Chickweed, formal name Stellaria media, is a low-to-the-ground weed with edible seeds and small flowers. Chickweed is a winter annual, but the plant can stay leafy all year, as well as producing flowers and seeds all year long.
Use this guide to learn where chickweed usually grows and to figure out if you have chickweed on your property. If you do have chickweed, read our guide on how to get rid of chickweed to treat your lawn for this potentially unsightly weed.
Where Am I Likely to Find Chickweed?
Chickweed grows throughout most of the United States (and the rest of North America), but is far less common in the Southeastern U.S. and Texas.
Places to look for chickweed:
- In Lawns
- In Wooded Areas
- In Cropland and Grassy Fields
- In Nursery Plots
- In Damp, Cool Areas
- In Rich, Recently Disturbed Soil
You're likely to find chickweed growing most actively in and around areas used for agriculture from the winter months through the spring, and even into early summer. By mid-summer, this annual weed will have mostly died off, leaving a new generation of seeds behind.
Optimal Conditions for Chickweed Growth
Chickweed prefers damp soil and can grow well in full sun or partial shade. The plant can grow in most soil types, but will thrive in soft, rich soil, and it especially favors recently disturbed plots. For this reason, common chickweed is found less frequently in natural habitats, and more commonly in lawns and gardens, nursery plots, cropland, and assorted areas near buildings.