Weeds are defined as “any plant that is growing where it is not wanted, especially one that grows profusely where garden plants or crops are growing.” They can be considered a weed if they grow in your lawn, flower beds, vegetable gardens, cracks in the pavement of asphalt roads and driveways.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

But what about weeds in winter? Do they die in the winter?

The good news is that weeds generally will not grow in winter. However, there are some exceptions. Some plants have been grown for centuries as part of holiday decorations and landscaping for this very reason: to bloom during winter months when there is little or no other plant life to be seen. In addition, wild plants such as milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), goldenrod (Solidago sp.), black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia hirta), and pineapple weed (Matricaria matricarioides) continue to produce seed late into fall and early winter hours of darkness. These seeds may germinate on warm days throughout cooler months, even through snowfall.

However, these plants will begin to die in the winter at temperatures of -30C and below. So they will probably be dead by January or February.

Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) is a hardy weed that may be able to survive even the coldest weather but its showy flowers are not considered a desirable addition to a garden so most people do consider it a weed during this time of year.

Which weed can grow in the winter?

In warmer climates, this weed can grow all year long. In Toronto, Canada for example, it will keep growing from March to December. It can be found as a wild dandelion throughout North America and Europe along roadsides, meadows, and lawns.

In conclusion, weeds will probably not grow in winter. But there are a few exceptions to this rule. So don’t be surprised if you see some weeds growing even in the cold winter months.