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Most of us have experienced the pain of stepping on bindii prickles with bare feet. Bindii weed, also known as jojo or onehunga (Solvia pterosperma), can make walking or playing barefoot on the lawn extremely unpleasant. The lawn weed appears in winter, but it often goes unnoticed until its painful, spiky burrs (which are seed pods) form over spring and summer. The key to controlling bindii is to kill the weed before it has a chance to seed. Make monitoring for it part of your ongoing lawn care routine.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Always store products out of the reach of children and pets.
Bindii is a low-growing annual weed. It forms a rosette of delicate, fern-like green leaves (similar to a carrot top) in autumn and winter. Small yellow flowers appear in late winter and mature into prickly seed pods from mid-spring through summer. Bindii is sometimes mistaken for burr medic (Medicago polymorpha), which also has a spined seed pod. Similarly, burr medic is often confused with clover due to its trifoliate leaves.
Not only do bindii prickles hurt, but their spikiness is how the turf weed spreads, says Melissa King, horticulturist and Scotts Lawn Builder ambassador. “The pods stick to our shoes and socks, so can easily be spread through mowing or general foot traffic,” she explains. “They also stick to pet fur and paws, which only spreads the weed further.”
Identifying bindii in its early stages is essential for effective weed control as it allows you to address the problem of the weed before it produces the painful seed heads. The best time to control or kill bindii – via spraying with weed killer or by manual hand-weeding – is in early-to-late winter after leaves have formed, but before flowers and seeds appear.
Hand-weeding can be a good method if there are small patches in your garden. Make sure you remove the whole plant, including the roots. If bindii spray is required, look for a selective weed killer that is suitable for your lawn type. Products containing the active ingredient dicamba (such as Amgrow Multiweed All Purpose Lawn Weeder) will control bindii and other broadleaf weeds like clover in couch and kikuyu lawns, but it is not suitable for use on buffalo grass.
If you have buffalo grass and are looking to control bindii and clover, choose products that contain bromoxynil, such as Scotts Lawn Builder Bindii Clover Broadleaf Weedkiller.
Tip: Bindii should die off in seven to 10 days, but repeat applications may be required for severe infestations.
The best way to keep bindii out of the grass is to keep the lawn healthy. “Bindii seeds are opportunistic and will most likely invade a lawn when there are bare patches,” says Melissa.
Repair bare patches with lawn seed and feed the grass regularly to promote thick, strong and healthy growth. “Bindii also flourishes in hard, compacted soil, so stay on top of your aerating,” advises Melissa.
Continue to monitor for bindii throughout winter and early spring.
Lawn mowers can also play a part in bindii weed prevention. Maintaining a regular routine of lawn mowing at the appropriate height will help discourage bindii seed germination. Be sure to collect the clippings, otherwise you could unintentionally aid bindii seed dispersal.
Once the prickly seeds arrive, it’s more challenging to treat bindii effectively, but you can still take steps to help manage the weed.
Find a selective weed killer that’s suitable for your lawn type. Selective lawn weed killers are available in a ready-to-use spray, hose-on bottles or concentrate. Some ready-to-use sprays are suitable for all types of grass except buffalo, while others are safe for all lawns and can be applied via hose or in concentrate form. Check the instructions before applying.
There is currently no organic selective lawn weed killer available. You can use an organic weed killer like Slasher or Earthcare Organic Weedkiller, but take care with application as these will burn the lawn if they come into contact with it.
Measure the lawn and calculate how much product is required for your area. Do not overapply as this can harm the lawn.
Apply the product as directed. It won’t remove the seed heads, but it will prevent more from forming. Avoid mowing the lawn for at least seven days prior to or following the application to ensure the weed killer comes into contact with the weed and has time to work.
Remove the weeds once they have died. A rake may assist with seed head removal. If bindii still persists, reapply the product.
Water lawn regularly and feed with a complete lawn fertiliser in summer, autumn and spring.
Keep your lawn healthy. We’re sharing top tips on how to take care of your lawn.
Photo Credit: eg. Cath Muscat, Getty Images
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