Some weeds in your garden or in the wild have beautiful blue flowers that range from soft to bright.
This article is written by Morgan Hyde, a reference librarian from Arizona. Her desire to learn and do in-depth research has grown stronger through her job at the library. This desire began when she was growing up in a rural area of Arizona. If it’s something she can do on her own, it’s something she wants to know about!.
Because they are called “weeds,” most of the plants on this list are very common. They grow quickly and are hard to get rid of. But you’ll also find that many of them have been eaten or used as medicine for hundreds of years…. The years may have seen them fall out of favor, but those uses still remain.
Native bee, butterfly, and hummingbird populations do very well on these weeds, which is not a surprise since the blue flowers are so appealing to pollinators. Be aware, though, that just because the bees love it, doesn’t mean they’re good for human consumption.
Quite a few weeds with blue flowers are edible and useful, but some are toxic. Blue False Indigo, Columbian Monkshood, False Forget-me-nots, Larkspurs, and Lobelias are some of the most poisonous plants you should watch out for.
There are blue flowers almost everywhere you look in the spring, whether you’re on the ground or in the air. Many prefer shady, moist areas—though a few are only happy when they’re in full sun.
On this list are some plants that were brought to the US from other places and have since spread to the wild. The majority, on the other hand, are native plants that are considered weeds because they’ve spread and can sometimes be found on both coasts. No matter why they’re called weeds, keep in mind that none of the plants on this list are completely useless. Check out some of the ways you can enjoy these wild plants below!.
If you have a blue-flowering wild plant in your yard that’s not on this list, check out these other native US plants:
Tiny blue flowers popping up in lawns or gardens can be a charming sight but some people view these petite blooms as pesky weeds. While certain tiny blue flowering plants are invasive or toxic many common varieties provide benefits for pollinators and people. This guide covers identification, uses, and control of the most widespread tiny blue weed flowers.
What Causes Tiny Blue Flowers in Lawns?
Homeowners often notice small blue blooms sprinkled across their lawn in spring or summer. These dainty flowers generally belong to low-growing herbaceous plants that thrive in the thin turf of lawns. Blue flowers tend to show up when soil lacks nutrients experiences compaction, or remains damp for extended periods. The most common tiny blue flowering lawn weeds include
- Forget-me-nots
- Blue-eyed grass
- Bluets
- Creeping Charlie
- Wild chamomile
- Speedwell
- Shepherd’s purse
While these plants may annoy perfectionist lawn groomers, they rarely pose a real problem. In fact, their presence indicates soil issues that should be addressed. Tiny blue blooms can also benefit lawns by attracting pollinators, preventing erosion, and adding visual interest.
Top 10 Common Tiny Blue Weed Flowers
Many wildflowers native plants, and weeds display dainty blue blossoms. Here are 10 widespread options to look for
1. Forget-Me-Nots
These cheery blue blooms with yellow centers brighten up lawns and fields every spring. Though they spread aggressively, forget-me-nots remain low to the ground. Their edible leaves and flowers work well for salads or tea. Over 20 forget-me-not species exist, but Myosotis scorpioides appears most often in North American lawns.
2. Bluets
Also called Quaker ladies or innocence, these clustered flowers feature four petals with yellow bases. Though the “Houstonia caerulea” species is native to eastern North America, bluets grow across the continent. They thrive in thin or sandy soils and rarely surpass 3 inches tall. Bluets attract native bees but freely self-seed.
3. Blue-Eyed Grass
Despite its name, this plant belongs to the iris family. The flowers feature three light blue petals with yellow centers and sword-shaped foliage. “Sisyrinchium angustifolium” prefers moist soils and spreads via underground stems called rhizomes. Blue-eyed grasses grow 4-8 inches tall and attract hummingbirds.
4. Creeping Charlie
An aggressive invasive species, creeping Charlie features round clusters of petite lavender flowers. Also known as ground ivy, its scientific name is “Glechoma hederacea.” Creeping Charlie’s trailing stems allow it to spread across lawns to form dense mats. Though edible, these plants are tough to control.
5. Wild Chamomile
Not to be confused with the European herb, this American native shows off daisy-like blooms. “Matricaria discoidea” thrives in poor, compacted soil. It smells like pineapple when crushed. Chamomiles reach 6-12 inches tall to display flowers with yellow centers and delicate white petals tinted pale blue at the tips.
6. Common Speedwell
Speedwells belong to the large “Veronica” genus, but “V. officinalis” is most prevalent in North America. These low growers spread easily via seeds and root offshoots. Their tiny blue and white four-petaled flowers are edible with a bitter taste. Speedwells tolerate mowing and foot traffic, so they thrive in lawns.
7. Field Pennycress
Also called French weed or stinkweed, field pennycress displays clusters of tiny white flowers with light blue accents. A European introduction now common across North America, “Thlaspi arvense” belongs to the mustard family. It flourishes in disturbed soils and matures quickly to spread hundreds of seeds before dying back.
8. Shepherd’s Purse
The shepherd’s purse moniker refers to the heart-shaped seed pods. This European weed shows loose clusters of minuscule white flowers tinged with blue or violet. “Capsella bursa-pastoris” readily colonizes lawns and garden beds thanks to copious seed production. New plants can develop every six weeks.
9. Daisy Fleabane
“Erigeron annuus” sprouts hundreds of fragile, pale bluish flowers with yellow centers. A North American native, its blooms attract pollinators. However, fleabanes spread aggressively via wind dispersal and up to 200,000 seeds per plant. These opportunistic plants indicate low soil fertility and quickly colonize disturbed sites.
10. Corn Speedwell
Also called gray field speedwell, “Veronica arvensis” flaunts brighter blue blooms than other speedwell species. Lower leaves are rounder, and upper leaves are sessile. Corn speedwell’s low profile allows it to escape mowing. It germinates in spring and fall to spread easily via root fragments and seeds.
Benefits of Tiny Blue Lawn Flowers
While some tiny flowering weeds are problematic, those with blue blooms offer advantages:
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Attract Pollinators: Butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects feast on the nectar from small blue blossoms. This provides food for pollinators.
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Prevent Erosion: Dense mats of low-growing plants with fibrous roots protect soil from washing or blowing away. Their presence indicates thinning turf.
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Add Color: Blues and purples make nice complements to the predominant greens of grass blades. A few tiny flowers provide visual interest.
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Indicate Problems: Certain species only grow in poor, compacted, infertile, or perpetually damp soils. Blue blooms signal issues needing correction.
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Offer Uses: Many common tiny blue flowering weeds have edible or medicinal uses for people who wish to utilize them.
Controlling Tiny Blue Flowering Weeds
To curb pesky plant proliferation, start by identifying the species and addressing the conditions spurring growth. For example, compaction and thatch buildup often promote flowering weeds. Core aeration and overseeding improves such issues.
Specific control methods include:
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Manual removal: Pluck or hoe weed plants, especially before they go to seed. Ensure root removal.
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Apply pre-emergents: These prevent seeds from germinating. Use in spring and fall. Avoid chemicals that inhibit pollinators.
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Mow diligently: Frequent cutting keeps growth in check, but don’t mow below 3 inches or sharp blades will harm grass.
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Overseed thin spots: Crowd out weeds by establishing thick turf with quality grass varieties suited to the lawn’s conditions.
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**Modify irrigation: **Allow the top few inches of soil to dry between watering to deter moisture-loving weeds.
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Live with some: Accept a few tiny blue blooms. Removing them all disrupts the landscape’s ecosystem.
For serious infestations, carefully applied selective herbicides containing chemicals like 2,4-D, MCPA, dicamba, or triclopyr may help. Always follow product instructions exactly.
Final Thoughts
Tiny blue flowering weeds often indicate lawn issues needing attention. While certain species spread aggressively, the next time you spot some petite blue blooms, consider leaving a few for the pollinators to enjoy before taking steps to address the underlying problems. With proper practices, lawns can support limited wildflowers without compromising turf quality or creating extra work.
Morning Glory (Ipomoea hederacea)
Most of the time, you can tell which Morning Glories are native to your area by their fast-growing vines that can reach 10 feet tall and their pretty flowers that open every morning. Morning Glory comes in hundreds of different types, and each one has its own leaf shape and flower color. They look nice on trellises, but they’re hard to get rid of and are usually thought to be invasive.
Both medicinal and toxic qualities are found in this genus. The blue varieties tend to have more medicinal properties than others. If you want to eat something made with Morning Glories, you should usually talk to a local expert first to make sure you know which kind you’re using.
Flowers:
- Trumpet-shaped
- 5 pointed star shape at center
- Clusters of up to 6 flowers
Seeds:
- Spherical Black-ish capsules
- Brittle pods break when they hit the ground
Foliage:
General:
- Stems tangled
- Climbing or running over the ground
- One leaf per lobe along the stem
Here’s how to identify Morning Glory (Ipomoea hederacea)
False Forget-me-not (Hackelia floribunda)
Being known for looking exactly like a different plant is a strange thing to be, especially if that plant isn’t native to your area. But False Forget-me-not is in that situation. This plant is native to the US, but most people think of it as a weed because all of its parts are poisonous. Even getting scratched by the prickle of the seeds can cause swelling and irritation in the area.
Indigenous people used the plant’s poisonous parts, like its roots, to treat serious injuries like broken bones. Today, there have been no studies done to see how effective this might be, and it’s usually best to stay away from this plant.
As the False Forget-me-not, it’s no surprise you can confuse Hackelia Floribunda with true Forget-me-not. Height is the main difference between the two. The False variety grows straight up to 3 feet tall, while the True variety spreads out in a mat on the ground. See below for a deeper description of the true Forget-me-not.
Flowers:
- Funnel-shaped
- 5 lobes around the mouth of a central tube
- Tiny
- Pale blue
Seeds:
- Small
- Green
- Flattened nutlets
- A line of prickles along one edge
Leaves:
General:
- Stems grow at a 45-degree angle
- Up to 3ft tall
Flossflower is a great example of a weed that is both aesthetically pleasing and useful in some situations. Native to South and Central America, this plant has become a notable invasive in the southeastern US. This plant is also harmful to animals that graze, so it should be taken out of areas where animals and livestock live.
It’s an aggressive grower but looks beautiful to both people and pollinators when planted in gardens. Historically, leaves from the Flossflower have been pressed against wounds to help stop bleeding. More recent studies have shown the oils from this plant contain antimicrobial, antifungal, and pesticide properties. While it’s not edible, it has plenty of uses to go around!
Flossflower and Blue Mistflower look very similar (see above for a description of the differences)
Flowers:
- Feathery
- Grow in slightly rounded clusters
- 5-15 tubular florets
- Wilted flowers are replaced by new ones
Leaves:
- Oval to Heart-shaped
- 2in long
General:
Here’s how to identify Flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum)
Our first aquatic plant! Forget-me-nots enjoy growing in ponds, swamps, or anywhere they have access to constant water. It’s a popular plant for home water features, but if it gets out into the wild, it can push out native plants. Why is it called a “scorpion” plant? Because the flower stems start out curled up and then unfold as the flowers open.
Historically it’s been used to treat bronchitis and whooping cough. It is considered mildly toxic and has been linked with liver damage when consumed regularly.
True Forget-me-not looks highly similar to the false variety (See above).
Flowers:
- Sky blue with yellow center
- 5 petals around the mouth of a central tube
Seeds:
Leaves:
- Hairy undersides
- Lance-shaped
- Prominent central vein
General:
- Stems are angled
- Stems are hairy
- Low growing
- Aquatic
- Buds form along tightly coiled stems
How to Identify Small Weeds With Tiny Blue Flowers in Lawns
FAQ
What weed has a small blue flower?
Should I remove speedwell?
How to get rid of speedwell weed?
What is the weed that has small purple flowers?
What Weed has blue flowers?
One such weed with blue flowers is the butterfly weed. To identify it, look for a plant with bright orange flowers and long, narrow leaves. The flowers are usually clustered at the top of the plant and bloom from June to September. To control butterfly weed, you can remove it manually or use herbicides.
What does a blue weed look like?
These medium-sized weeds with tiny blue flowers grow in moist, shaded areas with rich soil. Although the blooms are famous for appearing violet, they can also be pink, yellow, white, blue, or purple. They have lance-shaped leaves and can get up to 18 inches tall. They were brought to North America by European settlers.
What flowers are a good weed?
Some of our favorites are Columbine aquilegia, common blue violet, forget-me-not, Siberian squill, tiny bluets, Himalayan blue poppy, aster, and morning glories. Blue flowers are beautiful. Even if some gardeners consider some of them weeds!
What is a Bluebell weed called?
Mountain Violet is a small plant with delicate purple or blue flowers. It grows in mountainous regions and blooms in spring. 24. Common Bluebell Botanical Name: Hyacinthoides non-scripta Common Bluebell blooms in woodlands and meadows during spring. These Weeds with Blue Flowers create colorful carpets beneath trees and in grassy areas. 25.