DANDELIONS

Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals

IDENTIFICATION
AND LIFE CYCLE
Dandelion is a perennial that grows
best in moist areas in full sun; how-
ever, it can survive some shade and
dry conditions once established (Fig.
1). Dandelion grows year round in
California except in the coldest inter-
mountain areas where it is dormant
during the winter. It produces a strong
taproot that is capable of penetrating Figure 2. Deeply serrated dandelion leaf
the soil to a depth of 10 to 15 feet, but it margin.
is most commonly 6 to 18 inches deep.
Buds grow from the uppermost area of
the root, producing a crown that can terminates in a parachute-like struc-
regenerate “new” plants even though ture (pappus), allowing the seed to
the plant is cut off at or below the soil be transported via wind currents for
surface. Sections of the root as short miles (Fig. 3).
Figure 1. Dandelion.
as 1 inch in length are also capable
of producing new plants. There are Seed germination occurs at or very
no true stems, rather the leaves are near the soil surface. Light increases
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), clustered in a rosette at the base of the germination. The seed germinates
also known as lion’s tooth, puffball, plant. Leaves vary in length from 2 to when soil is moist and soil tem-
blowball, and monk’s head, is a major 14 inches and from 1/2 to 3 inches wide. perature is at least 50°F; however,
problem in turf, ornamental plant- Margins of the leaves are deeply ser- germination is more rapid when the
ings, meadows, pastures, and alfalfa. rated forming the typical “lion’s tooth” soil temperatures are closer to 77°F.
The genus Taraxacum consists of outline from which the name is derived Germination occurs throughout the
about 40 species worldwide, but only (dent-de-lion = tooth of the lion) (Fig. 2). growing season. The seedling stage
two are found in California. Taraxa-
can last 8 to 15 weeks, depending on
cum californicum is found in mountain Flowering stalks are 6 to 24 inches in temperature and growing conditions.
meadows and T. officinale is found as length and terminate in a compound
a weed throughout California. inflorescence or head that contains
100 to 300 ray flowers and looks like a
Dandelion was introduced from characteristic puffball. Each ray flow-
Europe and has been used as a pot- er has a strap-shaped yellow petal
herb and medicinal plant since Ro- with five notches at the tip. Dandeli-
man times. It has a high vitamin and on flowers are not normally pollinat-
mineral content. Mature leaves are ed but develop asexually. Flowering
often dried and used to make a mild occurs nearly year round in the tem-
tea. Roots are often used to make perate climatic regions of California. pappus
stronger tea or dried and used for The seeds are achenes and are about
various medicinal purposes includ- 1/8 inch in length with five to eight
ing a mild diuretic. Salads, beer, and ribs. At the apex of the achene there achene
wine are also made from the leaves is a slender stalk (about two to four
and flowers. times the length of the achene) that Figure 3. Dandelion seed.

PEST NOTES
University of California
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Publication 7469

revised July 2006

July 2006 Dandelions

Seedling growth is slower in cold California where these sites remain dividual weeds and their roots while
weather. in production for long periods of minimizing soil disturbance. Control
time (more than 5 years). Although it dandelion plants before they set seed
Flowering begins soon after the seed- is slow to establish, once established to reduce the potential for further in-
ling stage and continues throughout it is difficult to control because of its vasion by this weed. Also, landscape
the life of the plant. Dandelion plants extensive root system. fabrics (see “Ornamentals” below)
can survive for many years, devel- can be used to control this weed.
oping massive, thickened crowns 6 MANAGEMENT
to 10 inches across. These perennial Because dandelion seed can be wind- Turfgrass
plants are well adapted to irrigated borne for several miles, prevention of No single control procedure has been
areas such as in turfgrass, pastures, new infestations is difficult. Solitary successful in controlling dandelion
or alfalfa where frequent mowing or new dandelion plants along fence in turfgrass. Early grubbing of new
grazing is practiced. rows, roadsides, flower beds, and seedlings has been successful when
in turfgrass should be grubbed out practiced diligently. These plants
IMPACT (digging out the entire plant, taproot must be dug up regularly for several
Dandelion can be a major weed prob- and all) before they produce seed. years to be successfully eliminated.
lem for turf and ornamental man- Monitor the area for several months Spot spraying isolated plants with
agers. In turf, it forms clumps that to make sure that removal was com- glyphosate can be helpful, but the
cause poor footing for athletic fields plete. Areas with infestations should turfgrass is killed, leaving open ar-
and golf courses. Dandelion’s texture be isolated and seed heads removed eas. Overseed the open spots to es-
and color vary from that of normal until control can be accomplished. tablish a vigorous turf sod.
turfgrass and the yellow flowers Turfgrass and ornamental areas
reduce the aesthetic quality of the should be well maintained to assure The preemergent herbicides com-
turfgrass. maximum vigor. Making these plant- monly used to control crabgrass in
ings as competitive as possible will turfgrass have not been successful in
When dandelion infests turfgrass and slow invasion of the weed. Dense limiting germination of dandelion.
ornamental plantings, it forms dense stands of turfgrass and ornamentals However, a relatively new broadleaf
circular mats of leaves (6 to 14 inches shade the soil surface, making the preemergent herbicide, isoxaben, has
in diameter) that crowd out desirable establishment of new dandelion seed- been effective but, like all preemer-
species and reduce the vigor of those lings more difficult. gent herbicides, must be applied to
plants that survive. Because of the the soil before the dandelion seed
extensive root system of established Home Landscapes germinates (Table 1).
plants, hand-pulling or hoeing to In the home landscape, dandelion
remove dandelion is usually futile plants can easily be grubbed out, Postemergent herbicides that control
unless done repeatedly over a long especially when they are young. Dan- broadleaf weeds (2,4-D, triclopyr,
period of time. Thus, control by this delion knives and similar specialized MCPA, and mecoprop) can control
means is most successful in areas tools are available for removing in- dandelion seedlings. Control of es-
such as home lawns and gardens.
Once a few plants become established
in turfgrass or ornamental areas, TABLE 1. Summary of Herbicides for Dandelion Control.
their seed can be spread by wind or
equipment. Applied to Readily
soil before Applied to available to
Site Material germination young plants home gardeners
Dandelion is also found in nontilled
Turfgrass glyphosate — x yes
orchards where mowing is used for isoxaben x — yes
weed control. It can be a problem in 2,4-D — x yes
spring when trees are in bloom be- triclopyr — x yes
MCPA — x yes
cause it is very attractive to bees. The mecoprop — x yes
pappus on the seed frequently clogs Ornamentals isoxaben x — no
up tractor radiators, and roots of dan- oxyfluorfen x — no
delion are attractive to gophers. As Orchards glyphosate — x yes
a weed in irrigated pastures and al- x = yes
falfa, dandelion is usually most seri- — = no
ous in the intermountain regions of

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July 2006 Dandelions

tablished plants with a postemergent to penetrate to the soil. Use a poly- Few postemergent herbicides are
treatment is much more difficult; propylene or polyester fabric or black registered for use in established or-
2,4-D works best for established dan- polyethylene (plastic tarp) to block all namental plantings. Spot treatment
delion control while triclopyr, MCPA, plant growth. Fabric mulches should with glyphosate can control existing
and mecoprop reduce dandelion be covered with an organic mulch dandelion plants, but do not allow
vigor but do not kill it. to improve aesthetics and to reduce the spray or drift to contact desirable
photodegradation. Organic mulches plants or injury will result.
Ornamentals such as wood chips or bark may also
There are few options for the control be effective in controlling dandelion Orchards
of dandelion in ornamental plant- seedlings if they are at least 3 inches Dandelion can be managed in com-
ings. Prevention is very important. deep and are managed in such a way mercial orchards through summer
Hand removal or spot treatment of as to not provide a growth medium cultivations or by maintaining a
solitary plants with glyphosate will for new dandelion seedlings. competitive cover crop. Glyphosate
save time and money in the long run. is often used to spot treat individual
Pulling or hand-hoeing is helpful if Isoxaben and oxyfluorfen have been plants.
done periodically during the year; useful in limiting dandelion infesta-
however, regrowth from the exten- tions when they are applied to the REFERENCES
sive perennial root system limits the soil before the seed germinates. Letchamo, W., and A. Gosselin. 1996.
effectiveness of this method. These materials can only be applied Light, temperature and duration of
by a licensed pesticide applicator, storage govern the germination and
Mulching with landscape fabrics and control may be difficult because emergence of Taraxacum officinale
can be particularly effective for of dandelion’s extended germination seed. J. of Hort. Sci. 71(3):373-377.
controlling seedlings if the fabric is period. If isoxaben is used, lightly
overlapped and no light is allowed hoe any dandelion seedlings that Mitich, L. W. 1989. Common
escape the treatment; if oxyfluorfen dandelion—the lion’s tooth. Weed Tech.
For more information contact the University is used, do not disturb the soil after 3:537-539. ❖
of California Cooperative Extension in your application.
county. See your telephone directory for
addresses and phone numbers.

AUTHORS: D. W. Cudney, Botany/Plant

Sciences emeritus, UC Riverside; C. L.
Elmore, Veg Crops/Weed Science emeritus,
UC Davis
Special Thanks for the review of the 2006
revision: S. B. Orloff, UC Cooperative
Extension, Siskiyou Co.
TECHNICAL EDITOR: M. L. Flint
COORDINATION & PRODUCTION: P. N. Galin
ILLUSTRATIONS: Fig. 1-3: A. Childs

Produced by IPM Education & Publications,

UC Statewide IPM Program, University of
California, Davis, CA 95616-8620
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Confine chemicals to the property being treated. Avoid drift onto neighboring properties, especially gardens
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Integrated Pest Management. Personnel Services Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside

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