What are Sandspurs and How to Get Rid of Them

Imagine enjoying a sunny afternoon in your yard, soaking in the scenery, when a sudden sting shoots through your foot. You look down and find the culprit—sandspurs scattered across your lawn. These spiky seed heads not only spoil the moment but also signal an underlying issue with your turf’s health.

Sandspurs thrive in thin, patchy, or stressed grass, quickly claiming bare spots and taking advantage of poor soil conditions. If left unchecked, they can quickly spread, turning your outdoor space into a minefield for you, your family, friends, and even pets.

The good news is, with the proper care and control measures, you can reclaim your yard from these prickly invaders. Discover expert tips to help you identify, remove, and prevent sandspurs, and learn how grass plugs can help fill bare patches to outcompete weeds—so your lawn becomes a safe, green space again, perfect for barefoot play and weekend gatherings.

Understanding Sandspurs and Their Effects on Your Lawn

Sandspurs are annual grassy weeds in the Cenchrus genus. They grow low to the ground with wiry stems and burs covered in stiff spines. Their life cycle starts with seed germination in warm weather, followed by flowering in summer and seed dispersal via those needle-like burs.

These opportunistic weeds thrive in poor, sandy soils and bare patches—exactly the conditions that weaken healthy turfgrass.

How Common are Sandspurs in Florida?

Yes. Sandspurs are quite common in Florida, particularly in sandy, nutrient-poor soils. They often thrive in coastal areas with loose sand, overgrazed pastures, neglected fields, and disturbed spaces such as driveways, footpaths, and thin or patchy lawns.

These prickly weeds flourish during the hot, humid months of summer and early fall, taking advantage of the state’s extended growing conditions. Even after the plants die back, their sharp burs can linger into winter, lying in wait until the right weather returns for them to sprout again.

Why Sandspurs are Growing in Your Lawn

Sandspurs rarely gain a foothold in dense, well-maintained turf. They take advantage of poor growing conditions such as:

• Low fertility from lack of proper fertilization.

• Compacted soil that prevents root growth.

• Drought stress or inconsistent watering.

• Bare patches that give seeds space to germinate.

If your lawn has gaps, you’re essentially rolling out the welcome mat for them.

Sandspur Control Methods That Don’t Work

While it can be tempting to try quick fixes, many commonly suggested sandspur control methods simply don’t deliver lasting results. These approaches often target the visible plants but fail to address the seed bank in the soil or the underlying lawn health issues that allow sandspurs to thrive.

• Liming or using dolomite – Because sandspurs tolerate a wide pH range, raising soil pH will not stop sandspurs.

• Pulling them by hand – Manually pulling sandspurs may remove some of the plants you see, but it leaves many seeds behind in the soil, allowing them to regrow.

• Mowing them shorter – Cutting your grass too low can stress your turf, which actually makes it easier for sandspurs to spread.

• Burning them – Applying heat or fire can kill the surface plants, but it will not destroy the seeds hidden in the soil.

• Using home remedies – DIY treatments like vinegar or salt can damage your desirable grass

• without effectively eliminating sandspurs.

These methods may provide temporary relief but don’t solve the underlying turf health issues.

How to Get Rid of Sandspurs with Targeted Herbicide Applications

The most successful approach to sandspur control involves pairing good lawn care habits with the strategic use of herbicides. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before sandspur seeds have a chance to germinate. For any that manage to sprout, use a post-emergent herbicide to spot-treat young plants before they produce burs.

Herbicides are most effective when combined with cultural practices that encourage dense, healthy turf, which naturally crowds out weeds. Always read and follow the product label to ensure the herbicide is safe for your specific grass type and to achieve the best results.

Strengthen Your Lawn and Get Rid of Sandspurs Effectively

Herbicides can be part of the solution, but the most reliable, long-term strategy is to grow a thick, healthy lawn that crowds out sandspurs.

Fill Bare Spots with Grass Plugs

Thin areas are prime real estate for sandspur germination. Grass plugs are a great idea for filling gaps without replanting the whole lawn. By planting plugs of the same grass species as your existing turf, you ensure a uniform look while steadily closing bare areas where weeds thrive. SodPods are high-quality grass plugs that are grown to thrive in Florida lawns.

Fertilize for Strong Growth

When planting new lawn grasses or repairing a sandspur patch, use a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy root and blade development. Using NutriPod® grass fertilizer during planting provides essential nutrients in the right amount, helping your grass establish quickly while minimizing the risk of overfertilizing. This stronger, denser turf will naturally crowd out sandspurs and reduce their chances of returning.

Water Wisely

Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep roots and helps your lawn resist drought stress. Overwatering weakens turf and creates an opening for weeds. Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and allow blades to dry during the day, and aim for about 1-1.5 inch of water per week, including rainfall.

Mow at the Right Height

Cutting too short reduces turf density and lets sunlight reach the soil, encouraging sandspur germination. Follow the height guidelines for your specific grass type. Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts, and avoid removing more than one-third of the grass height at a time to maintain lawn health.

Why Grass Plugs Beat Seeding in Problem Areas

Seeding can take months to establish and leaves soil exposed for weeds in the meantime. Grass plugs, on the other hand, provide living turf right away and gradually spread to fill bare spots—covering your lawn much faster than seed—while matching your existing grass for a seamless, durable finish.

After planting plugs, keep the soil consistently moist and limit foot traffic for a few weeks to allow roots to establish. Maintain a steady schedule for mowing, watering, and fertilizing, and keep mower blades sharp to avoid damaging your grass. Watch for thinning areas and fill them promptly with new plugs. Avoid scalping to prevent weed invasion, and when sandspurs are flowering, catch and dispose of clippings to reduce next year’s seed bank.

Final Thoughts

Sandspurs thrive where turf is thin and stressed—but with the right care, you can make your lawn an unwelcome place for them. Strengthen your grass, fill bare spots with SodPods grass plugs, and follow a steady maintenance routine to enjoy a lush, barefoot-friendly yard year-round.

Buy bermudagrass plugs and other warm-season grass varieties at the SodPods website today.