Henbit: How to Identify and Control It
Lamium amplexicaule · Winter annual broadleaf
How to identify henbit
- Square stems typical of the mint family
- Rounded, scalloped leaves; upper leaves clasp the stem with no stalk
- Small pink-purple tubular flowers in early spring
- Low clumps in thin lawns and garden beds
Why it shows up
Sprouts in fall as soil cools, survives winter, and flowers in early spring before dying back in early summer. Thin turf in fall gives it room.
Where it's a problem
- Northeast & Mid-Atlantic (zones 4–8)
- Southeast (zones 7–10) — Very visible in dormant warm-season lawns in late winter across the South.
- Midwest (zones 4–7)
- Great Plains & Texas (zones 3–9)
Control methods
1. Cultural (prevention)
- Overseed and fertilize cool-season lawns in early fall to thicken turf
- Mulch beds before fall
2. Mechanical
- Pull or hoe in fall or early spring before flowering
3. Organic options
- Mulch; hand-pull winter annuals before seed
4. Chemical options
Herbicide safety — always follow the label. The label is the law: use only products labeled for your site, turfgrass or crop, and follow rates, timing, weather limits and protective equipment directions exactly. Keep people and pets off treated areas as directed, and check state and local rules. Active ingredients named here are examples from extension guidance, not endorsements; availability varies by state.
- Pre-emergent in late summer to early fall (labeled for your turf type)
- Post-emergent broadleaf mixtures (2,4-D + dicamba + MCPP, or products with carfentrazone) work best on young plants in fall or very early spring
When to treat henbit by USDA zone
| USDA zone | Typical timing (from NOAA frost-date medians) |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Pre-emergent around Jul 29–Aug 19 (5–8 weeks before the typical first fall frost, Sep 23); post-emergent on young plants in fall |
| Zone 4 | Pre-emergent around Aug 5–Aug 26 (5–8 weeks before the typical first fall frost, Sep 30); post-emergent on young plants in fall |
| Zone 5 | Pre-emergent around Aug 12–Sep 2 (5–8 weeks before the typical first fall frost, Oct 7); post-emergent on young plants in fall |
| Zone 6 | Pre-emergent around Aug 24–Sep 14 (5–8 weeks before the typical first fall frost, Oct 19); post-emergent on young plants in fall |
| Zone 7 | Pre-emergent around Sep 2–Sep 23 (5–8 weeks before the typical first fall frost, Oct 28); post-emergent on young plants in fall |
| Zone 8 | Pre-emergent around Sep 15–Oct 6 (5–8 weeks before the typical first fall frost, Nov 10); post-emergent on young plants in fall |
| Zone 9 | Pre-emergent around Oct 6–Oct 27 (5–8 weeks before the typical first fall frost, Dec 1); post-emergent on young plants in fall |
Zones 10–11 (frost rare): follow germination flushes after rains; pre-emergents in late summer/fall for winter weeds and late winter for summer weeds. Find your exact frost dates with the ZIP planner. Soil temperature and the product label take priority over the calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of henbit naturally?
Start with cultural and mechanical controls: Overseed and fertilize cool-season lawns in early fall to thicken turf; Mulch beds before fall; Pull or hoe in fall or early spring before flowering.
What does henbit look like?
Square stems typical of the mint family; Rounded, scalloped leaves; upper leaves clasp the stem with no stalk; Small pink-purple tubular flowers in early spring; Low clumps in thin lawns and garden beds.
When is the best time to treat henbit?
It germinates in fall, so apply a pre-emergent in late summer, roughly 5–8 weeks before your first fall frost, and treat young plants in fall.
Where is henbit a problem in the US?
Henbit is common in: Northeast & Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Great Plains & Texas.
Sources & further reading
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Lamium amplexicaule
- UC IPM (University of California) weed gallery: weed photo gallery
- Woolam et al. (2018). Determining Seasonal Emergence and Control Programs for Henbit (Lamium amplexicauleL.). Weed Technology. doi:10.1017/wet.2018.51
- Herbicide examples are typical active ingredients named in university extension guides; products and registrations vary by state. See your state Cooperative Extension weed-control guide.
Related weeds in the same regions
Crabgrass · Dandelion · White Clover · Field Bindweed · Yellow Nutsedge · Common Chickweed · Broadleaf Plantain · Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy) · All 27 weeds
Planning a garden? See planting calendars by state & zone.