improve lawn density
Potential Benefits
Native plant, butterfly host, edible flowers
Henbit
Moderate InvasivenessLamium amplexicaule
Rounded leaves that clasp the stem, small pink-purple flowers
Control Methods
- • Pre-emergent in fall
- • Post-emergent herbicide
- • Hand pulling
Potential Benefits
Early pollinator food, edible when young
Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie)
Very High InvasivenessGlechoma hederacea
Round, scalloped leaves, small blue-purple flowers, mint scent when crushed
Control Methods
- • Borax treatment
- • Selective herbicide
- • Improve drainage and light
Potential Benefits
Traditional medicinal uses, ground cover
Purple Clover
Moderate InvasivenessTrifolium pratense
Three-leaflet leaves, globe-shaped purple-pink flowers
Control Methods
- • Selective herbicide
- • Regular mowing
- • Nitrogen fertilizer
Potential Benefits
Nitrogen fixation, pollinator food, livestock feed
Selfheal
Low InvasivenessPrunella vulgaris
Oval leaves, purple flower spikes with hooded blooms
Control Methods
- • Regular mowing
- • Hand pulling
- • Selective herbicide
Potential Benefits
Native plant, medicinal uses, low maintenance ground cover
Wild Bergamot
Moderate (can spread) InvasivenessMonarda fistulosa
Opposite leaves, lavender-purple clustered flowers, minty scent
Control Methods
- • Root barrier
- • Regular division
- • Selective removal
Potential Benefits
Native pollinator magnet, medicinal and culinary uses
Vetch
High InvasivenessVicia cracca
Compound leaves with tendrils, dense purple flower clusters
Control Methods
- • Systemic herbicide
- • Repeated cutting
- • Competition planting
Potential Benefits
Nitrogen fixation, wildlife food, erosion control
Effective Control Strategies by Method
🌱 Prevention First
- • Dense, healthy lawn prevents weeds
- • Proper fertilization timing
- • Pre-emergent herbicides in fall
- • Overseed thin areas
- • Improve soil drainage
✋ Manual Removal
- • Best for small infestations
- • Remove entire root system
- • Work when soil is moist
- • Remove before seed set
- • Follow up regularly
🌿 Natural Control
- • Corn gluten meal (pre-emergent)
- • Vinegar-based herbicides
- • Boiling water for spot treatment
- • Competitive planting
- • Regular mowing
⚗️ Selective Herbicides
- • 2,4-D for broadleaf weeds
- • Triclopyr for woody weeds
- • Spring application timing
- • Follow all label directions
- • Consider environmental impact
Seasonal Control Timeline
🌸 Spring
- • Identify emerging weeds
- • Hand pull while soil is soft
- • Apply post-emergent herbicide
- • Overseed thin lawn areas
- • Remove before flowering
☀️ Summer
- • Continue hand pulling
- • Spot treat persistent weeds
- • Maintain healthy lawn
- • Watch for summer bloomers
- • Prevent seed production
🍂 Fall
- • Apply pre-emergent herbicide
- • Remove annual weeds completely
- • Overseed and fertilize lawn
- • Cut back perennial weeds
- • Plan next year's strategy
❄️ Winter
- • Plan garden improvements
- • Order seeds for dense planting
- • Remove visible perennials
- • Prepare tools for spring
- • Research beneficial natives
Creating Managed Wildflower Areas
Benefits of Designated Wild Areas
🐛 Biodiversity Support
Native "weeds" provide food and habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and small wildlife.
🌍 Reduced Maintenance
Wild areas require less mowing, watering, and chemical inputs than traditional lawns.
💚 Environmental Benefits
Better soil health, water filtration, and carbon sequestration compared to monoculture lawns.
Managing Wild Areas
🚧 Create Clear Boundaries
Use mowed strips, pathways, or edging to define wild areas and show intentional management.
✂️ Seasonal Cutting
Cut once or twice yearly to prevent aggressive species from dominating and maintain diversity.
🌱 Selective Management
Remove truly invasive species while allowing beneficial natives to thrive.
Purple Flower Weed FAQ
How do I tell if a purple flower is a weed or a wildflower?
Research whether it's native to your area, consider its growth habit (aggressive spreading vs. contained), and evaluate its impact on your garden goals. Native plants are generally beneficial even if weedy.
Should I remove all purple flowering weeds?
Not necessarily! Many provide early nectar for pollinators when little else is blooming. Consider creating designated areas for beneficial "weeds" while controlling them in formal garden spaces.
What's the best time to control purple flower weeds?
Early spring before they bloom and set seed is ideal. For perennials, fall treatment when they're storing energy in roots is most effective. Annual weeds are easiest to control when young.
Can I use these weeds in my flower arrangements?
Many purple flowering "weeds" make excellent cut flowers! Violets, wild bergamot, and selfheal are particularly attractive. Harvest responsibly and research any you're unfamiliar with.
Are purple flowering weeds safe for pets?
Most common ones like violets and clover are safe, but always research specific plants. Some, like vetch in large quantities, may cause issues. When in doubt, prevent pet access.
Do purple flower weeds attract beneficial insects?
Yes! Many are excellent pollinator plants, especially early bloomers like dead nettle and henbit that provide nectar when few other flowers are available. This is a key reason to consider tolerance.