Pennywort is a creeping lawn and garden weed with round, scalloped leaves that spreads fast in damp, shaded or poorly drained spots. You control it by fixing the wet conditions that suit it, pulling out the runners by hand and, where needed, using a registered herbicide exactly as the label directs.
Some people search for it as penny wart. This guide shows how to identify pennywort, why it appears, how to remove it and what a gardener charges in Sydney.
Key points
- Pennywort thrives in wet, shaded, compacted soil, so improving drainage and sunlight is as important as removing the plant.
- Hand pulling works on small patches if you remove the creeping stems and roots, and repeat as new shoots appear.
- Use only registered herbicides, follow the label, and remember that paid weed spraying in NSW needs an EPA ground applicator licence.
- Weed removal costs about $57 to $105 per hour in Sydney, typically $75 (October 2026).
What is pennywort?
Pennywort covers several creeping plants, mostly in the Hydrocotyle group, with small round leaves held on slender stalks. In Sydney it often shows up in damp lawns under shade trees or along downpipes.
| Term | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pennywort | Creeping weed with round, coin-shaped leaves | It forms dense mats that crowd out turf |
| Penny wart | A common alternative spelling of the same search | Look for the same round leaves on creeping stems |
| Runners (stolons) | Creeping stems that root at the nodes | Leaving fragments behind lets the weed regrow |
| Selective herbicide | A registered product that targets certain weeds | The label must list the weed and your lawn type |
| Poor drainage | Soil that stays wet after rain | The main reason pennywort establishes |
How to identify pennywort in your lawn
Pennywort is easy to confuse with dichondra and other round-leaved plants. These checks help you identify it before you treat it.
- Look for round to kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges, held on stalks that rise from creeping stems.
- Check whether the leaves are attached to the middle of the stalk, a feature of many pennywort types.
- Pull a piece and check for roots forming along the creeping stem, because this is how it spreads.
- Note whether it grows in the wettest, shadiest parts of the lawn, which is where it prefers to grow.
- Compare it with other weeds in our common lawn weeds guide, and take a sample to a nursery if you are unsure.
Why pennywort grows in lawns
The weed shows up where the lawn is weak. Fix the cause first, or it returns.
- Overwatering or leaking taps keep the soil wet, which suits pennywort and weakens most turf.
- Shade from fences, trees and buildings reduces turf growth and lets the weed fill the gaps.
- Compacted clay soil in western Sydney drains slowly, so water pools after rain.
- Low spots and poor grading collect run-off from paths and roofs.
- Thin lawn from low mowing gives the weed room to spread.
How to remove pennywort step by step
- Water the soil lightly the day before, so roots and runners slide out more easily.
- Loosen the mat with a hand fork and lift the runners with as much root as you can.
- Bag the pulled pennywort for the green waste bin, because fragments can root again if composted loosely.
- Rake the area to remove loose stems, and check for small pieces left in the soil.
- Improve drainage by aerating compacted soil and filling low spots with sandy topsoil or turf mix.
- Reseed or lay turf on bare patches soon after, so the weed has no space to return.
- Check weekly for regrowth and pull new shoots while they are small.
Mow at a healthy height
Mowing at the recommended height for your grass keeps the lawn thick and shades out the weed. Check your grass variety’s guide for the right height.
Pennywort herbicide: using weed killers safely
Herbicides can help on large infestations, but they only work if the product is registered for the weed and your lawn type. Read the label carefully before you buy.
- Choose a registered selective product whose label lists pennywort or Hydrocotyle and your grass type, such as buffalo, kikuyu or couch.
- Follow the label exactly for mixing, application and watering in, and never mix products or use them off label.
- Wear the protective gear the label lists, and keep children and pets off treated areas until the label says it is safe.
- Do not spray in wind or before rain, and keep runoff out of drains and waterways.
- Paid weed spraying in NSW needs an EPA ground applicator licence, though routine garden maintenance has an exemption.
- For more on products, see our guides to weed and feed, Spartan herbicide and Bow and Arrow weed killer.
Natural ways to kill pennywort
Home remedies come with trade-offs, so use them carefully. Our guide on how to kill weeds naturally compares the options.
- Hand weeding is the safest option for small patches, and it works best on moist soil.
- Smothering with cardboard and mulch can starve small areas of light, but it also kills the grass beneath.
- Vinegar burns leaves but is non-selective and rarely kills the roots, so the weed returns.
- Salt and bleach damage soil over the long term and harm nearby plants, so avoid them.
- Boiling water kills everything it touches, including turf and roots you want to keep.
Pennywort compared with other lawn weeds
| Weed | Where it grows | Key difference | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennywort | Damp, shaded or poorly drained lawns | Round, scalloped leaves on creeping stems | This guide |
| Onion weed | Lawns and garden beds | Strap-like leaves and a bulb; smells of onion | Onion weed |
| Bindii | Thin lawns in winter and spring | Feathery leaves and spiny seed heads | Bindii weed killer |
| Other broadleaf weeds | Varies by lawn | Identify before you treat | Common lawn weeds |
Preventing pennywort from coming back
- Water deeply and rarely, and follow Sydney Water’s Water Wise Guidelines: before 10 am and after 4 pm, using a trigger nozzle.
- Aerate compacted soil once a year in the warm growing season to improve drainage.
- Prune low branches or hedges to let more light reach shaded lawn.
- Top up bare patches with turf or seed before weeds move in.
- Edge beds and paths so runners cannot creep in from neighbouring areas.
Common pennywort mistakes
- Spraying without fixing drainage, which means the weed returns within weeks.
- Leaving runner fragments in the soil, where they root and regrow.
- Using a herbicide that does not list pennywort or your lawn type on the label.
- Mowing too low, which thins the turf and opens space for weeds.
- Mixing products or using more than the label allows, which can damage the lawn and the environment.
- Using salt or bleach, which harm soil long term.
When to call a gardener for pennywort
- The weed covers a large area, and you need it removed and the green waste taken away.
- You want paid weed spraying; book someone with the right EPA ground applicator licence.
- Drainage problems need regrading or pipework; book a licensed plumber or handyman for retaining walls and drains.
- Grubs or insects are damaging the lawn; book a licensed pest controller.
- The lawn needs aeration, top dressing or new turf after the weeds are gone.
- You would rather have regular visits to keep the lawn thick and weed-free.
Pennywort removal cost in Sydney
Prices include GST and reflect Sydney metro rates for October 2026.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weed removal (per hour) | $57 | $75 | $105 |
| Gardener (per hour) | $52 | $75 | $115 |
| Lawn aeration, up to about 150 m² (per job) | $92 | $170 | $290 |
| Turf laying (per m²) | $17 | $29 | $46 |
| Mowing, medium lawn 100–250 m² (per visit) | $65 | $100 | $150 |
FAQ: pennywort questions
What is penny wart?
Penny wart is a common alternative spelling of pennywort, a creeping weed with round, scalloped leaves. It grows in damp, shaded or poorly drained lawns, and spreads by creeping stems that root as they go.
How do you get rid of pennywort in a lawn?
Pull the creeping stems and roots by hand, fix drainage and shade, and re-turf bare patches. For large areas, use a registered herbicide whose label lists pennywort and your grass type, and follow the label exactly.
Why does pennywort keep coming back?
It returns because small stem fragments root again and the damp, shaded conditions remain. Remove all runners, improve drainage, reduce watering and keep the lawn thick so the weed has no space to settle.
Is pennywort harmful to lawns?
It is not toxic to lawns, but it forms dense mats that crowd out turf and make wet patches worse. Remove it early, and fix the underlying moisture and shade problems so healthy grass can recover.
Getting pennywort removed in Sydney
If you’d rather not spend the weekend on your knees, we mow, weed, edge and tidy lawns across Sydney. Book lawn mowing and weed control in Sydney and get an itemised quote.
