Does your beautiful green lawn suddenly show strange brown or yellow patches? It can feel like a nightmare when you work hard to keep your grass looking perfect. Fungus is a common enemy for homeowners everywhere. It creeps in silently, turning healthy turf into an unsightly mess.
Choosing the right fungicide feels confusing. You see brand names, chemical ingredients, and different application instructions everywhere. Which one actually works for the disease you have? Using the wrong product wastes time, money, and might even harm your lawn further. Dealing with lawn fungus causes real frustration when you want that vibrant, healthy carpet back.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will clearly explain what lawn fungicides are, how they fight disease, and the simple steps to pick the best one for your specific problem. By the end, you will feel confident protecting your grass.
Ready to stop fungus in its tracks and reclaim your yard? Let’s dive into the essential guide to fungicide for your lawn.
Top Fungicide For Lawn Recommendations
- Use Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide on home lawns to prevent disease before it appears and control disease at the first sign of symptoms
- Controls 26 listed lawn diseases, including brown patch, stem & stripe rust, red thread, powdery mildew, necrotic ring spot, and pink patch
- This fungicide for lawns starts working within 24 hours of application, and continues to control diseases up to 4 weeks
- For best results, begin applications of this lawn care treatment prior to disease symptoms, or when conditions are favorable for disease
- One 10 lb. bag of Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide 10 lb. bag treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- FUNGICIDE: Fungus Control for lawns cures and prevents listed lawn diseases
- 30 DAY PROTECTION: Protects against lawn diseases for up to a month
- DISEASE CONTROL: Fungicide controls Red Threat, Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Rust, and other listed diseases
- RAINPROOF PROTECTION: Systemic Fungicide is absorbed by grass and will not wash off
- Can be used on all lawn types
- Use Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide on home lawns to prevent disease before it appears and control disease at the first sign of symptoms
- Controls 26 listed lawn diseases, including brown patch, stem & stripe rust, red thread, powdery mildew, necrotic ring spot, and pink patch
- This fungicide for lawns starts working within 24 hours of application, and continues to control diseases up to 4 weeks
- For best results, begin applications of this lawn care treatment prior to disease symptoms, or when conditions are favorable for disease
- One 10 lb. bag of Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide 10 lb. bag treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- Azoxystrobin 0.31%
- Golf courses, lawns and landscape areas around residential, institutional, public, commercial and industrial buildings, parks, recreational areas and athletic fields.
- DUAL-ACTION FORMULA: Controls major lawn diseases and fungus, plus kills listed lawn-damaging insects on contact
- RAINPROOF: Rainproof in hours – can’t be washed off by rain
- PREVENTS DISEASE: Start treating when grass begins to green up in the spring; for best results, treat every two weeks
- QUICKFLIP HOSE-END SPRAYER: Attaches easily to your garden hose and activates at the flip of a switch
- FUNGUS CONTROL WITH LASTING FIGHTING POWER: Gravex 20 EW Fungicide contains 19.7% myclobutanil; the same active ingredient as Eagle 20EW specialty fungicide, a trustworthy partner for broad-spectrum fungus takedown.
- CURE + PREVENT: Gravex 20 EW works double duty to deliver proven fungus control. With both curative and preventive properties, Gravex strikes out invading fungus and halts future development.
- DOLLAR SPOT CONTROL IS JUST THE BEGINNING: Gravex 20 EW delivers powerful control to more than 38 troublesome plant fungi. Some of the many include anthracnose, spring dead spot, brown patch, red thread, and rusts in turfgrass as well as powdery mildew, scab, and black spot in ornamentals. See the product label for complete control spectrum.
- FROM LAWN TO LANDSCAPE, GOLF TO GREENHOUSE – WE HAVE YOU COVERED: Approved for multiple use sites and many plant species, Gravex 20 EW is ready to tackle fungus wherever the need. Gravex may be used on common turf species, more than 100 ornamental plants, and residential fruit trees. Refer to the product label for a complete list of tolerant species and application directions.
- PROTECTION THAT GROWS: Don’t let plants outgrow your fungus control treatment. Gravex 20 EW utilizes upward systemic mobility to catch and protect tender new vegetation as it grows. This lasting inside-out approach delivers protection for up to 28 days.
- PROVEN BROAD-SPECTRUM FUNGUS PREVENTION: Gunner 14.3 MEC contains 14.3% propiconazole; the same active ingredient as Banner Maxx, the fungicide golf, landscape, and nursery pros trust for proven protection against more than 20 plant fungi.
- AN ADVANCED FORMULA FOR EASY MIXING: The MEC in Gunner 14.3 MEC makes a difference. MEC, or microemulsion concentrate, formulations are made with extremely small particles resulting in mixing ease and greater product stability. Once mixed in the sprayer, Gunner 14.3 MEC won’t separate and settle meaning you won’t have to mix again and again. Our MEC formulation is also tank-mix compatible with many other fungicides making it easy to customize your best-fit fungus control solution.
- PREDICTABLE CONTROL EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER ISN’T: When unpredictable weather strikes, Gunner 14.3 MEC delivers control you can count on. Once sprays have dried, it is resistant to washing away with rain or irrigation – keeping your foliar treatment right where you need it, on the foliage. When treating for soil-borne fungus, we suggest watering in after application. Refer to the product label for complete application directions.
- CONTROL YOU SEE, NOT SMELL: Some fungus control products leave unwanted scents behind. Gunner 14.3 MEC mixes into a low-odor solution so results are all you’ll notice after application.
- FAST-ACTING AND LONG-LASTING: Gunner 14.3 MEC enters the plant quickly via root uptake or stem absorption to deliver fast fungus protection that lasts up to 28 days. Find application instructions and intervals per target fungus in the product label.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Fungicide for a Healthy Lawn
A lush, green lawn is something every homeowner wants. Sometimes, ugly spots or patches appear. These are often caused by lawn fungus. A good lawn fungicide can stop these problems and keep your grass healthy. This guide helps you pick the right one.
Key Features to Look For
When buying a lawn fungicide, look for these important features:
1. Broad-Spectrum vs. Targeted Action
- Broad-Spectrum: These fungicides fight many types of fungus. They are good if you are unsure exactly what is attacking your lawn.
- Targeted Action: These work best against one or two specific diseases, like Dollar Spot or Brown Patch. These can sometimes be stronger for that one problem.
2. Systemic vs. Contact Action
- Systemic Fungicides: The plant soaks these up through the roots or leaves. They move inside the plant to fight the fungus from within. They offer longer protection.
- Contact Fungicides: These sit on the surface of the grass blades. They kill fungus they touch. They work fast but wear off quicker, especially after rain.
3. Longevity of Protection
Check how long the product protects your lawn. Some need reapplying every two weeks. Others last for a whole month or more. Longer protection means less work for you.
Important Materials (Active Ingredients)
The “active ingredient” is what actually kills the fungus. Different ingredients work in different ways. Always read the label to see what the main chemical is.
- Chlorothalonil: This is a common contact fungicide. It works well for quick surface protection against several diseases.
- Propiconazole or Azoxystrobin: These are often found in systemic products. They move through the grass for deep, lasting protection.
- Sulfur or Copper-Based Products: These are often used in organic gardening. They work well against some mild issues but might need more frequent application.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the fungicide and how well it works depend on a few things:
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Rainfastness: A high-quality product sticks to the grass well. It won’t wash away easily when it rains or when you water the lawn.
- Ease of Application: Products that mix easily with water or come in simple spray bottles are easier to use correctly.
- Low Phytotoxicity: Good fungicides kill the fungus without harming your grass. Poor quality products can sometimes turn the grass yellow or brown.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Fungicide Resistance: If you use the exact same chemical over and over, the fungus can learn to ignore it. Quality products often suggest rotating different types of active ingredients.
- Improper Timing: Applying the fungicide at the wrong time of year or when the disease is already very advanced reduces its effectiveness greatly.
User Experience and Use Cases
How people use these products changes what they should buy.
For Prevention:
If you have had fungus problems every summer before, you should choose a systemic fungicide with a long protection window. You apply this early, before you see any spots. This keeps the lawn safe all season long.
For Curing Active Infections:
If you see ugly brown circles appearing now, you need something fast. A contact fungicide works quickly to stop the spread right away. You might follow up with a systemic treatment later for long-term help.
Ease of Use:
Homeowners who do not like mixing chemicals often prefer ready-to-use hose-end sprayers. Professional landscapers might choose concentrated liquids that they mix in large tanks.
Fungicide for Lawn: 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most common reason my lawn has brown spots?
A: Brown spots are usually caused by lawn fungus, often due to too much moisture, high heat, or poor air circulation around the grass blades.
Q: When should I apply lawn fungicide?
A: You should apply it either preventatively (before the fungus appears, based on weather patterns) or immediately when you first spot small patches of disease.
Q: Are lawn fungicides safe for pets and kids?
A: Most fungicides are safe once they dry completely. Always read the label for the “re-entry interval” (REI). This tells you how long you must wait before letting pets or children walk on the treated grass.
Q: How long does it take for a fungicide to start working?
A: Contact fungicides work almost instantly on the surface. Systemic fungicides take longer, maybe a few days, as the grass needs time to absorb the chemical.
Q: Do I need to water my lawn after applying fungicide?
A: Yes, for most systemic types, a light watering helps move the product down to the roots. For contact types, check the label; some require you to wait before watering so the product can dry on the leaf.
Q: Can I use the same fungicide every year?
A: No, experts strongly suggest rotating between fungicides with different active ingredients to prevent the fungus from becoming resistant to the treatment.
Q: What is the best way to apply liquid fungicide?
A: Use a lawn sprayer. You must ensure even coverage across the entire area. Missing spots means the disease can survive there and spread back later.
Q: Does fertilizer help control lawn fungus?
A: Proper fertilization helps keep grass strong, making it more naturally resistant to disease. However, over-fertilizing, especially with too much nitrogen, can actually make fungus problems worse.
Q: Are there organic options available?
A: Yes, you can find organic options using ingredients like sulfur, copper, or beneficial microbes. These often require more frequent application than synthetic products.
Q: What should I do if the fungus comes back after treatment?
A: First, confirm you used the correct amount and applied it at the right time. If it returns, switch to a fungicide with a different active ingredient to fight the surviving fungus.