What Prostrate Spurge looks like
Low-growing mat of reddish stems with tiny oval leaves and small white or reddish flowers; bleeds milky sap when broken.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Not sure if it's Prostrate Spurge?
Snap a photo — our free AI compares it to prostrate spurge and tells you in seconds. No app needed.
Best approach: Spray or dig
Spurge has a central taproot and pulls easily when soil is moist. Wear gloves — the milky sap can irritate skin. Spray for large areas or if it keeps coming back.
Best products for Prostrate Spurge
Formulated to kill prostrate spurge 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 prostrate spurgeBeginner friendly
Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action1
✓ Kills prostrate spurgeBeginner 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 prostrate spurgeBeginner 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 Prostrate Spurge
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
Use a post-emergent broadleaf herbicide (2,4-D, dicamba, or glyphosate for spot treatment) in spring or early summer while plants are young.
Non-chemical management
Alleviate soil compaction, water appropriately, and maintain dense turf in thin, dry spots.
How to stop Prostrate Spurge coming back
Alleviate soil compaction, water appropriately, and maintain dense turf in thin, dry spots.
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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 prostrate spurge doesn't come back.
Measure my lawn — it's free →FAQ
What does Prostrate Spurge look like?
Low-growing mat of reddish stems with tiny oval leaves and small white or reddish flowers; bleeds milky sap when broken.
What's the best way to kill Prostrate Spurge?
Spray or dig. Spurge has a central taproot and pulls easily when soil is moist. Wear gloves — the milky sap can irritate skin. Spray for large areas or if it keeps coming back.
Is Prostrate Spurge hard to get rid of?
Prostrate Spurge is rated moderate to control. Consistent treatment over a season usually does the job.
How do I stop Prostrate Spurge coming back?
Alleviate soil compaction, water appropriately, and maintain dense turf in thin, dry spots.
Other broadleaf weeds
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