Integrated Pest Management
Common Chickweed
Stellaria media
Description
- dense, low-growing plant with highly branched and slender stems that grow 4 – 20 inches long; root at nodes
- leaves: fleshy and elliptical with pointed tip; oriented opposite to one another on stems; up to 1 1/2 inches long
- small white flowers are star shaped (1/4 inch wide); each flower deeply separated (like rabbit ears) and shorter than sepals; five visible green sepals
Location
- commonly grows in planting beds and occasionally in lawns
Life Cycle
- summer or winter annual with peak germination in fall and early spring
- thrives in temperatures between 53°F and 68°F
- seedlings grow vigorously, flower and set seed within 5 weeks of germination; mature seeds immediately viable
IPM Recommendations
- Effective control must target both aboveground and underground plant structures.
- Hand-pull plants in planting beds prior to seed maturation.
- Shallow tillage or hoeing will control young plants in planting beds; this control method is most effective when underlying soil is dry.
- Apply a mulch layer 3 inches deep on planting beds to reduce seed germination.
- Apply an appropriate pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed germination or an appropriate post-emergent herbicide directly to target weeds.