Can Weeds Grow Through Artificial Grass?

Artificial grass stays green year-round and is perfect for family homes, with no mud and an easy-to-clean surface that keeps your garden looking fresh. But is artificial grass weed-proof? Let's find out.

Can Weeds Grow Through Artificial Grass?

Weeds should not grow through artificial grass, but it can happen. Usually, weeds grow through turf when a weed-proof barrier (like our heavy-duty weed control membrane) has not been installed underneath the grass before it's laid.

You can get weeds growing on top of artificial grass. These look like they're growing through the turf, but in reality, the weeds are growing on top of the grass. These need to be treated quickly to prevent damage to your artificial turf.

What Weed Barrier is Best For Artificial Grass?

You should install a good weed barrier beneath artificial grass to prevent weeds. A permeable membrane is the best weed barrier for artificial grass.

These are specifically designed to prevent plant life from growing under your grass while promoting good drainage. This prevents flooding during rainfall or cleaning.

We recommend treating the area with a strong weed killer before laying the membrane to prevent weeds.

How Do You Keep Weeds From Growing On Fake Grass?

To keep weeds from growing on fake grass, you should follow the recommended steps to install artificial grass properly. You should also take measures to protect your grass from weeds after it's been laid.

Before Installation

The best artificial turf weed control happens before installing your artificial lawn. Before installing your grass, you should:

1. Treat the area with weed killer

We recommend liberally treating the area with weed killer before installing artificial turf. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, and be sure to keep pets or children away from the area after treatment.

2. Install a weed-suppressant membrane

Installing a weed barrier beneath your artificial grass is an effective way of preventing weeds from appearing.

3. Use a base material instead of soil

You can lay artificial grass on top of soil to keep costs down, but installing a base material is the best solution for ensuring weed-proof artificial grass.

We recommend adding a layer of crushed stone or gravel on top of the soil, followed by a weed barrier for fake grass (such as a weed-proof membrane).

After Installation

Weeds can still appear on top of artificial grass rather than underneath it. To prevent weeds in artificial grass once it's been laid, you can:

1. Brush when debris builds up

Leaves and other debris can contain seeds. Pick up debris and brush the area to disperse seeds and prevent them from growing into weeds on your artificial lawn.

2. Routinely rinse

Frequently hosing your artificial grass is beneficial in more ways than one. Primarily, it can disperse any small seeds that land on your grass and filter them away.

It's also a good way to keep artificial grass cool in summer and ensure your lawn stays clean and smelling fresh.

3. Treat weeds quickly

When weeds manage to grow on your artificial turf, act quickly to prevent the seeds from spreading and damage to the membrane underneath.

Use hot water (not boiling) on top of weeds to kill them before removing the remnants, or use a weed killer and follow the accompanying instructions.