Phyllanthus tenellus, commonly known as Hen & Chicken, is a branched, herbaceous plant with an upright growth habit, usually reaching around 0.5 m high. It can behave as an annual or a perennial depending on climate, persisting year-round in subtropical and tropical areas.

This weed tends to appear in nurseries during the warmer months and can be particularly difficult to control once established. Its small greenish-white flowers form along slender branchlets, followed by tiny round fruits that eject seeds short distances when ripe allowing new plants to pop up quickly across production areas.

Phyllanthus tenellus thrives in moist, disturbed sites such as potting media, drainage areas, or tears in nursery fabric. Because many pre-emergent herbicides are ineffective, the best control strategy is prevention: avoid letting plants reach the flowering or fruiting stage. Manual removal of young plants is effective, and chemical control can be used where appropriate.

Maintaining good hygiene, checking high-moisture zones, and acting early are the most reliable ways to keep this persistent summer weed from taking root in your nursery.