27 Weeds with Yellow Flowers That Could Invade Your Yard

Weeds with yellow flowers can light up your yard, even though most people consider them unwanted. Common yellow-flowered weeds like dandelions and buttercups add a splash of brightness to green spaces.

Identify these yellow-flowered weeds to either keep them under control or enjoy their cheerful blooms. These plants can add unexpected beauty to your surroundings.

Yellow Flowering Weeds: An Introduction

Yellow flower weeds like dandelions, black-eyed Susans, and golden clovers are tough and spread fast. They take water and nutrients from your garden plants.

Some are small and blend into the grass, while others stand tall with bright petals. To keep your lawn healthy, remove these weeds carefully, as some can irritate your skin or be harmful.

Always figure out which type you have before trying to get rid of them.

27 Weeds with Yellow Flowers for a Colorful Yard

Brighten up your knowledge of garden weeds with these 27 varieties that bloom with yellow flowers. These weeds bring a pop of color to any landscape, even if unplanned.

Birds Foot Trefoil

Dense mats of birds foot trefoil can quickly cover the ground, suffocating native plants. This non-native legume spreads rapidly and competes for resources in local ecosystems.

Originally brought to the United States, its purpose was to stop erosion and feed livestock. Height ranges from 12 to 24 inches, showcasing clusters of long black seed pods that look like a bird's foot.

Leaflets grow in groups of three, leading some people to confuse it with clovers. Its drawbacks often overshadow any benefits it may provide, making management important for preserving local flora.

Black-Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans brighten up any garden with their striking golden-yellow petals and dark center. These flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other insects, making your outdoor space lively.

Birds enjoy their seeds during winter months, providing a food source when it's cold outside. Although classified as weeds, gardeners appreciate how easy they are to care for while adding vibrant color to landscapes.

Their rough leaves deter rabbits and deer from munching on them as well. Using black-eyed Susans as border plants brings both beauty and practicality to your garden area.

Canada Goldenrod

A tall, leafy stem characterizes Canada goldenrod, topped with clusters of tiny yellow flowers that form a branching pyramid shape. This plant belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes asters and sunflowers.

Many people appreciate its distinct appearance among similar flowers. In northeastern and north-central North America, it grows naturally but can become invasive in other regions.

The tough roots help it spread easily, often forming large patches that dominate the area. Despite its lovely look, this weed poses challenges for local ecosystems due to its aggressive growth habits.

Common Ragwort

Strong and unpleasant scents define common ragwort, also known as stinking willie or stinking nanny. This herbaceous perennial plant features flat, daisy-like flowers and feathery leaves.

Pollinators benefit from its presence, especially the vibrant black and red cinnabar moth that relies on it for food. Unfortunately, toxicity poses a significant risk to cattle and horses who graze in paddocks where this plant thrives.

Balancing these ecological impacts can be tricky as common ragwort plays both a helpful role for some species while harming livestock health. Consider the effects of this plant if you have animals nearby; awareness is key to managing your environment wisely.

Common Evening Primrose

Common evening primrose, a biennial wildflower found across much of the United States, captivates with its tall stalks and large citrus-yellow flowers. You can spot these blooms at their most beautiful just after sunset, as they open to reveal their delicate petals.

By noon the next day, the flowers close up again while releasing a pleasant lemony scent into the air. Indigenous peoples have known about this plant's value for centuries.

They enjoy its leaves in salads or cooked like spinach and use roots that can be eaten raw or prepared like potatoes. Flowering stems also make a tasty treat whether enjoyed fresh or fried.

Nutritional benefits lead many to extract oil from evening primrose for dietary supplements too.

Common St. Johns Wort

Height ranges from 12 to 54 inches for common St. Johns wort, an herbaceous perennial wildflower that stands out with its unique features.

The plant displays narrow leaves adorned with purplish-black specks and bright yellow flowers that have tiny black dots along their edges. Throughout history, this plant played a vital role in traditional folk medicine; ancient Greeks used it to address various health issues like nervous disorders.

Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities allow you to apply it on wounds and burns for relief. Recent studies suggest St.

Johns wort may help treat mild to moderate depression as well, but caution is necessary since herbal remedies can interact negatively with other medications. Consulting a doctor before using this herb ensures safety and proper care.

Creeping Buttercup

Creeping buttercup features glossy yellow flowers and lush green leaves, which add beauty to any garden. This plant thrives in moist areas, similar to where frogs live.

The name of its family comes from the Latin word for little frog, highlighting its natural habitat. Unfortunately, removing creeping buttercup can be tough due to its deep-rooted system that holds it securely in place.

Manual removal proves most effective but requires significant physical effort. Facing this challenge means dealing with a plant that looks lovely yet becomes difficult to control over time.

Creeping Cinquefoil

Creeping cinquefoil and creeping buttercup might look alike at first with their yellow flowers and quick-spreading habit, useful as ground covers.

However, creeping buttercup's leaves split into three parts, whereas cinquefoil's leaves have five lobes. Unlike the unscented buttercup, cinquefoil smells sweet, similar to strawberries, because both belong to the Rosaceae family.

Both plants share more than looks; they have tough root systems that make them hard to remove. It's important to pull them out carefully to prevent them from overtaking other plants in your garden.

Cypress Spurge

Cypress spurge is a perennial plant with deep roots and appealing, fragrant chartreuse flowers. It came from Europe to North America in the 1860s as a decorative plant, often used in cemeteries, earning it nicknames like graveyard spurge.

This plant not only crowds out nearby plants but is also harmful to humans and animals. While sheep can eat it without harm, cattle and horses may get sick from it.

The plant produces a milky latex sap when its leaves or stems are damaged, which can irritate human skin, causing blisters and burns. If you need to remove cypress spurge, it's important to wear protection for your skin and eyes to avoid injuries.

Dandelion

A deep and sprawling root system makes dandelions valuable for gardens. These plants pull nutrients from the soil, sharing them with other flowers and helping to prevent erosion.

When you spot dandelions in your yard, they often appear as fluffy white balls of seeds, but their true beauty shines when they bloom into bright orange-yellow blossoms. Part of the Asteraceae family, these perennial wildflowers are easy to recognize yet can be tough to eliminate due to their strong roots.

Unlike many weeds that compete for resources, dandelions contribute positively to their environment by enriching the soil for others. Their presence offers benefits even while posing a challenge in removal efforts.

Golden Clover

Golden clover, also known as hop clover, features small pea-shaped flowers that change color from yellow to creamy white and finally to a deep brown. These blooms resemble dried hops in their later stages.

This hardy plant grows well in meadows, fields, and along roadsides. Originating from Europe and Asia, it found its way to North America in the early 19th century for use as pasture crop.

Unlike some non-native plants that can harm local ecosystems, golden clover does not threaten the environment; there’s no urgent need for removal unless you prefer a different look in your garden or landscape. Belonging to the Fabaceae family adds another layer of interest to this unique perennial herbaceous plant.

Lesser Celandine

Lesser celandine can be a real problem in gardens. This plant features glossy yellow flowers and heart-shaped green leaves, making it quite attractive at first glance.

Originally brought to North America for decoration, it quickly became an invasive weed that spreads rapidly. Its fibrous roots form dense mats that make removal difficult.

If not completely dug out, the tuber-like roots will allow this hardy plant to keep growing back. Not only is lesser celandine tough to control, but its toxicity poses serious risks to animals like cows and horses as well.

Marsh Yellowcress

Growing in wet and swampy areas, marsh yellowcress can also be found in water. This plant shows its adaptability by thriving across continents like Asia, Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa.

A taproot weed that may live for one or two years depending on conditions makes it a concern for gardeners. Deeply lobed leaves and small pale yellow flowers with four petals help identify this weed easily.

Look out for its cylindrical fruit as well; recognizing these features is crucial if you grow food since it disrupts crops significantly.

Narrow-Leaf Plantain

Narrow-leaf plantain, also known as buckhorn or ribwort, belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. This flowering plant is not related to the starchy fruit called plantains; they come from a different group altogether.

Foragers often seek out narrow-leaf plantain because it is edible and has various uses in herbal remedies. A tea made from its leaves serves as cough medicine, while its flower heads taste like mushrooms and can add flavor to vegetarian broth.

With so many names and benefits, this versatile plant deserves more attention in cooking and healing practices.

Purslane

Common purslane, also called pursley or little hogweed, stands out for its rich nutrition and versatility. Known as a succulent, this plant has flat, oval leaves covered with a waxy layer.

Every part is edible; enjoy the leaves raw in salads or cooked in soups where they add a unique sour taste. Seeds offer another tasty option; eat them raw for a crunchy snack high in alpha-linolenic acid or grind them into flour for baking.

This resilient plant can self-pollinate and keep its seeds alive in the soil for many years—an advantage if you're cultivating it but not so much if it's invading your garden space!

Wild Radish

Wild radish thrives in vegetable fields and alongside crops like soybeans. This hardy plant belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which includes mustard and cabbage.

Edible flowers add a spicy kick to your meals with their zesty flavor. Colors vary from creamy yellow to pale shades, often showcasing deep violet veins.

Pests and diseases find wild radish appealing, posing risks to surrounding plants. For food foragers, discovering this tasty treasure offers both excitement and culinary adventure.

Yellow Nutsedge

Yellow nutsedge can easily blend in with your grass, making it hard to spot. This invasive weed takes over lawns quietly, often before anyone realizes it's there.

Quick removal may seem like the right choice when you find it poking through. Avoid this approach since uprooting activates its hidden tubers, leading to even more growth.

Managing yellow nutsedge works best by preventing its appearance altogether. If some does appear in your yard, treating it with a selective post-emergent herbicide will help keep it under control.

Yellow Rocket

Known as wintercress, yellow rocket belongs to the mustard family. This attractive herb grows between 12 and 24 inches tall with a ribbed stem and shiny dark green leaves.

Lacy golden flowers bloom atop its branches, adding beauty to any area it occupies. Both the buds and young leaves are safe to eat, making them a tasty addition for those who enjoy foraging.

Caution is needed since livestock may face stomach issues if they overeat this plant. Yellow rocket can also harm crops like alfalfa and various grains when it spreads too much in gardens or fields.

Yellow Salsify

Widespread across 45 states in the US, yellow salsify often surprises people with its resemblance to dandelions. Its fluffy seedhead makes it easy to spot in open fields.

Despite being edible, many animals steer clear of this plant due to its bitter taste. Known as wild oysterplant for its roots that taste like oysters, yellow salsify sometimes goes by the name western goatsbeard because of its fuzzy look.

This annual herb is classified as an invasive weed in several places due to how quickly it can spread unchecked in pastures. Finding this unique plant can spark curiosity about nature's diverse offerings and their flavors.

Black Medic

Black medic is a plant that flourishes in the summer heat. Often, people confuse it with clover due to its three oval leaflets and clusters of yellow flowers.

This plant belongs to the legume family, which sets it apart from other similar plants. Many might see black medic as just a weed, but this weed actually helps improve soil health by hosting rhizobium bacteria that fixes nitrogen from the air.

Its presence enriches dirt low in nitrogen levels, making it beneficial for gardens and fields alike. Additionally, honeybees find nourishment in its nectar, supporting local ecosystems too.

Butterweed

Butterweed, often called cressleaf groundsel or yellowtop, features bright yellow flowers. Though its name sounds inviting, this plant is not safe to eat and can be toxic for humans.

Its striking appearance resembles that of daisies and black-eyed Susans since it belongs to the same Asteraceae family. The combination of sunny petals and a golden center creates an eye-catching flower in any setting.

Recognizing butterweed helps you appreciate the beauty around you while staying aware of its harmful effects.

Garden Loosestrife

Striking garden loosestrife stands tall with its impressive height, reaching between 20 and 59 inches. Bright yellow flowers with reddish-orange centers create a beautiful display that catches the eye.

While this plant may enhance your garden's look, it poses serious risks in wetlands. In these delicate environments, it can spread rapidly and cause harm to local ecosystems.

Because of its invasive nature, some states like Connecticut and Washington have banned this plant altogether. Choosing plants wisely helps protect our natural spaces while adding beauty to your surroundings.

Common Yellow Woodsorrel

Common yellow woodsorrel, often called sourgrass or lemon clover, thrives in meadows and woodlands. This herbaceous plant can grow as an annual or perennial based on the climate where it lives.

A distinct tangy flavor comes from its high oxalic acid content, making it edible for humans when eaten in moderation. Caution is necessary with pets; while dogs and cats may find it toxic, sheep and goats can safely eat this plant.

Sometimes referred to as sheeps weed, yellow woodsorrel adds a unique taste to your surroundings but requires careful handling around animals.

Skeletonweed

Farmers dread the presence of skeletonweed in their fields. This troublesome plant, scientifically known as chondrilla juncea, takes over pastures and disrupts harvesting machines.

Its long, thin branches resemble a skeleton, which is how it got its name. Skeletonweed not only invades crops but also steals water from other plants that need it to survive.

Recognizing this weed helps in managing its spread effectively. Keeping your fields healthy means staying on top of this persistent problem.

Spanish Broom

Spanish broom stands out with its vibrant yellow flowers that bloom every summer. This medium-sized shrub fills the air with a sweet scent, similar to honey and vanilla.

The sight of its cheerful blossoms can brighten any garden. Despite its beauty and pleasant aroma, Spanish broom is seen as a troublesome plant in many regions.

In California, it poses serious risks by fueling wildfires due to its dense growth. Many people enjoy the look of this shrub but must be aware of the challenges it brings.

Wild Parsnip

Wild parsnip can grow up to five feet tall and has a single stem. This biennial herb belongs to the Apiaceae family, which includes well-known edible plants like carrots and parsley.

While you might find wild parsnips similar in appearance to those at your grocery store, they have one crucial difference: garden varieties feature straight roots that are easier to prepare for eating. Roots of wild parsnips are indeed edible but require careful handling due to their toxicity.

The stem, leaves, flowers, and sap can irritate skin or even cause burns. Always wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves while working with this plant or when harvesting it from your garden.

Yellow Toadflax

Invasive species can quickly take over your garden and surrounding areas. Choosing a different yellow flower is wise for the health of local plants and wildlife.

Yellow toadflax, also known as wild snapdragon or butter-and-eggs, features creamy yellow blooms shaped like snapdragons with bright orange-yellow tips. This perennial wildflower has an interesting history; it served both as a key ingredient in traditional folk medicine and as a source of yellow dye in Germany for many years.

Despite its beauty, this plant poses risks that outweigh its charm, making caution essential when planning your garden.

How to Remove Yellow Flower Weeds from Your Grass?

Using Weed Killers on Yellow Flowers

Chemical weed killers, developed significantly over the last 125 years, are a powerful tool for controlling weeds. There are various types on the market, including pre-emergent herbicides to stop weeds before they grow, and post-emergent herbicides for mature weeds.

Non-selective herbicides affect all plants in an area, while selective ones target specific weeds. Contact herbicides kill any plant part they touch, and systemic types go deep into the roots, preventing regrowth.

Hand-Removing Yellow Weeds

Pulling weeds by hand might seem easy, but you need to know a bit first. Identify the weed to check if pulling it out is the best way.

Some weeds, like yellow nutsedge, spread more if pulled and need other methods to control them. If pulling is suitable, moist soil makes it easier.

Water the soil or choose a time after rain to make the ground soft. Use the right tools like gloves to protect your hands and a shovel or rake to loosen the soil and roots.

Have a bag ready to throw the weeds away quickly, stopping them from spreading.

Using Mulch to Stop Yellow Weeds

Mulch is a material spread over soil to cover the ground. While wood chips are common, you can also use bark, straw, or pine needles, and inorganic options like gravel, fabric, or recycled rubber.

Aside from looking nice, mulch has many benefits. It holds in moisture, cuts down on water runoff, and stops soil erosion.

Most importantly, it blocks weeds from growing by covering them and keeping new ones from sprouting.

Keeping Your Lawn Healthy to Prevent Yellow Weeds

Cultural control means using smart practices to stop weeds before they take over your lawn. Weeds grow fast if you don't pay attention, so keeping your lawn healthy is key to keeping them out.

Feeding your lawn and watering it enough helps your grass grow thick, which leaves no space for weeds. Regularly mowing your lawn is another good step, but be careful not to cut the grass too short.

In your garden, planting things close together also helps by not giving weeds much space to grow.

What Are the Tall Weeds with Yellow Flowers?

Common tall weeds with yellow blooms include Cypress spurge, yellow salsify, and Canada goldenrod, among others. These weeds can grow very tall and are tough to get rid of.

When you pull these weeds, wear gloves and a long-sleeve shirt to keep your skin safe from irritation or cuts from sharp plant edges. It's best to spot, identify, and eliminate these weeds early to prevent them from taking over your lawn or garden.

What Are the Small Weeds with Yellow Flowers?

Small weeds like creeping cinquefoil, dandelion, golden clover, and purslane often pop up in lawns and gardens. These tiny yellow weeds compete for space, water, and nutrients that your flowers and vegetables need.

Some types even attract wildlife that may harm your other plants. It's important to identify these weeds correctly and remove them quickly to stop them from spreading.