11 Common Weeds With Beautiful Pink Flowers + Growing Guide
In the plant world, the term “weed” tends to get a bad reputation. However, did you know that there are types of flowering weeds you may actually want to add to your garden? Some are grown as ground covers while others can be confused with any other planted flower in your garden, this list can help you identify the different types of common flowering weeds that can actually be beneficial to your garden. For example, some weeds might be very attractive to pollinators, which can help your fruits and veggies grow!
While weeds are a common sight and potential eyesore I’d like to show you some that are worth keeping around. Whether your garden is full of purple flowering trees or those with showy white flowers, this list may just convince you to not remove these flowering weeds from your garden.
1. Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)
Though you’re likely to see this weed with pink flowers on the side of the road, it’s a perfect perennial to add to your garden. This perennial flowering plant has cute drooping bell-shaped flowers and comes in either white or pink.
These pale pink flowers prefer well-draining soil, but they will survive in clay soil, as well. For these pink weeds to grow up to 3 feet tall, it’s best to keep the in an area that gets at least six hours of both partial or full sun per day. If there are any changes to the environment, it may result in flower withering.
| Botanical Name: | Apocynum androsaemifolium |
| Growth Rate: | 3′ tall |
| Native Range: | North America |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 3-9 |
| Dangers: | Toxic to dogs and cats |
| Soil Needs: | Well draining soil, but can tolerate clay soil |
| Tolerate: | Partial to full sun, but can tolerate shade |
| Ease of Care | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases | Flower withering |
| Propagation | Divide during the fall |
| Fertilizer | 10-10-10 (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizer |
| Pests | Leaf beetles |
| Blooming Period | Between May-September |
| Pruning | Prune when the leaves are damaged or dead; pruning is optional any time of year |
| Water needs: | Water when the soil is dry, but may need to water once a week during the summer |
2. Pink clover (Trifolium pratense)
Red clover is a perennial weed but don’t expect these to bloom every year. Unfortunately, small birds, mice, and other common rodents love to feast on red clover. As such, they will usually be too damaged to bloom annually. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect these small flowers to never bloom again. Instead, expect these flowers and leaves to bloom every two to three years.
Furthermore, these gorgeous red flowers can actually be used for human consumption!
Many people use these flower heads for cooking and baking, including in soups, cookies, and juice. The Red Clover is able to survive in many different soil types and are a great addition to your lawn or garden.
| Botanical Name: | Trifolium pratense |
| Growth Rate: | 8-31″ tall |
| Native Range: | Europe and Northeastern United States |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 3-9 |
| Dangers: | Toxic to dogs |
| Soil Needs: | Well-draining soil; keep away from newly wet soil |
| Tolerate: | At least 6 hours of full sun, but it can tolerate some shade |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | White mold, stem rot, sclerotinia crown, northern anthracnose |
| Propagation: | Collect seeds from the flower and re-plant them to propagate |
| Fertilizer: | Apply a phosphorus-based fertilizer following the planting of seeds |
| Pests: | Clover root borers and meadow spittlebug |
| Blooming Period: | April-early summer |
| Pruning: | Not required |
| Water needs: | Water when soil dries out and once a week during droughts; avoid getting the leaves and flowers wet |
3. Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
There are a lot of names for the Spear Thistle. Sometimes called Bird Thistle, Fuller’s Thistle, or Swamp Thistle, this weed develops light purple flowers that are pretty exotic looking.
You won’t have to do a lot to help them thrive. During the spring and early fall, you will usually only have to water them about once a week. During the summer, you may need to increase watering to two or three times a week, depending on how quickly the top layer of soil dries out. If you forget to water it, don’t worry; it’s able to withstand droughts.
Furthermore, it prefers soil that is rich with nitrogen. Avoid planting it in and growing it in sandy or clay soils, as this could affect the effectiveness of flowers that grow on this weed.
| Botanical Name: | Cirsium vulgare |
| Growth Rate: | up to 6′ tall |
| Native Range: | Asia, Northern Africa, Europe |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 2-10 |
| Dangers: | Toxic to humans |
| Soil Needs: | Moist, nitrogen-rich soil |
| Tolerate: | Full and partial sun |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | Flower withering |
| Propagation: | Propagate seeds in the fall |
| Fertilizer: | Not required |
| Pests: | Lacebugs and aphids |
| Blooming Period: | March-April |
| Pruning: | Not required |
| Water needs: | Water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch |
4. Henbits (Lamium amplexicaule)
When Henbits aren’t in bloom, they look like your average weed. However, when in bloom, Henbits add pink or purple flowers to your garden. While you should commonly expect flowers in June, don’t be surprised if attractive white flowers also begin to bloom in the winter season.
Henbits are a pretty adaptable weed, meaning they can thrive in either full shade or full sun (however, it does best in full or partial shade). While you may want to prevent weeds from invading your garden, keeping Henbits in there can be beneficial to other plants because they attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees that help pollinate everything.
| Botanical Name: | Lamium amplexicaule |
| Growth Rate: | Up to 1′ tall |
| Native Range: | Europa, Northern Africa, and Asia |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 3-1 |
| Dangers: | Toxic to animals and humans |
| Soil Needs: | Well-draining, moist soil |
| Tolerate: | Full and partial sun or full shade |
| Ease of Care: | Moderate |
| Diseases: | Powdery Mildew |
| Propagation: | Divide your plant in the late spring to early autumn |
| Fertilizer: | Balanced 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer |
| Pests: | Thrips |
| Blooming Period: | Spring – early summer, mid-winter to late winter |
| Pruning: | Only prune the dead or diseased leaves following the blooming period |
| Water needs: | Water once a week and increase to 2-3 times a week during the summer |
5. Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)
Though Herb Robert has the potential to become a weed, it also has proven successful for adding some vibrancy to your garden.
This annual weed is pretty easy to care for and only needs to be pruned when the leaves or stem is damaged or dead. Likewise, it has the ability to adapt to many different types of soil. However, because of its complex root system, it’s recommended that you loosen the soil first before planting it in the ground.
When in bloom, it produces pink flowers that have five petals on them. Flowers appear between late spring and early autumn.
| Botanical Name: | Geranium robertianum |
| Growth Rate: | 8-20″ |
| Native Range: | Central Asia, Europe |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 5-9 |
| Dangers: | Non-toxic |
| Soil Needs: | Prefers either moist or dry soil, as long as it’s nitrogen-rich |
| Tolerate: | Partial sun and partial shade |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | Brown Spot |
| Propagation: | If propagating from seeds, do so between February and August |
| Fertilizer: | Apply a slow-release fertilizer to outdoor plants and during the time of planting (mainly the spring season); only apply fertilizer if the plant is healthy |
| Pests: | Leaf beetles |
| Blooming Period: | Late spring – early fall |
| Pruning: | Remove dead or diseased leaves when necessary |
| Water needs: | Water once a week starting in the spring and 2-3 times a week during summer |
6. Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris)
The Prunella Vulgaris, or Purple Flower as it’s commonly called, is considered to be a perennial broadleaf. This means that they die in the winter but re-emerge with new growth during the spring. The flowers on this plant are pink with purple undertones and can sometimes be considered purple flowering weeds.
When in bloom, the stem produces a single flower that’s usually a mix of green and purple. The flowers are small at only a centimeter long. Their shape is tubular, which adds some interesting shape to your garden and any other bright yellow flowers or dark pink plants already there.
Considered to be a low-maintenance plant, they are non-toxic and prefer to grow in either full or partial sun. Because of their bright purple hue, they will be the perfect contrast to any showy white flowers already in bloom.
| Botanical Name: | Prunella vulgaris |
| Growth Rate: | 1-2′ tall and 6-9″ wide |
| Native Range: | Asia, North America, Europe, and Africa |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 4-9 |
| Dangers: | Non-toxic |
| Soil Needs: | Moist, well-draining soil |
| Tolerate: | Full or partial sun |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | Fruit withering and underwatering |
| Propagation: | Propagate seeds in late spring, at least 2mm deep into the soil |
| Fertilizer: | Apply a general purpose fertilizer to the base of the plant in both the spring and summer |
| Pests: | Leaf beetles |
| Blooming Period: | June – October |
| Pruning: | Cut back to ground level at the end of the growing season |
| Water needs: | Water as needed to keep soil moist; Apply water when first 3″ of soil is dry |
7. Field Pansy (Viola arvensis)
Though the Field Pansy will bloom between April and June, don’t be surprised to see this pretty flower spring up during the fall season. In fact, the Field Pansy is a flower that does really well in cooler temperatures.
Furthermore, they are very versatile. While they prefer rich soil mixed with organic matter, they have been known to grow in gardens and the wilderness, adapting to all sorts of soil and sun conditions. After planting it, don’t be surprised to see how quickly it will spread across your garden or lawn. The Field Pansy is considered to be an invasive weed, so it tends to travel everywhere. But when you see its small white flowers, you won’t mind.
| Botanical Name: | Viola arvensis |
| Growth Rate: | up to 15″ tall |
| Native Range: | Asia, Europe, and Africa |
| Hardiness Zones: | Not applicable because they are grown annually in the United States |
| Dangers: | Toxic if large amounts are ingested; keep away from household pets |
| Soil Needs: | Rich, moist potting mix with organic matter or peat |
| Tolerate: | Full sun with some partial shade during hot afternoons |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | Black Root Rot, various fungal leaf diseases |
| Propagation: | Propagate either at the start or end of cold weather seasons |
| Fertilizer: | Apply a slow-release fertilizer once a month during the growing season |
| Pests: | Slugs, snails, and aphids |
| Blooming Period: | April-June, but may bloom in the fall depending on the weather |
| Pruning: | Prune during the summer if blooming begins to slow |
| Water needs: | Water once or twice a week |
8. Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
Field Bindweed has white and pink flowers that bloom between April and October. However, depending on the climate, their blooming period may extend past this until the first frost of the year. This plant’s seeds remain in the soil for a while – up to 50 years, making it very easy to spread elsewhere, especially when animals, wind, and water drainage make doing so possible.
It’s generally considered non-toxic, but it can damage your crops by passing along dormant viruses. If you are growing crops, especially tomatoes, beans, and potatoes, regular lawn care should involve removing Field Bindweed so it doesn’t cause unnecessary damage.
Despite this damage, Field Bindweed is commonly used for medicinal purposes. That being said, it’s best to leave these to the professionals, as eating them is not recommended.
| Botanical Name: | Convolvulus arvensis |
| Growth Rate: | Up to 6.5′ tall |
| Native Range: | Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 4-8 |
| Dangers: | Semi-toxic if ingested |
| Soil Needs: | Prefers clay soil |
| Tolerate: | Full sunlight and full shade |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | Not applicable |
| Propagation: | Self seed, so propagation isn’t needed to generate new growth |
| Fertilizer: | Apply a slow-release fertilizer at the base of the plant |
| Pests: | Not applicable |
| Blooming Period: | April-October |
| Pruning: | As needed to remove dried or damaged leaves |
| Water Needs: | Drought-tolerant |
9. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
Fireweed develops such beautiful pinkish-purple flowers that it’s hard to believe they’re technically considered a weed. As one of the most common weeds with pink flowers, Fireweed actually tends to develop after forest fires.
This is a common weed found in both the United States and Canada. It prefers to be exposed to full sun and blooms during the summer. While it doesn’t need to be pruned, you can do so to maintain its aesthetic appearance by getting rid of dead or damaged flowers. If the flowers look like they’re wilting, get your pruning shears ready! Just keep in mind that you’ll want to avoid pruning after September 1st, as pruning triggers new plant growth and this plant can’t handle the cold weather and frost of the autumn and winter seasons.
| Botanical Name: | Chamaenerion angustifolium |
| Growth Rate: | 2-5′ tall |
| Native Range: | Canada and the United States |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 3-7 |
| Dangers: | Considered toxic when the plant is either green or dry |
| Soil Needs: | Well-draining sandy soil |
| Tolerate: | Full sun |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | Rust, Leaf Spot, Powdery Mildew |
| Propagation: | Propagate the seeds during fall for blooms the following spring |
| Fertilizer: | Apply a slow-release fertilizer in the spring |
| Pests: | Slugs and snails |
| Blooming Period: | Summer |
| Pruning: | Avoid pruning in September, as this will promote new growth. Only prune dead flowers. |
| Water Needs: | Water daily for the first few weeks following planting; adjust watering schedule to water every 2-3 days |
10. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
The Garden Valerian produces cute white and pink flowers. Considered extremely low-maintenance, this is also considered to be an invasive plant. In other words, it will keep spreading due to its ability to self-seed. If you prefer to keep your Garden Valerian contained to one area of your lawn and garden, then it’s recommended that you remove the flowers before they bloom.
However, if you don’t mind these pink or white flowers spreading, they will add a lot of beauty to your lawn. They can grow up to 5 feet tall. They are extremely adaptable to any type of soil, as long as it remains moist and is well-draining to prevent water logging and root rot.
| Botanical Name: | Valeriana officinalis |
| Growth Rate: | 3-5′ tall |
| Native Range: | Europe and Asia |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 3-9 |
| Dangers: | Not likely to cause harm, unless your household pet ingests it and is currently on a medication |
| Soil Needs: | Any type of well-draining, most soil |
| Tolerate: | Partial shade, full sun |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | Not applicable |
| Propagation: | Divide the plants in early spring so they have enough time to develop roots by winter |
| Fertilizer: | Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the base of the plant when new leaves first emerge |
| Pests: | Not applicable |
| Blooming Period: | Early summer |
| Pruning: | Only prune if you want to prevent the flower from spreading |
| Water Needs: | Water when the top of soil feels dry |
11. Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Violacea)
Oxalis Violacea, or as it’s more commonly known as Wood Sorrel, has a lot of different variants. As such, you may find this flower with pink, white, yellow, and purple blooms, or completely green. In fact, because of this plant’s sometimes clover-shaped leaves, it becomes very popular around St. Patrick’s Day.
Regardless of what your Wood Sorrel looks like, it’s relatively easy to take care of. It doesn’t require a ton of watering and as long as it’s in a rich, well-draining soil, you rarely have to add any fertilizer to make these weed flowers grow.
Flowers bloom from May to early summer and when they do, they will add a burst of color and unique shape to your flower beds. Just keep in mind that these plants are toxic to household pets, so make sure they never get around them.
| Botanical Name: | Oxalis Violacea |
| Growth Rate: | 6-10″ tall and wide |
| Native Range: | North America |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA 5-9 |
| Dangers: | Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses |
| Soil Needs: | Well-drained soil; can tolerate dry soil |
| Tolerate: | Full or part sun or part shade; keep away from direct sun |
| Ease of Care: | Low-maintenance |
| Diseases: | Rust or Leaf Spot |
| Propagation: | Propagate during the winter season when the plant is dormant |
| Fertilizer: | Not required if growing in rich soil; if not, apply half-strength fertilizer once every two months |
| Pests: | Aphids |
| Blooming Period: | Mid-spring to early summer |
| Pruning: | Prune the plant back to the ground during the fall (or when the plant becomes dormant), so it blooms in the spring |
| Water Needs: | Water once a week, allow the soil to completely dry before next watering |
Final Thoughts
Being able to identify the most common weeds is important, not only to keep your garden protected but to know the benefits of what’s growing in your lawn. As I mentioned earlier, weeds get a bad reputation, but they can add a lot of benefits, both in terms of pollination and adding color to your garden. Whether your weeds have purple flower heads or trumpet-shaped flowers, all it takes is looking at these weeds with pictures to envision what life they’ll bring to your property.
This guide can help you understand how weed grows and what kind of small yellow flowers, pink and white petals, and blue flowers you can expect to see taking off in your garden when you let weeds do their thing.
