Broadleaf Plantain Control: How to Get Rid of Broadleaf Plantain

Broadleaf plantain is a perennial weed, which means it can be a problem that will continue to torment you and your lawn year after year. It characteristics are broad, oval-shaped leaves (unlike buckhorn plantain, which has long, narrow leaves) and, in the spring, tall flower spikes grow boldly towards the sky from the plant's center.

Broadleaf plantain doesn't discriminate when it comes to where it will puts down roots as you are likely to find it between cracks in the sidewalk, along roadsides, in park areas, and in lawns or grassy areas that are not well-maintained. What's even worse is that broadleaf plantains will grow without warning and take over both sunny and shady spots (though the plant appears to have a preference for moist shade).

While plantains can be dug out of soil as part of a treatment program to remove the weed from your yard, the task of carrying that out--especially if you have a sizable outbreak--can be a chore. The easier route to take is to treat the weed with herbicides. Our step-by-step DIY guide will show you exactly what you need to kill broadleaf plantain and rid it from your yard while also saving money.

Identification

Before carrying out a treatment program, you will need to first be certain that you are dealing with broadleaf plantain and not some other weed. Careless identification can lead to using the wrong treatment methods which can be a waste of time and money.

• Broadleaf plantains grow in rosette formations: The leaves form a circular shape, all emerging from the same spot in the ground.
• The leaves themselves are large and ovular in shape, and they have three to five prominent veins each. They will lay close to the ground.
• From the center, broadleaf plantains grow several stems that can be 2 to 7 inches in height. These stems will grow many small green flowers. As the plant matures, the flowers develop into seed capsules.

Use the above description and image to help you to identify the invasive plant you are dealing with and confirm that its broadleaf plantain. If you are unsure, you can always contact us and our lawn care experts will help to correctly identify the plant and suggest treatment options.

Inspection

After you have confirmed that you are dealing with broadleaf plantain, you can then move on to inspection. During this phase, you will locate areas where broadleaf plantain is thriving and observe the conditions that are allowing it to thrive. This information will help you in knowing where to focus your herbicide application.

Where to Inspect

Broadleaf plantain is a creeping spreading perennial weed that can grow in wet and compacted soil conditions with full sun or partial shade in lawns, gardens, nurseries, along roadsides and footpaths.

What to Look For

Broadleaf plantain typically emerge in late spring to fall where they will appear as low-growing rosette arrangement with egg-shaped leaves. Then from June to September they develop flowers and the leaves will lessen making the slender, tall stalks appear almost bare. 

Treatment

Before using any herbicide product, make sure you first have on the proper proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when mixing and applying any type of pesticide material. 

Since handpicking these weeds is not usually effective the best approach is the use of herbicides. Non-selective herbicides or systemic herbicide containing one of the active ingredients glyphosphate, atrazine, bromoxynil, carfentrazone, dicamba, mesotrione, isoxaben, indaziflam, penoxsulam, sulfentrazone, triclopyr, or 2,4-D work best against broadleaf plantains. 

We recommend using Eraser 41% Glyphosate Herbicide for spot applications in landscapes and 2,4-D Amine Selective Post Emergent Herbicide to control plantain in turf. 

Broadleaf weed killers such as Eraser 41% Glyphosate Herbicide and 2,4-D Amine Selective Post Emergent Herbicide does a great job of controlling broadleaf plantain, with the product going down into the root system to kill the entire plant. Keep in mind that Eraser 41% Glyphosate Herbicide is non-selective meaning it will kill all vegetation that comes into contact with it. 

Step 1 - Measure Treatment Area and Mix Herbicide

Eraser 41% Glyphoshate Herbicide is a post-emergent herbicide designed to control a wide variety of grassy and broadleaf weeds, including broadleaf plantain. This is a non-selective, glyphosate product with no soil activity. This means that it will control and kill vegetation that it comes into contact with, so it is recommended to use this for spot treatments.

2,4-D Amine Selective Post Emergent Herbicide is systemic herbicide that works to control post-emergent weeds in non-crop areas like lawns and ornamental turf. As a systemic, it will travel down to the root of the weed for complete death. 

Determine how much product to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet then multiply them together (length X width = square footage). 

To mix and apply to spot treatments, we recommend using a handheld pump sprayer for easier control during application. 

To get rid of broadleaf plantain in landscapes, mix Eraser 41% Glyphosate Herbicide at a rate of 2 1/2 fl. oz. of product in one gallon of water per 300 sq. ft.

To get rid of this weed in ornamental turf areas, apply 3.16 pints of 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide per 1 acre. For smaller applications, this breaks down to 1.1 fl. oz. of product applied over 1,000 sq. ft

Fill the sprayer with half the amount of water, then add the measured amount of product Lastly, pour the remaining amount of water in then agitate the sprayer until the solution is mixed with water. 

When using a non-selective herbicide like Eraser, be sure to label your sprayer explicitly for Non-Selective Herbicide Use to prevent cross-contamination in the future.

Step 2 - Apply Herbicide to Broadleaf Plantain

Wait for 7 days before and after Eraser 41% Glyphosate Herbicide application to mow. After application, wait 7 days to rake, leveling, or rototilling. 

For 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide applications, avoid mowing for 1 to 2 before and after application. 

Lightly spray Eraser 41% Glyphosphate Herbicide just on the top of the leaf surface to the point of wet, being careful of wind drift and runoff. Because Eraser 41% Glyphosate Herbicide is non-selective, it is recommended to use some sort of shield like a flattened cardboard box to block the spray from contacting your wanted vegetation. 

To apply 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide on this weed in turf, simply spray the top and bottom of the weed leaves. Make applications to the point of wet, but not to the point of runoff. 

When applied properly, affected weeds will yellow and begin to die. A follow-up application may be necessary if signs of recovery are observed, especially if the plant’s taproot is still alive. Reapplication intervals with 2, 4-D Amine range from 21 to 30 days. A reapplication with Eraser 41% Glyphosphate may be made after 4 weeks.

For best results, we recommend making spot applications with these products in the spring or late summer to control broadleaf plantain. Applications are most effective when plants are newly emerged before flower formation. 

Prevention

After you have eliminated broadleaf plantain from your property, you want to make sure it doesn't make a return. Some preventative measures you can take to prevent broadleaf plantain are listed below:

• The best defense against broadleaf plantain is a thick lush lawn that is properly maintained and well-fed. A thick dense lawn that is well-fertilized will be better able to choke out broadleaf plantain weeds and not allow them room to establish. To achieve this we recommend using Solutions 15-5-10 Weed & Feed Fertilizer with Trimec, which is a slow-release fertilizer that will provide the essential nutrients and fight against germinating broadleaf plantain in turf. For most applications you will need to apply 3.2 to 4.0 pounds of product per 1,000 sq. ft. of treatment area. With a push or broadcast spreader, evenly distrube the granules across the turf by first treating the outer edge of the treatment area. Next, walk across the space missed in the middle at a steady space. After 1 to 2 days have passed after application, you can then lightly water the granules in to activate them.
• In addition to fertilizing, you can reduce the shade cast on your lawn by trimming overgrown shrubbery and tree branches, rake away leaf litter and pick up any debris, and employ a proper watering schedule to provide the local grass with enough water to strengthen its roots, but not so much that will encourage weeds. Many grasses require 1 inch of water every week. Apply the water all at once in the morning so it has time to seep into the ground without evaporating in the sun.

Key Takeaways

What is Broadleaf Plantain?

• Broadleaf plantain is a perennial broadleaf weed which can be distinguished by its short, thick tap roots and leaves which grow in a rosette.

How to Get Rid of Broadleaf Plantain

• We recommend Eraser 41% Glyphosate Herbicide and 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide to treat broadleaf plantain as it is systemic and will kill the plant all the way down to the root. Spot treat the weeds, making sure not to get the herbicide on your desired vegetation.

Preventing Broadleaf Plantain Reestablishment

• To keep broadleaf plantain away, you will need to maintain a healthy, dense lawn by keeping up with cultural practices that will make it so your grass will choke out this weed from reestablishing. This can be done with regular mowing, adjusting water, and proper applications of Solutions 15-5-10 Weed & Feed Fertilizer with Trimec.