Does your once-vibrant lawn suddenly sport ugly brown patches or strange, spreading rings? You look out the window, and your perfect green carpet looks sick. It’s frustrating when lawn fungus strikes, turning your pride and joy into a patchy mess. You know you need a fungicide, but stepping into the garden center can feel like entering a confusing maze.
Choosing the right lawn fungicide is tough. Do you need a preventative spray or a curative treatment? Should you pick a granular product or a liquid concentrate? The sheer number of labels—Systemic, Contact, broad-spectrum—can make your head spin. You worry about applying the wrong one, wasting money, or worse, harming your grass or pets.
This article cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what lawn fungus is, how different fungicides work, and the simple steps to pick the perfect product for your specific problem. Stop guessing and start treating effectively. Keep reading, and we will equip you with the knowledge to reclaim your healthy, beautiful lawn today.
Top Lawn Fungicide 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Azoxystrobin 0.31%
- Golf courses, lawns and landscape areas around residential, institutional, public, commercial and industrial buildings, parks, recreational areas and athletic fields.
- LEAF-TO-ROOT FUNGUS PROTECTION: Artavia 2 SC contains 22.9% azoxystrobin; the same active ingredient as the leading brand. Used by the pros, azoxystrobin moves within the plant to deliver trusted root-to-leaf protection.
- FIGHT MULTIPLE FUNGI WITH ONE WEAPON: Combat more than 20 turf and 30 ornamental plant fungi with one product. Broad-spectrum Artavia 2 SC controls most foliar and soil-borne fungi including troublesome anthracnose, leaf spot, rhizoctonia, spring dead spot, and brown patch. See the label for complete fungi control list.
- TOTAL PLANT DEFENSE: Artavia 2 SC is absorbed by leaves and roots for inside-out protection against foliar and soil-borne fungi. Plus, Artavia moves within the plant to deliver total defense from the root bottom to the leaf tip – including tender new growth.
- EASE THE WORKLOAD WITH EXTENDED APPLICATION WINDOWS: Many target fungi are labeled at application intervals up to 28 days so you can go longer between sprays. Keep fungi – and workloads – at bay with long-lasting Artavia 2 SC. See the label for complete use directions and application intervals.
- APPLY PROTECTION WHERE YOU NEED IT: Approved for use on a variety of plants, Artavia 2 SC delivers powerful fungus control to turfgrass and ornamentals in lawns and landscapes, golf courses, and greenhouse/nurseries. See the label for complete use directions and tolerant plant list.
- 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.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Lawn Fungicides
Is your beautiful green lawn suddenly showing brown spots, powdery white film, or strange rings? You likely have a lawn fungus. Don’t worry! Choosing the right lawn fungicide can save your grass. This guide helps you pick the best product.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for lawn fungicide, check these important features:
- Systemic vs. Contact: Contact fungicides sit on the grass blades and stop fungus when it touches them. Systemic fungicides soak into the plant and kill the fungus from inside. Systemic products often last longer.
- Broad Spectrum vs. Specific: Broad-spectrum fungicides treat many types of lawn diseases. Specific fungicides target only one or two types. If you know exactly what disease you have (like Dollar Spot), a specific one might be strong. If you are unsure, choose broad-spectrum.
- Duration of Protection: How long does the product keep working? Some last a few weeks, while others offer protection for several months. Longer protection means fewer trips to the store and less work for you.
- Application Method: Do you need to mix it with water (liquid concentrate) or can you spread it dry (granular)? Liquid often works faster but requires careful mixing. Granular spreads easily with a standard fertilizer spreader.
Important Materials (Active Ingredients)
The active ingredient is what actually fights the fungus. Different chemicals work in different ways. Always check the label for these common materials:
- Azoxystrobin: This is a very popular systemic ingredient. It stops the fungus from making energy. It works well against many common lawn diseases.
- Propiconazole: Another strong systemic chemical. It is often used for serious infections like Rust or Brown Patch.
- Myclobutanil: This ingredient offers excellent control over powdery mildew and other surface molds.
Tip: Rotating ingredients is smart. If you use the same chemical repeatedly, the fungus can become resistant to it. Use a product with Azoxystrobin one season, and one with Propiconazole the next.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one fungicide better than another?
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Rainfastness: A high-quality fungicide dries quickly and resists washing off when it rains. Look for products labeled as “rainfast within 2 hours.”
- Ease of Measuring: Concentrates that come with a built-in measuring cup are much better than those requiring separate tools.
- Safety Profile: Newer formulations often have lower toxicity ratings for pets and people once dry.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Poor Mixing: If a liquid concentrate does not mix evenly with water, you will get patches of strong chemical and weak spots where the fungus can still grow.
- Low Concentration: Cheap products sometimes have very low amounts of the active ingredient. These products often fail to clear up a serious infection.
- Old or Expired Stock: Always check the manufacturing date. Fungicides lose effectiveness over time, especially if stored in extreme heat or cold.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the product affects your success. Most fungicides require careful timing.
Preventative Use:
If you have had fungus problems every summer (like Brown Patch), you should use a fungicide *before* the disease appears. This is called preventative treatment. Systemic products work best for this. Apply them according to the schedule listed on the label, usually every 4-6 weeks during high-risk weather (hot and humid).
Curative Use:
If you already see spots, you need a curative treatment. Curative treatments must be applied immediately and often require a higher dose or more frequent application to stop the spread. For quick results, liquid sprays are often preferred because they cover the leaves immediately.
User Tip: Always read the safety directions! Wear gloves and long sleeves when applying. Water the lawn thoroughly after applying granular products so the granules dissolve and move the chemical down to the grass roots.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Fungicides
Q: What is the main difference between a fungicide and fertilizer?
A: Fertilizer feeds your grass to make it green and strong. Fungicide kills or stops the growth of harmful fungi causing disease.
Q: How quickly does lawn fungicide work?
A: Contact fungicides work almost immediately on the surface. Systemic fungicides may take 24 to 72 hours to be fully absorbed and start killing the fungus inside the plant.
Q: Can I use lawn fungicide when my dog is outside?
A: No. You must keep all pets and people off the lawn until the product has completely dried. This usually takes a few hours, but always check the label for specific re-entry times.
Q: Do I need to mow my lawn before applying the fungicide?
A: It is best to mow the day before treatment. Do not mow immediately after applying, as this can damage the treated blades or remove surface product.
Q: Why are some fungicides so expensive?
A: Higher-priced products often contain newer, patented active ingredients that offer longer control or better rain resistance.
Q: Is it better to use a granular or liquid form?
A: Liquid is often better for treating an active outbreak quickly. Granular is often easier for long-term preventative treatments spread across a large yard.
Q: How do I know if the fungicide is washing off?
A: If heavy rain falls within the time listed as “rainfast” on the label (often 1-4 hours), the product might wash away, and you should reapply.
Q: Can I mix fungicide with weed killer?
A: Only mix chemicals if the product label specifically says they are compatible. Otherwise, treat the fungus and the weeds separately to ensure both products work correctly.
Q: What temperature is best for applying fungicide?
A: Most fungicides work best when temperatures are mild, usually between 60°F and 85°F. Very high heat can sometimes reduce the effectiveness of certain chemicals.
Q: How often should I apply a preventative fungicide?
A: This depends heavily on the product. Generally, preventative treatments are applied every 4 to 6 weeks during the peak growing season when conditions favor fungus growth.