Utah weeds · Summer annual · peak June – October
How to get rid of Spotted Spurge in Utah
How to recognize Spotted Spurge
- A flat, spreading mat of reddish-green stems from a central point
- Tiny oval leaves, sometimes with a dark red spot
- Milky white sap when a stem is broken
- Tiny seed capsules along the stems
Why it thrives in Utah
Spotted spurge loves heat and thrives in rock beds, pavers, cracks and thin lawns. Mats are hard to treat without hurting nearby plants, and each plant produces a lot of seed that gets flung a short distance.
How to remove it by hand
- Wear gloves. The milky sap can irritate skin and eyes.
- Pull the whole mat from the center, so the taproot and the stems come together.
- Pick up any bits left on pavers or in cracks.
- Bag the plants, especially any that have seed capsules.
- Come back weekly during the summer to catch new seedlings.
When to pull it
It sprouts as the soil warms and grows through summer into October. Pull before it sets seed.
How to keep it from coming back
- Keep paver joints filled and rock beds clean of dirt where seeds can sprout.
- Mulch bare soil.
- Pull small seedlings early, since a young mat is a few seconds’ work.
Spotted Spurge FAQs
Is spotted spurge sap harmful?
It can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves, avoid touching your face and wash up after pulling it.
Why does spurge grow in my sidewalk cracks?
Cracks and paver joints hold a little soil, get lots of sun and heat, and spurge thrives in exactly that, so it shows up there first.
How early should I pull spurge?
As soon as it appears. A small seedling is easy to pull, while a big mat takes longer and has probably started making seed.
Skip the pulling
A weeder from Utah Weed Pullers can handle spotted spurge for you: one visit a week, pulled by hand with no sprays, from $322 a month. We serve all of Utah County and Salt Lake County, including Lehi, Provo, Orem, Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, American Fork, Salt Lake City. See every city.