Buckhorn Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
A common perennial lawn and field weed with a basal rosette of narrow, ribbed leaves and bullet-shaped flower heads on tall leafless stalks. It is widespread and persistent in lawns, pastures and roadsides.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Drought-tolerant
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata), also called narrowleaf or English plantain, is a perennial weed in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). It is distinct from the unrelated banana-type plantain.
Forming a low rosette of lance-shaped leaves, it sends up slender stalks topped with compact, cone-like flower heads. It tolerates mowing and poor soil, making it a persistent weed of lawns, pastures and roadsides worldwide.
How to identify it
Identify it by its narrow, strongly ribbed leaves and bullet-shaped flower heads on bare stalks.
- Basal rosette of long, narrow, lance-shaped leaves with prominent parallel veins (ribs)
- Leafless, grooved flower stalks rising 6-18 in above the rosette
- Short, dense, cone- or bullet-shaped flower heads with a ring of whitish stamens
- Fibrous roots; tolerates close mowing
- Distinguished from broadleaf plantain by its much narrower leaves
Care & growing
Buckhorn plantain is a weed; this covers control and habit.
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Drought-tolerant; survives in dry, compacted soil
- Soil: Tolerates poor, compacted and disturbed soils
- Temperature: Cold-hardy perennial
- Propagation: By seed and from its crown
- Control: Dig out the crown and roots, maintain dense turf, and use broadleaf herbicides for heavy lawn infestations; mowing alone will not eliminate it
Habitat & origin
Native to Europe and temperate Asia, buckhorn plantain has naturalized across nearly all of North America and much of the world.
It grows in lawns, pastures, hay fields, roadsides, waste ground and cultivated areas, thriving in compacted, disturbed and poor soils in sun or light shade.
Frequently asked questions
Is buckhorn plantain the same as the banana plantain?
No. Buckhorn plantain is a small weedy herb unrelated to the banana-type plantain. They share only a name.
How do I remove buckhorn plantain from my lawn?
Dig out the entire crown and root, since it is a perennial that resprouts. Thickening your turf and applying a broadleaf herbicide help control heavier infestations, while mowing alone will not.
What's the difference between buckhorn and broadleaf plantain?
Buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has narrow, lance-shaped ribbed leaves, while broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) has wide, oval leaves. Both are common lawn weeds.
Buckhorn Plantain guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Buckhorn Plantain.
