Spotted Spurge: How to Identify and Control It
Euphorbia maculata · Summer annual broadleaf
How to identify spotted spurge
- Flat mat radiating from a single taproot
- Small oval leaves, often with a reddish-purple spot
- Pinkish stems that bleed milky sap when broken
- Thrives in sidewalk cracks, mulch and thin, hot turf
Why it shows up
Germinates in late spring once soils are warm, later than crabgrass, so an early crabgrass pre-emergent may wear off before spurge sprouts.
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)
- Keep turf dense and mowed at the proper height
- Mulch beds 2–3 in. deep
2. Mechanical
- Pull the whole mat by its central root before seeds form (wear gloves — the sap can irritate skin)
3. Organic options
- Mulch; boiling water or flame on pavement cracks
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 spurge applied in mid-spring
- Post-emergent broadleaf mixtures labeled for spurge on young plants
When to treat spotted spurge 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 spotted spurge naturally?
Start with cultural and mechanical controls: Keep turf dense and mowed at the proper height; Mulch beds 2–3 in. deep; Pull the whole mat by its central root before seeds form (wear gloves — the sap can irritate skin).
What does spotted spurge look like?
Flat mat radiating from a single taproot; Small oval leaves, often with a reddish-purple spot; Pinkish stems that bleed milky sap when broken; Thrives in sidewalk cracks, mulch and thin, hot turf.
When is the best time to treat spotted spurge?
Prevent it with a pre-emergent applied 2–4 weeks before your average last spring frost, when soil reaches about 55°F.
Where is spotted spurge a problem in the US?
Spotted Spurge 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: Euphorbia maculata
- UC IPM (University of California) weed gallery: weed photo gallery
- Bararpour et al. (1994). Spotted Spurge (Euphorbia maculata) Interference with Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Weed Science. doi:10.1017/s0043174500076931
- 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.