Lawn burweed (Soliva sessilis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Lawn burweed on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Asteraceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Lawn burweed
Soliva sessilis, commonly known as lawn burweed or spurweed, is a small annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It forms compact rosettes of finely divided leaves and produces small greenish flowers that give way to tiny spiny seeds, which readily attach to clothing and animal fur. This creeping plant can form dense mats in lawns and pathways, often considered a weed due to its effective dispersal mechanism.
Native range
South America, including Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Care tips
This plant thrives in a wide range of conditions but prefers full sun to partial shade. It tolerates poor and compacted soils, although it grows best in well-drained and slightly moist substrates. The main challenge in its management is preventing its spread, as its spiny seeds are easily dispersed; manual removal before flowering is the most effective strategy. A common mistake is attempting to control it with broad-spectrum herbicides that can harm surrounding turf.
How to save a dying Lawn burweed
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown leaves, wilted and lacking vigor. If it has already flowered, the blooms may dry prematurely.
- First aid
- If potted, check drainage. Move to a well-ventilated spot with filtered light. Prune the most affected parts.
- What kills it
- Excessive moisture or waterlogging is fatal for its roots. Lack of light or prolonged drought also severely weakens it.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. It's a hardy plant, but needs good drainage and moderate watering to recover.