Common Chickweed: Identification, impact and control in UK cereal production
Weed profile of Common chickweed (Stellaria media). Discover growth habits, impact, and effective UK weed management strategies.
Chickweed is found in many areas of the UK and can be an issue due to germination throughout the growing season and the formation of a dense mat of weeds which spreads over the ground.
It is an annual weed, short but outward spreading and can be dense.
| Resistance risk | ALS TSR |
|---|---|
| Leaves | Oval and end in a small point. Chickweed produced small five-petalled white flowers. |
| Number of seeds produced per plant | 2500 (8 seeds/flower) |
| Seed shed | May to October |
| Germination period | Throughout the year |
| Germination depth | 3 - 4 cm |
| Primary dormancy | Some |
| Secondary dormancy | Some |
| Seed longevity | 2 - 5 years, but some >5 years |
| Factor promoting germination | Predominantly light, but some dark |
| Rate of seed decline with cultivations | 48% per year |
| Soil type and geographic location | Very widespread across the UK. Favours fertile nitrogen-rich soils. It likes moisture, but not waterlogged soil. usually grows under and altitude of 200m, but can grow in altitudes up to 400m. |
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