How to Control Pearlwort in Your Lawn

Pearlwort (Sagina procumbens) is a widespread weed found in lawns along Australia’s eastern seaboard. It affects both warm- and cool-season grasses and behaves similarly to other broadleaf weeds like Red Caustic Weed and Pigweed/Purslane. Fortunately, it can be effectively managed with commonly available herbicides.

Table of Contents
– What is Pearlwort?
– What Causes Pearlwort in Lawns?
– How to Control Pearlwort in Your Lawn
– How to Prevent Pearlwort from Coming Back
– Controlling Pearlwort with All Year Round Turf

What is Pearlwort?

Pearlwort is easy to spot thanks to its small, oval-shaped leaves and spreading, wispy growth habit. Though finer than many other broadleaf weeds, it’s classified in the same group. You may also notice tiny white flowers that bloom briefly during Spring, Summer, and the warmer parts of Autumn.

This weed thrives in warm, humid environments and is most commonly found in Queensland, New South Wales, and northern Victoria.

Pearlwort often invades Buffalo, Couch, Bermuda, Kikuyu, and Zoysia lawns, particularly those that are under stress from drought, poor soil conditions, or general neglect.

What Causes Pearlwort in Lawns?

Pearlwort spreads both through seeds and plant fragments. Seeds can be carried by wind, water, pets, garden tools, and even on the soles of your shoes. The plant can also regenerate from cuttings, making mowing or trimming without proper disposal a potential risk for further spreading.

Additionally, it grows using underground rhizomes, meaning even small remaining parts of the plant can regrow, making manual control difficult once it’s established.

How to Control Pearlwort in Your Lawn

Manual Removal
If caught early, Pearlwort can be removed by hand. For best results, pull the weed out by the roots when the soil is moist—this ensures the entire root system is removed, reducing the chance of regrowth.

Regular mowing at the correct height for your grass type promotes a thick, healthy lawn that can naturally suppress weed growth.

Chemical Control
Herbicides are the most effective way to control fast-spreading weeds like Pearlwort. While few are registered specifically for it, many common actives—such as Dicamba, MCPA, and Bromoxynil —are effective in controlling it.

• Contra M Duo is the only herbicide officially registered to treat Pearlwort, although Bow and Arrow and Estate contain effective actives and are widely used.

To improve herbicide effectiveness, consider adding a surfactant like Wetter 600. This helps the spray stick to the waxy leaves, increasing the chances of a successful first application.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for application rates and safety precautions, including using proper protective equipment.

How to Prevent Pearlwort from Coming Back

The best long-term strategy is prevention using a pre-emergent herbicide. These products stop weeds like Pearlwort from germinating in the first place by targeting the seed before it sprouts.

Pre-emergents are commonly used for seasonal weeds like Poa Annua (Wintergrass) and Pigweed/Purslane. They offer protection for up to six months and are typically applied in Autumn (to protect against Autumn/Winter weeds) and Spring (for Spring/Summer weeds).

Popular options include:

– Liquid pre-emergents: Spartan, Barricade
– Granular pre-emergents: Onset GR, Oxafert (which also contains a slow-release fertiliser)

Mowing regularly and maintaining proper lawn health remains essential to prevent reinfestation and keep your turf dense enough to outcompete invasive weeds.

Control Pearlwort with All Year Round Turf

Whether you’re dealing with an existing Pearlwort infestation or looking to prevent one, All Year Round has the products you need.

You can find:

– Post-emergent herbicides like Contra M Duo (note: not safe for Buffalo lawns)
– Pre-emergent herbicides such as Spartan, Barricade, Onset GR, and Oxafert

Visit the our shop to explore your options and keep your lawn healthy, weed-free, and thriving year-round.

Uncertain still ? Call professionals at All Year Round Turf 1300 887 348