What Henbit looks like
Upright plant, 12–18 inches tall, with heart-shaped leaves and small purple or pink flowers clustered at the top.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Not sure if it's Henbit?
Snap a photo — our free AI compares it to henbit and tells you in seconds. No app needed.
Best approach: Spray or dig
Henbit has shallow roots and pulls easily. Spraying is more efficient for large areas. It dies on its own in late spring heat but seeds heavily first.
Best products for Henbit
Formulated to kill henbit without wiping out your grass — see the timing and chemistry below.
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BioAdvanced All-In-One Weed & Feed (22-0-4)
✓ Kills henbitBeginner friendly
Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action1
✓ Kills henbitBeginner friendlyPrevents crabgrass for up to 4 months, kills dandelion, clover and other listed broadleaf weeds, and feeds. Apply to wet grass, no more than twice a year. Not for St. Augustine. Its label allows centipede, but centipede does better with a stand-alone weed killer and a lighter feeding.
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed5
✓ Kills henbitBeginner friendlyWeed killer plus 26-0-2 lawn food for dandelion, clover and other listed broadleaf weeds. Apply to wet grass. On bahia, wait until mid-April and the third mowing, and make fall applications before Nov 1. Not for St. Augustine. Its label allows centipede, but centipede does better with a stand-alone weed killer and a lighter feeding.
How much do you need?
Herbicide is dosed by lawn size. Pick your yard size for a quick estimate:
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When to treat Henbit
Spray in spring or fall when temperatures are 60–80°F and the weed is actively growing. Avoid summer heat — stressed grass takes collateral damage.
Chemical treatment
Apply a broadleaf herbicide (2,4-D or 2,4-D + dicamba) in fall when henbit is still small, or early spring before it flowers.
Non-chemical management
Overseed in fall with quality grass seed to establish dense stand that crowds out henbit.
How to stop Henbit coming back
Overseed in fall with quality grass seed to establish a dense stand that crowds out henbit.
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A thick, healthy lawn is the best weed killer there is. Measure your yard on a satellite map in 30 seconds — we'll build a personalized schedule (fertilizer, seed, mowing, weed control) so henbit doesn't come back.
Measure my lawn — it's free →FAQ
What does Henbit look like?
Upright plant, 12–18 inches tall, with heart-shaped leaves and small purple or pink flowers clustered at the top.
What's the best way to kill Henbit?
Spray or dig. Henbit has shallow roots and pulls easily. Spraying is more efficient for large areas. It dies on its own in late spring heat but seeds heavily first.
Is Henbit hard to get rid of?
Henbit is rated moderate to control. Consistent treatment over a season usually does the job.
How do I stop Henbit coming back?
Overseed in fall with quality grass seed to establish a dense stand that crowds out henbit.
Other broadleaf weeds
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