Identifying Garden Weeds With Heart Shaped Leaves

As a gardener, dealing with weeds is an inevitable part of maintaining a healthy garden. While some weeds are easily identified, others can leave you scratching your head wondering what type of weed just popped up Weeds with heart shaped leaves in particular can be tricky to distinguish This article will explain what garden weeds have heart shaped leaves, how to identify them, and methods for controlling these stubborn invaders.

Why Identify Garden Weeds?

Properly identifying weeds is an important first step before trying to remove them Different types of weeds can require different control methods Annual weeds that sprout from seeds are generally easier to control than perennial weeds that spread via roots or rhizomes, Knowing what you’re dealing with will help you choose the right approach,

Some weeds may also indicate underlying issues in your garden soil that could be corrected. For example, an overabundance of knotweed could mean poor drainage, while lots of purslane likely means compacted soil. Identifying the weed can give you clues to improve the garden environment so desirable plants can better thrive.

Finally, some weeds are more aggressive than others and quicker to spread. Identifying these weeds early allows you to focus on removing them before they take over. Let’s look at some common garden weeds with heart shaped leaves.

7 Garden Weeds With Heart Shaped Leaves

1. Wood Sorrel (Oxalis species)

This low growing perennial weed spreads rapidly via rhizomes and tubers. The leaves are comprised of three heart shaped leaflets resembling clover. Bright yellow flowers bloom spring to fall. Prefers moist acidic soil. Can be aggressive in vegetable gardens.

2. Violet (Viola species)

This lovely flowering perennial spreads by rhizomes and seeds. Heart shaped leaves have rounded tips and smooth or toothed edges. Flowers come in shades of purple, blue, yellow and white. Often pops up in lawns or vegetable gardens.

3. Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

This fast growing annual vine has lush green heart shaped leaves. Produces trumpet shaped flowers in summer that can be white, pink, purple, or blue. Spreads rapidly by seed. Can quickly take over gardens when not controlled.

4. Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)

A winter annual weed in the mint family. Square stems with pinkish flowers. Leaves are oval to heart shaped, lightly hairy, with scalloped edges. Self-seeds prolifically. Invades gardens, lawns and disturbed areas.

5. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)

A perennial groundcover weed related to mint. Has round, kidney shaped leaves with scalloped edges. Spreads aggressively through stems that root at nodes. Tiny bluish-purple flowers in spring. Hard to eradicate from lawns and gardens once established.

6. Chickweed (Stellaria media)

A prolific cool season annual. Forms dense low mats with small oval to heart shaped leaves. Tiny white star-like flowers bloom early spring to summer. Reseeds rampantly in lawns, vegetable gardens and flower beds.

7. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)

A perennial woodland groundcover with kidney shaped leaves and brownish-purple flowers. Spreads vigorously by rhizomes forming dense colonies. Prefers shade gardens where it can overtake desired plants. Hard to dig out entirely.

How to Identify Heart Shaped Weed Leaves

When trying to identify a weed with heart shaped leaves, pay close attention to the following characteristics:

• Leaf shape – Is it a perfect heart? More oval, kidney or triangular?

• Leaf edges – Are they smooth, serrated or lobed?

• Leaf texture – Smooth, hairy, glossy?

• Leaf arrangement – Opposite or alternate on the stem?

• Leaf veins – Number of main veins.

• Leaf stalk – Does it have a petiole or attach directly to stem?

• Stem – Square, round, hairy, smooth?

• Flowers – Color, shape, size can all be clues.

Comparing the unknown weed to the descriptions and photos above will help you correctly identify which one it is. Getting a positive ID is the first step toward successful and cost-effective weed control.

Controlling Heart Shaped Garden Weeds

Once you’ve identified the culprit, you can move on to removal. For small infestations, hand pulling is effective for annual weeds and some shallow rooted perennials. Ensure you remove as much of the root system as possible to prevent regrowth.

Spot spraying with an herbicide containing 2,4-D, dicamba or glyphosate can treat larger areas of annual weeds. For stubborn perennials like creeping Charlie, repeated applications are needed to fully kill the plant.

Covering areas with mulch, cardboard or landscape fabric helps suppress weeds through light deprivation. Just be sure to eliminate existing growth first or they will simply grow up through.

For lawns, broadleaf herbicides specifically formulated for lawns containing dicamba and 2,4-D can selectively kill weeds like violets and henbit while leaving your grass unharmed. As always, be sure to read and follow label directions carefully.

While weeding will likely always be part of garden maintenance, identifying heart shaped garden weeds and using the right removal methods will give you the upper hand. Stay vigilant for new growth, eliminate plants before they go to seed, and over time you can keep these pesky weeds under control.

A popular trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves is the String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii). It features long, delicate vines adorned with small, heart-shaped leaves that are typically green and silver, sometimes with a pinkish underside.