Henbit in Your Yard

By David Wall
Guest Columnist

When I mentioned putting down a black tarp last week, some of you probably wondered why not use clear plastic?  Solar heat buildup will kill the seeds, but also quadrillions of microbes, worms, and other living creatures like beneficial nematodes.  Then, you have a LOT of work to get them back in your garden soil.  Enough said.

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is an annual cool season weed (herb) occurring both in late fall and early spring that we've all seen without knowing its name. It grows anywhere from 4-12", has small and alternately paired leaves, with pretty, dark pink flowers.  Henbit it gets its common name because chickens like it!  Though in the mint family, it has no distinctive odor.  It looks nice, but getting rid of it from a manicured lawn isn't easy.  Like most annuals, you need to pounce on it soon after emergence, before it can put out seeds (2,000+ per plant!) for the next cool season.  In some farm areas, its invasiveness and extensive root system are used in erosion control for cash crops.

Thought to be originally from along the Mediterranean region, it now exists throughout the world, and is in every state except Alaska.  It's even in Greenland!  Though invasive, henbit is usually considered to be a minor weed due to several positive characteristics.  It can be an great pollen and nectar plant for bees and even humming birds.  Everything above ground is edible and can be eaten raw, put in salads, soups, or as an herb with other foods.  Highly nutritious, it also has several positive medical properties!

Soon after emergence, you can control by simply pulling it, or chop it with a hoe.  If henbit is in a large stand, cover with weighted newspapers.  Otherwise, chemicals will be required.  Boo, hiss, bah humbug!!!