How to Get Rid of African Lovegrass in Your Lawn

leafed appearance. They’ll grow in clumps and send up tall seed heads, with the seeds clustered at the very tip of the stems.

In Australia, African Lovegrass is most commonly found in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, particularly in areas with disturbed soil or roadside verges. However, it also invades home lawns, especially those with thinner turf cover or reduced vigour.

This weed is especially problematic because it thrives in poor soils, resists drought and grows aggressively, quickly outcompeting desirable turf grasses.

It’s commonly found in Buffalo, Couch, Bermuda, Kikuyu and Zoysia lawns that have suffered stress, poor nutrient availability or inadequate mowing. Though it’s most active in the warmer months of Spring through early Autumn when growth and seed production peak.

African Lovegrass spreads via its fibrous root system and seeds that can travel via wind, in water, on clothing or pet fur whenever they’re disrupted and they have shown amazing viability – more than 50% after five years, and some seeds viable after 17!

Manual Removal

Manual removal is one of the most commonly suggested methods for controlling small outbreaks of African Lovegrass, but it’s important to do so before the plant starts seeding to avoid distributing more seed. It’s also crucial to remove the entire root system, lest it regrows.

Using Herbicides

Herbicides are the most effective way to manage African Lovegrass, in particular those containing Flupropanate (which is difficult to come by for home lawn owners) or Glyphosate, like PCT Glyphosate 360.

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide which means it poses a threat to every plant it touches, so blanket spraying across a lawn to eradicate African Lovegrass is not an option. Be wary of drift caused by wind too, as glyphosate will also kill fruit and vegetable plants, ornamentals and flowers. 

Some lawn lovers opt to dab non-selective herbicides like Glyphosate-based products onto the leaves and crown of the plant using a small sponge or brush.

When using chemical treatments, always follow manufacturer instructions when it comes to necessary protective equipment and safe re-entry times for humans and animals. Apply on a dry day with minimal wind to prevent drift onto desirable grasses.

Natural Remedies

African Lovegrass is a hardy weed that will thrive in the toughest conditions, so non-chemical remedies will do little – if anything – to curb its spread.

To prevent African Lovegrass from returning, applying a high-quality pre-emergent herbicide is a proactive solution. Pre-emergents work by creating a barrier in the soil that inhibits seed germination, effectively stopping weeds before they establish.

A good pre-emergent herbicide, such as those containing Prodiamine (such as Spartan in liquid form, or Onset GR in granular form) or Oxadiazon (like Echelon Duo or Oxafert), offers up to six months of protection against a broad range of invasive weeds.

This long-term approach not only reduces the need for repeated manual or chemical interventions but also contributes to a healthier, more resilient lawn with less pressure from invasive weeds.

Whether you’re looking for a quality pre-emergent to minimise the risk of African Lovegrass invading your much-loved lawn, or you need a post-emergent herbicide to control an African Lovegrass outbreak, you’ll find all the supplements and chemicals you need to keep your grass in top shape at the myhomeTURF Online Shop; home to hundreds of market-leading products that ship Australia-wide.