How to Get Rid of Speedwell in Lawns

Creeping speedwells (Veronica species, including the common field and slender speedwells) are low-growing weeds that spread across UK lawns and the front of borders, forming dense mats studded with…

Creeping speedwells (Veronica species, including the common field and slender speedwells) are low-growing weeds that spread across UK lawns and the front of borders, forming dense mats studded with small blue flowers in spring. They are a particular nuisance in turf because they creep along the ground, rooting at the stem joints, and — crucially — they shrug off most of the selective lawn weedkillers that deal with other broadleaf weeds. Control therefore relies more on physical methods and lawn care than on chemicals. This guide explains how.

How to identify it

Speedwells form low, spreading mats of small, rounded or oval, scalloped leaves on creeping stems that root where they touch the soil. In spring they are covered in tiny, four-petalled flowers, usually sky-blue with a white eye. In a lawn they appear as flat, slightly darker patches that the mower passes straight over; in borders they spread quietly across bare soil between plants.

How to get rid of speedwell

Rake before mowing. In established lawns, focus on removal of rooted patches and improved turf health. Mowing alone does not eliminate speedwell, and scattered pieces of creeping stem can take root elsewhere. When removing plants, gather up their stems and roots rather than distributing cut material.

Hand-weed and scarify. In borders and small lawn patches, pull or scrape out the mats by hand — they are shallow, though stems left behind will re-root, so be thorough. In turf, autumn scarifying to remove the creeping growth and thatch is one of the most effective treatments.

Strengthen the lawn. Speedwell exploits thin, undernourished turf, so feeding the grass, overseeding bare patches and mowing at a sensible height to thicken the sward all help the grass out-compete it.

Why weedkiller often fails. The RHS notes that speedwell is resistant to many common lawn weedkillers. In a lawn, hand-remove isolated patches, re-seed bare soil and raise mowing height to help dense grass out-compete it. In borders, lift rooted stems carefully and mulch gaps. Non-chemical control is the preferred approach.

Stopping it coming back

A dense, well-fed lawn is the best defence, as speedwell cannot establish in thick turf. Scarify annually to keep creeping stems and thatch in check, overseed thin areas, and in borders keep soil mulched so the trailing stems find no bare ground to root into.

When to call a professional

A lawn-care service is worth considering only if speedwell has taken over a tired lawn that needs full renovation — scarifying, aerating, feeding and overseeding — rather than spot treatment, since no quick chemical fix exists for this particular weed.

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Other garden problems to look out for

Different problems can produce similar-looking symptoms. These related guides may help narrow down what you are seeing.

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Speedwells