Sandburs vs. Puncture Vine: Painful Weeds with Very Different Solutions
Sandburs and puncture vines are often confused with one another, but they are very different weeds. Both produce extremely sharp seedheads that can cause significant pain when stepped on and are common problems in thin or poorly maintained lawns.
Quick Tips
- Healthy, thick turf prevents most infestations.
- Apply pre-emergent in March if these weeds were present last year.
- Identify the weed correctly before spraying.
- Earlier summer treatments work better than late-season sprays.
Sandburs
Sandburs are grassy weeds and are classified as summer annuals. They germinate in spring and die with the first hard freeze. The plants often blend into turfgrass until they form their characteristic spiny burs in clusters above or alongside the leaves.
- Grass-type weed
- Summer annual
- Burs form in late summer
- Often unnoticed until seedheads appear
Puncture Vine
Puncture vine is a broadleaf weed that also behaves as a summer annual. It grows low to the ground and produces small compound leaves and yellow flowers. These flowers are followed by extremely sharp seeds capable of puncturing bicycle tires.
- Broadleaf weed
- Summer annual
- Low-growing, spreading habit
- Sharp seed can puncture tires and injure feet
Prevention and Control
Neither weed is usually a major problem in thick, well-maintained lawns. A dense lawn is the best long-term defense.
Pre-emergent control: Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in March can prevent both weeds from germinating.
Ferti-lome’s For All Seasons is an effective option.
Post-emergent control: Because sandburs and puncture vines are different types of weeds, they require different control products once established.
- Sandburs: Use
Ferti-lome Weed Out with Crabgrass Killer or
Bonide Weed Beater Plus Crabgrass & Broadleaf Weed Killer.
Earlier applications in summer provide better control. - Puncture Vine: Use
Ferti-lome Weed-Out or other lawn-safe broadleaf weed killers.
Additional Cultural Control
If sandburs or puncture vines have already produced seedheads, bagging grass clippings when mowing is strongly recommended. Mowing without bagging can spread sharp seeds throughout the lawn and into adjacent areas.
Bagging will not eliminate existing weeds, but it can significantly reduce seed dispersal and help limit future infestations. Dispose of clippings promptly—do not compost them.
*Please read and follow all label instructions when applying chemicals.