If there were an award for "Most Persistent Lawn Nuisance," spurge would definitely be a finalist. This low-growing, fast-spreading weed shows up just in time to crash your summer lawn party—and it doesn't take no for an answer.
Spurge (specifically prostrate spurge) is a warm-season annual weed that thrives in hot, dry conditions. It’s got reddish stems, small oval leaves, and usually forms dense, flat mats that creep along sidewalks, driveways, flower beds, and—unfortunately—your lawn.
You might even notice a milky white sap when the stem is broken. That’s latex, and while it's not toxic to most people, it can irritate the skin.
Because it’s a survivalist. Spurge grows quickly from seed, spreads aggressively, and thrives in thin, compacted soil where your grass is struggling. Left unchecked, it can take over large areas, stealing moisture and nutrients from your turf and making your lawn look patchy and unkempt.
Thin or bare spots in your lawn
Edges of driveways, sidewalks, and patios
Hot, compacted areas with poor soil structure
Flower beds with sparse mulch coverage
1. Prevention Starts in Spring
Spurge seeds germinate when soil temps hit 60–65°F. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to stop those seeds before they sprout.
2. Keep Your Lawn Thick and Healthy
A dense lawn is your best defense. Regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing helps turf outcompete weeds like spurge.
3. Mulch Your Beds Right
A 2–3 inch layer of mulch in flower beds helps block sunlight from reaching spurge seeds. Make sure it’s thick enough, but not suffocating.
4. Post-Emergent Herbicides
Already spotted spurge? Post-emergent weed control can knock it back.
At Top Turf, we know spurge doesn’t fight fair—but neither do we. Our weed control programs are built to keep your lawn healthy, dense, and ready to resist even the most stubborn summer weeds.
Want help kicking spurge to the curb? We’re just a call away.