How do I tell nutsedge from grass?

Nutsedge has a triangular stem (roll it between your fingers — grass stems are round or flat) and grows noticeably faster than surrounding turf, standing taller within days of mowing.

Why does nutsedge keep coming back after I pull it?

Nutsedge spreads via underground tubers ('nutlets'). Pulling the visible plant leaves the tubers in soil, which resprout — often making hand-pulling counterproductive without also targeting the tubers.

Weed Identification•6 min read•Last Updated: July 22, 2026

Nutsedge: Why It's So Hard to Kill

Quick Answer

Nutsedge is a sedge, not a grass or broadleaf weed, so standard herbicides don't work on it. You need a nutsedge-specific herbicide targeting its underground tubers, and usually a two-application cycle to fully clear an infestation.

Identification Why It's Hard to Kill Treatment FAQ

Identifying Nutsedge

Nutsedge looks grass-like at a glance but has a distinctly triangular stem — roll a stem between your fingers and you'll feel three flat sides, unlike the round or flat stems of true grass. It also grows noticeably faster than surrounding turf, often standing visibly taller within days of mowing (a useful spot-check from a distance).

Why Standard Weed Killer Doesn't Work

Nutsedge belongs to the sedge family, botanically distinct from both grasses and broadleaf weeds. Herbicides formulated for crabgrass (a grass) or dandelion (a broadleaf) are built around different plant biology and simply don't affect sedges. It also spreads via underground tubers, or "nutlets," which regenerate new plants even after the visible top-growth is removed.

One application usually isn't enough

Because tubers can survive a single treatment, most nutsedge-specific herbicides need a second application 3-6 weeks after the first to fully break the regrowth cycle.

Treatment Steps

Use a nutsedge-specific herbicide (check the label specifically lists yellow or purple nutsedge)
Apply during active growth, typically summer, for best uptake
Plan on a second application 3-6 weeks later per the product label
Improve drainage where possible — nutsedge often thrives in consistently wet or poorly-drained soil

See our soil compaction guide if drainage is a recurring issue in the affected area.

Frequently Asked Questions

No — despite the grass-like blades, nutsedge is a sedge (family Cyperaceae), which is why grass-targeted and broadleaf herbicides don't work on it.