Greater Plantain (Plantago major)

Leaf: Greater Plantain leaves are a broad oval shape and they have distinctive ribs.

Flower: Flowers can be seen from May through to October. The green-grey flowers are formed on a spike and are bourn on a long stem.

Preferred habitat: Greater Plantain can be found on a wide range of conditions and soil types. It is particularly common on heavily compacted soils.

Control: Hand weeding is ideal if there are only a few plants, taking care to remove all of the root or the weed will regenerate again. Regular mowing will help prevent seed head formation thus prevent spreading. Pay attention to the correct lawn care maintenance practices that will encourage a dense sward to prevent weed encroachment and spreading.

For a large infestation a selective herbicide will have to be used. As it is not a difficult weed to control most products available to the consumer should take care of Greater Plantain, one application is usually enough to deal with this broad-leaved weed.

More Greater Plantain images (click to enlarge)

Recommended selective weed killers for amateur gardeners for the control of Greater Plantain in lawns.

• Verdone Extra (fluroxypyr, clopyralid & MCPA).
• Westland lawn weed killer (2,4-D, mecoprop-p & dichlorprop-p).
• Westland lawn feed, weed & moss killer (2,4-D & mecoprop-p) includes a fertiliser.
• Westland Resolva lawn weed killer (MCPA, mecoprop-p & dicamba).
• Vitax green up lawn weed & feed (2,4-D & dicamba) includes a fertiliser.
• Vitax green up lawn weed & feed + moss killer (2,4-D & mecoprop-p) includes a fertiliser.
• Vitax lawn clear (fluroxypyr & mecoprop-p)
• Doff lawn spot weeder (2,4-D, mecoprop-p& dichlorprop-p).
• Evergreen Complete (MCPA, mecoprop-p).
• Evergreen feed + weed liquid (MCPA, mecoprop-p & dicamba) includes a fertiliser.

Recommended selective weed killers for lawn and turf care professionals for the control of Greater Plantain in lawns and turf.

• Scotts Praxys (fluroxypyr, clopyralid & florasulam).
• Scotts Intrepid 2 (dicamba, dichlorprop-p & MCPA).
• Scotts Re-act (MCPA, mecoprop-p & dicamba).
• Barclay Holster (fluroxypyr, 2,4-D and dicamba).
• Headland Cabadex (florasulam & fluroxypyr).
• Mascot Crossbar (fluroxypyr, 2,4-D & dicamba).
• Mascot Junction (florasulam and 2,4-D).
• Mascot Super Selective (mecoprop-p, MCPA & dicamba).
• Vitax Esteem (2-4,D, MCPA and clopyralid).

Selective weeds killers should be applied when the weeds are actively growing. This is usually between April and October avoiding periods of drought.

When applying chemicals to lawns always follow the manufacturers application recommendations and the health and safety guidelines for the best results.

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