Common Lambsquarters: How to Identify and Control It
Chenopodium album · Summer annual broadleaf
How to identify common lambsquarters
- Diamond- to goose-foot-shaped leaves with wavy-toothed edges
- Whitish, mealy coating on young leaves and growing tips
- Upright, often 2–5 ft, stems sometimes red-striped
- Clusters of tiny green flowers at the top
Why it shows up
One of the most widespread garden and crop weeds. It sprouts early in spring in cultivated soil and produces long-lived seed.
Where it's a problem
- Northeast & Mid-Atlantic (zones 4–8)
- Southeast (zones 7–10)
- Midwest (zones 4–7)
- Great Plains & Texas (zones 3–9)
- Southwest & Mountain (zones 4–10)
- West & Pacific Northwest (zones 3–10 (1–8 in Alaska))
Control methods
1. Cultural (prevention)
- Mulch and plant densely
- Use stale seedbeds: let weeds sprout, then shallow-cultivate before planting
- Don't let plants go to seed
2. Mechanical
- Hoe or pull young plants; the taproot is shallow when small
- Cut tall plants before seed ripens
3. Organic options
- Flame weeding of seedlings
- Cover crops and mulches
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-emergents labeled for the site (e.g. pendimethalin in labeled ornamentals)
- Rarely a lawn weed because mowing removes it; spot-treat with labeled broadleaf herbicides if needed
When to treat common lambsquarters by USDA zone
| USDA zone | Typical timing (from NOAA frost-date medians) |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Pre-emergent around Apr 19–May 3 (2–4 weeks before the typical last frost, May 17); spot-treat or pull escapes in early summer |
| Zone 4 | Pre-emergent around Apr 12–Apr 26 (2–4 weeks before the typical last frost, May 10); spot-treat or pull escapes in early summer |
| Zone 5 | Pre-emergent around Apr 5–Apr 19 (2–4 weeks before the typical last frost, May 3); spot-treat or pull escapes in early summer |
| Zone 6 | Pre-emergent around Mar 29–Apr 12 (2–4 weeks before the typical last frost, Apr 26); spot-treat or pull escapes in early summer |
| Zone 7 | Pre-emergent around Mar 14–Mar 28 (2–4 weeks before the typical last frost, Apr 11); spot-treat or pull escapes in early summer |
| Zone 8 | Pre-emergent around Feb 24–Mar 10 (2–4 weeks before the typical last frost, Mar 24); spot-treat or pull escapes in early summer |
| Zone 9 | Pre-emergent around Jan 26–Feb 9 (2–4 weeks before the typical last frost, Feb 23); spot-treat or pull escapes in early summer |
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 common lambsquarters naturally?
Start with cultural and mechanical controls: Mulch and plant densely; Use stale seedbeds: let weeds sprout, then shallow-cultivate before planting; Don't let plants go to seed; Hoe or pull young plants; the taproot is shallow when small; Cut tall plants before seed ripens.
What does common lambsquarters look like?
Diamond- to goose-foot-shaped leaves with wavy-toothed edges; Whitish, mealy coating on young leaves and growing tips; Upright, often 2–5 ft, stems sometimes red-striped; Clusters of tiny green flowers at the top.
When is the best time to treat common lambsquarters?
Prevent it with a pre-emergent applied 2–4 weeks before your average last spring frost, when soil reaches about 55°F.
Where is common lambsquarters a problem in the US?
Common Lambsquarters is common in: Northeast & Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Great Plains & Texas, Southwest & Mountain, West & Pacific Northwest.
Sources & further reading
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Chenopodium album
- Mahoney et al. (2008). Nitrogen and Light Affect the Adaptive Traits of Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album). Weed Science. doi:10.1614/ws-07-086.1
- 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.