What Shepherd's Purse looks like
Rosette of deeply lobed basal leaves with a tall flower stalk. Small white flowers produce distinctive heart-shaped seed pods along the stem.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Not sure if it's Shepherd's Purse?
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Best approach: Hand-pull or dig
Easy to pull — shallow taproot comes out cleanly. Pull before the heart-shaped seed pods form to prevent spreading. In flower beds, hand-pulling is the best approach.
Tools that make pulling Shepherd's Purse easier
Shepherd's Purse grows back unless you get the whole root — these pull it out cleanly, root and all, no chemicals needed.
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Fiskars Stand-Up Weed Puller
Beginner friendlyRemoving taprooted weeds root-and-all — dandelion, plantain, thistle, dock — without bending, kneeling, or chemicals
Grampa's Weeder Original Stand Up Weed Puller
Beginner friendlyPulling dandelions, plantain, thistle and other taprooted lawn weeds root-and-all — no bending, kneeling, or chemicals
Nisaku NJP650 Hori Hori Weeding Knife
Beginner friendlyDigging out the weeds a claw puller can't grab — creeping rosettes, clumps, and roots that regrow from any fragment left behind
When to treat Shepherd's Purse
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.
Non-chemical management
Hand-pull before seed pods form. Easy to remove due to shallow taproot.
How to stop Shepherd's Purse coming back
Maintain dense turf or thick mulch. Pull seedlings early before they bolt and set seed.
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What does Shepherd's Purse look like?
Rosette of deeply lobed basal leaves with a tall flower stalk. Small white flowers produce distinctive heart-shaped seed pods along the stem.
What's the best way to kill Shepherd's Purse?
Hand-pull or dig. Easy to pull — shallow taproot comes out cleanly. Pull before the heart-shaped seed pods form to prevent spreading. In flower beds, hand-pulling is the best approach.
Is Shepherd's Purse hard to get rid of?
Shepherd's Purse is rated easy to control. Most homeowners can handle it in one or two treatments.
How do I stop Shepherd's Purse coming back?
Maintain dense turf or thick mulch. Pull seedlings early before they bolt and set seed.
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