Henbit vs Purple Deadnettle in Tulsa Lawns: How to Tell the Difference (and Control Both)

If you’re spotting small purple flowers popping up in your grass, you’re not alone. In Tulsa and across Eastern Oklahoma, two winter annual weeds often create those purple “carpets” in late winter and early spring:

• Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
• Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)

They’re closely related (both are in the mint family), and they often grow in the same thin spots—so it’s easy to confuse them. The good news: you can control both, and you can prevent most of next season’s outbreak with the right timing.

If you found us through our post about purple flowers in your yard, this guide goes one level deeper—specifically for henbit vs purple deadnettle.

Quick Check: Henbit vs Purple Deadnettle

Use the top leaves as your fastest clue.

Henbit:

• Top leaves: rounded/scalloped
• How leaves attach: the upper leaves often wrap the stem (they look “stacked” around it)
• Color: usually mostly green
• Overall look: a low-growing patch with little purple blooms, often spreading across thin turf

Purple Deadnettle:

• Top leaves: more triangular/pointed
• How leaves attach: upper leaves are often on short leaf stems (instead of wrapping the stem)
• Color: the top growth often looks purple/magenta-tinged
• Overall look: the upper leaves can form a purple-tinted “cluster” near the top

Why These Weeds Show Up in Tulsa lawns

Henbit and purple deadnettle are:

• Winter annual broadleaf weeds
• Usually germinating in fall
• Staying low and growing during mild winter periods
• Growing quickly and flowering in late winter/early spring
• Dropping seed, then fading out when late-spring heat arrives

That life cycle is why a spring-only approach can feel frustrating: by the time you notice purple blooms, the plant may already be established.

Typical Timing in Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma (What You’ll Usually See)

Because Oklahoma winters can swing warm/cold quickly, timing can shift earlier or later. But in a typical year, you’ll often notice:

• Late January to February: first seedlings become noticeable during mild spells
• February to March: most widespread and obvious (purple tops, low-growing mats)
• April: plants start to thin out/die back as temperatures warm and lawns begin greening up
• Late spring: mostly gone on its own (after dropping seed)

Warm, sunny microclimates—like south-facing slopes, field edges, and thin turf—can trigger earlier growth.

Why They Show Up So Early

Both henbit and purple deadnettle are winter annuals. That means they typically:

• Sprout in fall
• Survive winter (especially during mild stretches)
• Grow fast and flower early in late winter/early spring
• Disappear in heat, but leave seed behind for next season

They also love:

• Thin turf and bare soil
• Areas that stay wet longer
• Shadier spots
• Compacted soil

For the “why did this happen?” side of the problem, this post helps: How weeds sneak into your lawn.

Where You’ll Usually Find These Purple Flowers

Most homeowners see henbit and purple deadnettle:

• Along sidewalks/driveways (thin edges)
• In lawn corners that don’t get as much sun
• Near downspouts or drainage paths
• In spots that struggled the previous summer/fall

If you’re also seeing soil disturbance in thin areas, this related post may help you rule out other issues: Why are there small mounds of dirt in my yard after rain?.

Weed Control Plan That Works (Now + Next Season)

Step 1: What to Do Right Now (Post-Emergent Control)

If it’s a small patch, hand-pulling can work (especially when soil is moist). For widespread patches, most homeowners need a post-emergent approach.

Practical tips to improve results:

• Treat when weeds are actively growing (avoid frozen/stressed conditions).
• Avoid mowing immediately before treatment.
• Be prepared for a follow-up if the infestation is thick.

If you want the quick “how it works” overview, see: Weed Control 101.

Step 2: The Real Key for Next Year (Pre-Emergent Timing in Fall)

Because henbit and purple deadnettle are winter annuals, fall prevention matters most.

That’s where pre-emergent weed control comes in: it helps stop weeds before they sprout.

For a plain-English explanation of why timing matters so much, see: Why pre-emergent weed control matters right now.

Step 3: Make Your Grass the “Winner” (Reduce Thin Spots)

Weed control products help, but healthy turf is the long-term solution:

• Mow at the correct height and consistently
• Water deeply and less often (instead of light daily watering)
• Improve soil health and fertilization timing
• Address shade and compaction where possible

If you’d like a broader seasonal perspective, this is a strong companion read: Winter weeds in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Are Henbit and Purple Deadnettle Harmful?

No, they’re not harmful. For most Tulsa homeowners, these are primarily:

• A curb-appeal problem
• A competition problem (they steal light, water, and nutrients from turf)
• A future problem if they go to seed and repeat next season

When to Bring in a Local Lawn Care Pros

If henbit and purple deadnettle keep popping up year after year, the problem usually isn’t effort — it’s timing. Because these are winter annual weeds, effective control takes a seasonal approach, not just a spring cleanup.

At Nutri-Green, we help homeowners in Bixby, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, and Eastern Oklahoma get ahead of winter weeds by focusing on the right treatments at the right time. Our lawn care programs are built around Oklahoma conditions, with fall pre-emergent applications to help prevent winter weeds before they sprout, along with targeted treatments and turf-health practices that reduce thin spots over time.

If you’d like help identifying what’s growing in your lawn and putting a plan in place that works before these weeds return next season, reach out through our contact page.