A Las Vegas yard guide

Weeds in Las Vegas

Pull weeds while they are small, before they make seeds. Six to know are goatheads, spurge, mustard, nutsedge, Bermuda grass and purslane.

  • 6 weeds
  • Pull by hand
  • Las Vegas yards
Gloved hands pulling a small weed, roots and all, from a rock yard
Pull a weed while it is small, roots and all.

Six weeds to know

Pull the whole plant, roots and all, and bag it. Bits and seeds left on the ground can grow back.

  • Puncturevine growing flat on gravel, with small yellow flowers and spiky goathead seeds

    Puncturevine (goatheads)

    Puncturevine has sharp seeds called goatheads. It grows flat with small yellow flowers. The seeds stick in shoes, tires and paws, so pull it before they form.

  • Spurge spreading flat like a mat, with tiny oval leaves and red stems

    Spurge

    Pull spurge soon, since it can make seeds in about five weeks. It spreads flat like a mat, and a broken stem leaks milky sap. Its roots are short, so it comes out easily.

  • Sahara mustard, a tall weed with small yellow flowers and thin seed pods

    Sahara mustard

    Pull Sahara mustard in late winter and spring, before it makes seed pods. It is a tall weed with yellow flowers.

  • Nutsedge, with stiff, shiny leaves that look like grass

    Nutsedge

    Nutsedge often means too much water. It looks like grass, but its leaves are thick and stiff. Pull it while it is small, every two or three weeks.

  • Bermuda grass spreading across rock, with low wiry blades and runners

    Bermuda grass

    Bermuda grass is a low, wiry grass that spreads into nearby beds. Cloth under rock or mulch helps keep it out. It does not like long dry spells.

  • Purslane, low to the ground, with thick shiny leaves and red stems

    Purslane

    Bag purslane when you pull it, since bits left on the ground can grow back. It is low, with thick, shiny leaves and small yellow flowers.

Can someone help with my yard?

Yes. Some HappyTaskers do yard work, like pulling weeds or hauling yard waste. Ask before you book.

Questions

When should I pull weeds in Las Vegas?
Pull them while they are small, before they make seeds. Spring weeds sprout early in the year. Goatheads and spurge come in the heat.
What are goatheads?
Goatheads are the spiky seeds of puncturevine. They stick in shoes, tires and paws. Pull the plant before the seeds form.
Why do weeds grow in my rock yard?
Because they get water there. Check for a leaky drip line or a sprinkler that sprays the rock.
Can a HappyTasker spray weed killer?
Only with a state license. Nevada law says you need one to spray weed killer for pay. Ask if a HappyTasker has one, or have them pull weeds by hand.
What do I do with pulled weeds?
Bag them and put them in the trash. Seeds and bits left on the ground can grow back.

Sources

From the University of Nevada Extension and the Nevada Department of Agriculture. We checked them on October 27, 2026.