Photo by Rodney G. Lym. Roots are most abundant in the upper foot of soil but can extend to a depth of at least 15 feet. The roots contain many buds that can produce new shoots if the upper portion is destroyed. Roots of leafy spurge often grow to the water table and contain a large reserve of nutrients allowing the plant to regrow despite repeated control efforts. Photo by Rodney G. Lym.
Herbicides are the most widely used treatment for leafy spurge control.
However, control with herbicides is not always practical due to the high cost of treating large infested areas. Also, the weed frequently occurs in environmentally sensitive areas, such as near water, where herbicide use is restricted. Non-herbicide control options such as biological and cultural methods can provide good but not complete leafy spurge control. This treatment will provide 90 percent or greater control in three to five years when applied annually. Several of these herbicides have specific uses, such as near water, on non-cropland, or near trees.