Why Are There Weeds Coming Through My Artificial Grass? (And How to Stop Them)
Artificial Grass is low maintenance NOT no maintenance!
Why Are There Weeds Coming Through My Artificial Grass? (And How to Stop Them)
You chose artificial grass for a reason: a perfect lawn with minimal fuss. So, when those annoying green (or pink-stemmed!) invaders start appearing, it's understandably frustrating.
The good news is that with a proper understanding of the causes and a simple maintenance routine, you can keep your lawn looking pristine.
Causes of Weed Growth
It's very unlikely that weeds can grow through a properly installed, high-quality artificial lawn and sub-base. When weeds appear, they almost always fall into one of two categories:
Surface Weeds (The Most Common Cause)
Weeds are masters of survival, and their seeds are carried everywhere by the wind, birds, and even your own shoes.
The Cause: These airborne seeds (like dandelion or thistle fluff) land and germinate in the tiny pockets of organic debris that naturally build up in the turf infill—things like dust, pollen, pet hair, or decaying leaf matter. They are literally growing on your grass, not through it.
The Fix: These weeds have shallow roots and are the easiest to manage with simple maintenance.
Deep-Rooted or Perimeter Weeds
The Cause:
Seeds getting lodged in the small edging gap: Weeds can grow vigorously at the edges where the grass meets a flower bed or patio slab, as seeds/soil can build up in these gaps.
In rare cases, tough weeds like Mare's Tail or Japanese Knotweed can penetrate a weed membrane laid during installation.
✂️ Solutions and Maintenance Plan
Keeping your lawn weed-free is all about being proactive. Follow these three simple steps:
1. Brush the Grass Regularly
Regular brushing is the single best way to prevent weeds.
Use a stiff-bristled brush or a power broom.
Brush against the pile direction to lift the blades and clear out the organic debris and airborne seeds trapped at the base.
This removes the "soil" the surface weeds need to germinate.
2. Lift Emerging Weeds Quickly
If you spot a weed, don't wait for it to take hold.
Manual Removal: For isolated weeds, simply pluck them out. Because they only have a shallow hold on the infill, they should lift easily.
Apply Weed Killer: For a larger outbreak, a standard non-oil-based general weed killer (like glyphosate) is normally perfectly safe to use on artificial turf fibres (test first, however, on a spare piece of the same grass). Apply directly to the weeds and allow them to die before removing them.
3. Ensure a Solid Perimeter Barrier
When your lawn was installed by a professional, key barriers were used to prevent deep-rooted growth and boundary weeds:
High-Quality Geotextile: We use a high-quality non-woven geotextile membrane beneath the sub-base. A common mistake in DIY is placing a cheap membrane just under the turf; we ensure a robust solution is used in the foundation.
A Note for Dog Owners: We advise against placing a membrane directly on top of the sub-base, as this can trap pet urine and cause odours. A proper, porous base allows for excellent drainage.
Concrete Edging: As professional installer we often uses a solid, continuous border of concrete (under the grass) around the perimeter edges during installation (premium packages). This simple addition creates a sealed, almost impenetrable barrier that significantly reduces the likelihood of seeds etc taking hold at the most vulnerable point.
Artificial grass is incredibly low-maintenance, but "low" doesn't mean "zero." By dedicating a small amount of time to the simple maintenance steps above, you can ensure your lawn remains a perfect, weed-free showpiece for years to come.
If you have a persistent or unusual weed problem, or if you suspect an installation issue, contact the Cutting Edge team—we're always here to help you protect your investment.
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