Cleavers

Garden Problems ,

Cleavers is a common annual weed found in gardens. The leaves, stems and fruit 'stick' to clothing.

Identify the problem
Cleavers (aka sticky willow, bedstraw, goosegrass, robin-run-the-hedge and others) is an annual weed that clings strongly to clothing as if it is sticky. The leaves, stems and fruits are actually covered with tiny hooks which help them "stick" to fibres.
It is a climbing and crawling weed with long weak stems. It uses the hooks to climb up over surrounding plants and structures such as fences. The fruits are spread by clinging to animals and then falling off far from the parent plants.
How to solve the problem
- Cleavers have shallow root systems and are easily pulled out. Use Kiwicare Weed Weapon Extra Strength or Rapid Action to spray and kill cleavers taking care not to spray garden plants.
- In organic gardens Weed Weapon Natural Power will effectively kill cleavers.
- To prevent germination of seed and growth of bulbs use Weed Weapon Long Term or Weed Weapon Preventer can be used in areas once weeds have been cleared.
Did you know?
- Cleavers is a weed of the bedstraw family which includes a very similar weed called slender bedstraw with a smaller more slender stems.
- Latin names: Cleavers - Galium aparine, Slender bedstraw - Galium divaricatum