Prostrate Knotweed
Polygonum aviculare
Family: PolygonaceaeNative: Europe and AsiaIdentified: Sep 14, 2025
Prostrate knotweed is a widespread annual weed characterized by its sprawling, mat-forming growth habit. It has wiry stems that typically lie flat along the ground, with small, oval to lance-shaped leaves arranged alternately along the stems. Tiny, inconspicuous greenish-white to pinkish flowers grow in clusters in the leaf axils.
Learn more about Prostrate Knotweed in the encyclopedia →Care instructions
As a weed, care instructions generally focus on control. It thrives in compacted soils and full sun. To control, improve soil aeration, maintain a healthy lawn to crowd out weeds, and consider pre-emergent herbicides in early spring or post-emergent herbicides on actively growing plants.