What is Fleabane ?
Fleabane is a common broadleaf weed found in lawns, gardens, parklands, curb sides, and areas with disturbed soil. This weed spreads through its seeds, so controlling Fleabane before the plant matures is key to stopping its spread. In this blog we take a look at what Fleabane is, its key identifying features, plus the best way to remove it.
Key Identifying Features
Produces an enormous number of seeds
Begins as small rosettes close to the ground
Long, narrow leaves with rounded, lobed edges
White, pink, or purple flowers at maturity
Grows up to 1m tall in unmown areas
Deep taproot system
Fleabane is a widespread broadleaf weed commonly found in lawns, gardens, parklands, roadsides, and disturbed soil. Because it spreads only by seed, tackling Fleabane before it flowers and sets seed is essential to stopping its spread.
A member of the Asteraceae family, Fleabane can reach up to 1 metre tall when left unmown. Its long, narrow leaves have lobed edges, and while it produces white, pink, and purple flowers throughout much of the year, these flowers eventually develop into fluffy white seed heads rather than petals. In lawns that are regularly mown, Fleabane usually stays lower to the ground but still competes heavily with turf.
Fleabane is found throughout Australia and thrives in areas with disturbed or bare soil.
This weed reproduces only through seeds, which form at the centre of its flowers. Each seed (1.5–2mm long) is attached to a tuft of fluffy material, allowing it to be carried easily by wind, animals, or even on shoes.
One plant can produce up to 110,000 seeds, making it a prolific and aggressive spreader. Early control is critical.
Small infestations: Pull by hand. Young plants have a shallow taproot, making removal easier.
Larger infestations: Use a selective herbicide.
For Buffalo lawns: use an All Purpose Weed Control product.
For non-Buffalo lawns: use a Dicamba + MCPA-based herbicide (e.g., Amgrow Multiweed).
All Purpose Weed Control targets a wide variety of weeds—including Bindii, Clover, Oxalis, and Thistles—while being safe on Buffalo, Couch, Kikuyu, Zoysia, Rye, and Fescue lawns.
The best way to stop Fleabane and other weeds from invading is to maintain a dense, healthy lawn. A thick turf canopy reduces bare soil, making it harder for weeds to germinate and establish.
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