Plantain, meaning “plant that works” due to the medicinal properties the Romans found in it, is a weed found in fields, wastelands and residential lawns. In some parts of the world, the leaves are eaten as a salad. They may also be served cooked, in the same way as kale or spinach. Plantain is also said to have blood, lung and stomach purifying properties. In Chinese culture, this plant is used for its diuretic properties. Finally, it is also used in certain cultures to heal wounds, cuts, ulcers, etc.

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In the province of Quebec, plantain has been a particularly prevalent weed over the past 10 years. Previously, plantain and many other tough weeds could be treated with permitted herbicides. Now that government regulations are in place, controlling it is becoming increasingly complicated. Since the mature plantain stem can reach 50 centimetres, many homeowners are enraged by it. A bit like the dandelion, in addition to having a dominant root system, its foliage tends to prevent neighboring lawns from accessing the sun’s light rays. Deprived of these, grasses can’t photosynthesize properly and their survival is therefore threatened.

Although Canadian and Quebec government-registered herbicides can’t effectively control this weed, it’s important to remember that certain cultural practices can be very beneficial. Of course, manual control can have a rapid effect on the aesthetics of a lawn. All you have to do is cut the root with a knife to get rid of it. But don’t forget that if the root isn’t cut deeply enough, there’s always a risk of regrowth.

It should also be added that other cultural practices such as aeration and soil amendment could also reduce the risk of plantain spreading. Aeration will have the effect of leaving more room for the lawn’s root system, leaving less room for those of plantain and other weeds. In addition, an acidic environment caused by frequent acid rain is conducive to weed propagation. A soil conditioner may also be recommended to reduce the risk of plantain.

Finally, recurring lawn treatments, year after year, can also help reduce the risk of weed establishment. Herbicides legal in Quebec can help control plantain over several years.

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