Henbit & Purple Deadnettle in Memphis Lawns

If you’re looking out across your Memphis lawn right now and seeing a sea of small purple blooms, you’re not alone. And no, it’s not lavender.

In late winter and early spring across Memphis and surrounding areas, two common cool-season broadleaf weeds show up in a big way: henbit and purple deadnettle. Both are winter annuals, meaning they germinated back in the fall when soil temperatures cooled and have been quietly growing all winter.

How to Tell the Difference

Henbit

• Rounded, scalloped leaves

• Green stems that often sprawl and root along the ground

• Tubular purple flowers that stick out from the stem

Purple Deadnettle

• More triangular, pointed leaves

• Upper leaves turn a distinct reddish-purple

• Upright growth habit• Pinkish-purple clustered flowers near the top

From a distance, they can blanket a dormant Bermuda lawn in purple and almost look intentional. Up close, you’ll see they’re thin-stemmed, shallow-rooted weeds thriving while your warm-season turf is still asleep.

Why They’re Everywhere Right Now

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia are still dormant in late winter. That tan color is normal. These weeds, however, love cool temperatures and low competition. They germinated months ago and are now flowering before spring fully kicks in.

Once consistent heat arrives, they’ll naturally decline. But here’s the catch: they’ve already had time to mature and potentially set seed, which means more next year if left unmanaged.

What Should You Do?

1. Don’t panic. Purple in February doesn’t mean your lawn is dead.

2. Avoid throwing out random products. Timing and label compliance matter.

3. Plan ahead. Fall pre-emergent applications are key to preventing these winter annuals in the first place.

A clean spring lawn actually starts in the fall. If you’re unsure whether you’re looking at dormant grass or a weed takeover, it’s worth having a local professional evaluate it. In the Mid-South, our timing, soil, and turf types matter. A nationwide cookie-cutter program doesn’t always hit the mark.

It might be pretty, but it ain’t lavender, folks. This is how many lawns look in February. Give us 8–10 weeks and we’ll show you the turnaround.