Does your perfect green lawn look more like a patchy battlefield against unwanted invaders? You spend hours watering, mowing, and caring for your grass, only to see dandelions and crabgrass stubbornly popping up everywhere. It’s frustrating! Choosing the right product to kill weeds in your lawn can feel overwhelming. Shelves are packed with sprays, granules, and different formulas promising magic results, but how do you know which one actually works without harming your healthy grass?
Many homeowners worry about accidentally bleaching their turf or using chemicals that are harsh on pets and children. You want effective weed control, but you also want a safe, beautiful lawn. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the best weed killers available, explaining what they do and when to use them.
By the end of this post, you will know exactly which product fits your lawn’s needs. Get ready to say goodbye to those pesky intruders and hello to a lush, weed-free yard. Let’s dive into finding your lawn’s new secret weapon!
Top Product To Kill Weeds In Lawn Recommendations
- Weed killer for lawns: Kill weeds in your lawn, including dandelion, chickweed, clover, crabgrass and foxtail with the Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray
- Fast-acting weed control: This weed control product kills listed weeds like crabgrass, dandelion, clover, chickweed and creeping charlie down to the root and gets results with 1 application
- Broadcast treatment for weeds: Won't harm lawn grasses when used as directed - use on lawn grasses including Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass and Zoysiagrass
- Spray weed killer: Apply to weeds that are young and actively growing by connecting your garden hose to the sprayer, sliding the switch to "ON" and spraying evenly until the lawn is wet
- Ready to spray: This 32 oz. container of Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- Use Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Spray to kill weeds down to the root, without harming your lawn (when used as directed); you'll see visible results in hours
- KILLS WEEDS: This lawn weed killer kills over 250 common weeds, including dandelions, clover, poison ivy, chickweed, and dollarweed (see product label for complete weed list)
- LAWN FRIENDLY: It contains three proven ingredients that target common lawn weeds, so it won’t harm your grass (when used as directed)
- RESULTS YOU CAN SEE: Visible results in hours; rainproof in 1 hour upon drying; people and pets may enter the treated area after the spray has dried
- EASY TO USE: To apply, connect your garden hose to the sprayer and set the nozzle to your desired setting
- Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control kills weeds and gives your lawn a quick boost of nitrogen to promote greening
- Liquid weed killer plus fertilizer controls dandelion, clover, ground ivy, henbit, chickweed, plantain, poison ivy, and other broadleaf weeds as listed
- Apply this ready-to-spray weed and feed when weeds are actively growing
- This lawn care product is for use on Bluegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, Bahiagrass, Common Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, and Zoysiagrass
- One 32 fl. oz. container of Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control provides coverage of 6,000 sq. ft. for warm season lawns and 4,000 sq. ft. for cool season lawns
- Weed killer for lawns: Kill weeds including dandelion, dollarweed, chickweed, and clover without harming your lawn (when used as directed) with Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Use1
- Fast-acting weed control: This weed control product kills over 250 listed weeds, including dandelion, clover, chickweed, creeping charlie, and dollarweed, and produces results in hours
- Spot treatment for weeds: Won't harm lawn grasses when used as directed - use on Bahiagrass, Bentgrass, Bermudagrass (hybrid and common), Buffalograss, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Zoysiagrass, and St. Augustinegrass (except Floratam)
- Spray weed killer: Apply this lawn weed killer to small, actively growing weeds when daytime temperatures are below 90°F
- Ready to use: This 1 gal. container of Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns Ready-to-Use1 comes with the continuous-spray Comfort Wand applicator to spot treat weeds in your lawn
- WEED KILLER PLUS LAWN FOOD: Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 weed killer plus fertilizer for grass kills existing listed weeds and feeds to thicken your lawn and crowd out future weeds
- WEED CONTROL FOR LAWNS: These weed killer plus lawn fertilizer granules control over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- WEED AND FEED FOR LAWNS: Apply this combination weed control and lawn food to your wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F; don't apply more than 2X per year
- USE ON LISTED GRASS TYPES: Apply this lawn care product to Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass (temporary discoloration may occur on some grasses)
- DO NOT USE ON: Do not use this weed killer for lawns on St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam), Dichondra, Lippia, Carpetgrass, and Bentgrass lawns
- KILLS HARD-TO-CONTROL WEEDS*: Targets tough weeds like mature crabgrass, dandelion, clover, foxtail and yellow nutsedge so they won’t grow back. *Listed
- WON’T HARM YOUR LAWN*: Gentle on Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, and Fescue. *When used as directed
- FAST ACTING: Starts to work on contact and controls for up to 3 months
- CONTROLS OVER 90 LISTED WEEDS: Contains two proven weed killers to control listed broadleaf and grassy weeds, killing to the root
- KILLS MATURE CRABGRASS: Kills mature, hard-to-control crabgrass down to the root without harming your lawn, when used as directed
Choosing the Best Product to Kill Weeds in Your Lawn
Weeds can make your beautiful lawn look messy. Finding the right weed killer helps you keep your grass green and healthy. This guide will help you pick the perfect product.
1. Key Features to Look For
When shopping for weed killer, look closely at what the product promises.
- **Selective vs. Non-Selective:** This is very important. Selective weed killers target specific weeds (like dandelions) but leave your grass unharmed. Non-selective weed killers kill everything they touch, including your lawn. Most homeowners need selective products.
- **Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent:** Pre-emergent killers stop seeds from sprouting in the first place. Use these early in the spring. Post-emergent killers treat weeds that have already popped up.
- **Speed of Action:** Some products work in hours, while others take several days. If you need quick results, check the label for fast-acting claims.
- **Longevity:** Some products offer long-term control, meaning you don’t have to reapply as often.
2. Important Materials and Ingredients
Weed killers use different chemicals to do their job. Understanding the main ingredients helps you choose safely.
Look for active ingredients like 2,4-D, Dicamba, or MCPP for broadleaf weeds. These are common in selective liquid sprays. Granular products often contain ingredients that stick to the weed when watered. Always check the label to see what chemicals are inside. Safer, natural options sometimes use ingredients like iron or corn gluten meal, but these might work differently or require more applications.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of a weed killer depends on how well it works and how safe it is for your yard.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- **Rainfastness:** A high-quality product sticks to the weed quickly, often within an hour or two. This means a sudden rain shower will not wash the product away before it works.
- **Target Specificity:** The better the product targets only the weeds, the higher the quality. You want zero damage to your desired grass.
- **Ease of Application:** Products that mix easily or spread evenly usually give better results.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- **Systemic vs. Contact:** Some cheap products only burn the top of the weed (contact). The weed often grows back. High-quality products are often systemic, meaning they travel down into the roots, killing the entire plant.
- **Improper Formulation:** If the product is old or stored incorrectly, its effectiveness is reduced.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the product affects your buying decision.
Are you treating a small patch of clover, or do you have a large, widespread infestation? For small spots, a ready-to-use spray bottle is convenient. For a big lawn, a concentrated liquid that you mix and apply with a sprayer, or a granular product spread by a broadcast spreader, saves time and money.
Always read the instructions carefully. Applying too much product can harm your lawn or the environment. Applying too little means the weeds will survive. Good user experience means clear directions and visible results without harming desirable plants nearby.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Weed Killers
Q: Can I use weed killer if I have pets?
A: Yes, but you must wait. Most products require pets and children to stay off the lawn until the spray dries completely. Check the label for the exact drying time, usually one to four hours.
Q: Will this kill my St. Augustine grass?
A: It depends on the product. If you use a selective herbicide made for warm-season grasses, it should be safe. Never use a product labeled for northern lawns (like Kentucky Bluegrass) on St. Augustine grass unless the label specifically says it is safe.
Q: How soon after seeding can I apply a weed killer?
A: Wait until the new grass has been mowed at least twice. Applying weed killer too early can stop the new grass seeds from growing properly.
Q: What is the best time of year to treat weeds?
A: For post-emergent killers, treat weeds when they are actively growing, usually late spring or early fall. For pre-emergent killers, apply early spring before temperatures consistently hit 55°F.
Q: Do I need to water the lawn after applying granular weed killer?
A: Yes, usually. Most granular products need water to activate the chemicals so they can move down to the weed roots. Check the packaging for specific watering instructions.
Q: Can I use lawn weed killer on my driveway cracks?
A: You can, but it is often wasteful. Products labeled for lawns are usually selective. If you want to kill weeds in pavement, a non-selective killer like glyphosate might be faster, but be careful not to spray nearby plants.
Q: Why are some weed killers more expensive?
A: More expensive products often contain newer, more effective chemical combinations or offer better rainfastness and longer-lasting control.
Q: Does sunlight affect how well the spray works?
A: Yes. Most weed killers work best when the sun is out, but the temperature is not too hot (below 85°F). Avoid applying right before intense, midday sun, as this can sometimes cause the product to evaporate too quickly.
Q: What if the weeds look brown but are still there?
A: If the leaves look dead but the base feels firm, the roots might still be alive. Give systemic products up to two weeks to fully kill the plant. If you see new growth, you may need a second application.
Q: Is organic weed killer just as effective as chemical weed killer?
A: Organic options can work well on small, young weeds, but they often require more frequent application and higher doses than traditional chemical products.