Even the most cared-for lawns aren’t completely immune to weeds, so don’t be too surprised to see one, two, or ten sprouting in your yard. They can be really tough to remove, too, so you need only the best weed killers to get rid of them once and for all.
What weed killer do you need: One that kills everything or that’s safe for your turf? Do you want an organic weed killer? If you don’t know what herbicide to pick, check out this list. We found and reviewed the best weed killers, their pros, and their cons to help homeowners pick the right product for their weed problems.
Our top picks
Top lawn-safe weed killers – Reviews
These selective weed killers are tough on weeds but not on turf. They’ll kill weeds effectively without hurting your grass.
1. Sunday Dandelion Doom Herbicide
Sunday Dandelion Doom Herbicide is a lawn-safe weed killer that targets pesky weeds like clovers, buttercups, thistles, and – as the name suggests – dandelions. It kills these unwanted plants to the root and, in our experience, shows visible results within hours.
This weed killer is formulated with iron HEDTA, which in the right doses harms weeds without hurting turfgrasses. The iron can even benefit your lawn in other ways, as it helps make grass greener and suppresses lawn diseases like dollar spot, rust, and snow mold.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Iron HEDTA
- Package size: (2) 32 oz. packs
- Selective: Yes
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Ready to use and comes with a sprayer ✔ Starts showing results within the day ✔ Safe for grass ✔ Iron helps green up turf and suppresses lawn diseases ✔ Kills the root | ✘ Leaky bottle ✘ Doesn’t work as well in shaded areas |
Where to buy
2. Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer for Northern Lawns
Dandelions, crabgrass, and clover are some of the most common weeds found on lawns across the northern U.S. Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer for Northern Lawns targets all of these and 200+ other kinds of weeds without harming turfgrasses commonly used in the northern half of the country. This product won’t hurt the following grass types:
- Bermudagrass
- Fescue grasses
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Zoysiagrass
- Ryegrasses
Ortho WeedClear is rainproof after 1 hour and will start showing results within the day. Although it’s concentrated, its ready-to-spray trigger and comfort wand variants are great for spot-treating your lawn.
Product details
- Active ingredients: 2,4-D, dimethylamine salt; Quinclorac; and Dicamba, dimethylamine salt
- Package size: 1.3 gal
- Selective: Yes
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Relatively inexpensive
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Ready to use and comes with its own applicator ✔ Kills the root ✔ Starts showing results within hours ✔ Rainproof in 1 hour ✔ Relatively affordable ✔ Safe for grasses commonly found in northern lawns | ✘ Not safe for other types of grasses ✘ Ready-to-spray packaging doesn’t always work well |
Where to buy
3. Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer for Southern Lawns
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer for Southern Lawns is the southern counterpart of the above weed killer product. It targets over 250 types of weeds common in the southern half of the U.S., like dollarweed, dandelion, clover, and chickweed. It’s safe to use on these turfgrasses:
- Bahiagrass
- Bentgrass
- Bermudagrasses
- Buffalograss
- Centipedegrass
- Fescue grasses
- Kentucky bluegrass
- St. Augustinegrass (except for the Floratam variety)
- Zoysiagrass
In terms of how it works, this weed killer is quite similar to its northern counterpart. However, it’s a little more expensive because it targets more weeds and can be used on more turf types.
Product details
- Active ingredients: 2,4-D, 2-ethylhexyl ester; Mecoprop-p acid; Dicamba acid; and Carfentrazone-ethyl
- Package size: 1 gal
- Selective: Yes
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Relatively inexpensive
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Ready to use and comes with its own applicator ✔ Kills the root ✔ Starts showing results within hours ✔ Rainproof in 1 hour ✔ Relatively affordable ✔ Safe for more grass types, including most varieties of St. Augustinegrass | ✘ More expensive than its northern lawn counterpart ✘ Can’t be used on the Floratam variety of St. Augustinegrass ✘ Ready-to-spray packaging doesn’t always work |
Where to buy
4. Bonide Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Weed Killer Concentrate
Are you having trouble with tough-to-control weeds like ground ivy (also known as creeping charlie) and wild violets? Bonide Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Weed Killer Concentrate targets these and over 100 tough weeds — including the three included in its name — and kills them to the root.
Coming in both concentrated and premixed variants, this herbicide shows visible results within the day. Just keep in mind that the concentrated version of this product has to be mixed before use.
This weed killer is safe for most turf species. Use with caution on St. Augustine and centipedegrass, and avoid using it on carpetgrass. Be prepared to overseed if you end up using it on these grasses.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Mcpa; triclopyr; and dicamba
- Package size: 16 fl oz (1 pint)
- Selective: Yes
- Required equipment: Pump sprayer
- Price range: Inexpensive
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Has a ready-to-use variant ✔ Kills the root ✔ Safe for most grasses ✔ Affordable, especially as the concentrated version can cover a larger area when mixed | ✘ Can injure or kill some turfgrasses ✘ In some cases, it took 2-3 applications to fully kill weeds ✘ The concentrated version seems to be less effective |
Where to buy
5. Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D
Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D takes a longer time to start showing results than others on this list, but it’s still a great choice for tough-to-control weeds. Aside from broadleaf weeds, this concentrated weed killer also attacks woody plants and kills them down to the root, all without harming your grass.
You can get a lot of weed killer out of this product; it covers up to 1,000 square feet while only using 2 to 3 tablespoons of concentrate. Make sure to avoid or protect the plants that you want to keep when treating weeds around your ornamentals.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
- Package size: 1 quart
- Selective: Yes
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Kills to the root ✔ Can be used in non-lawn areas ✔ Safe for grass ✔ Covers a large area when mixed properly | ✘ Can kill your grass if applied incorrectly ✘ Takes a while to show results ✘ Damages ornamental plants |
Where to buy
6. Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer for Lawns Concentrate
Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer for Lawns Concentrate is another weed killer that targets tough-to-control weeds and kills them down to their roots. Like many Ortho products, you can buy this spray in a concentrated form, concentrated plus sprayer, and ready-to-spray variants.
This weed killer is safe for many types of grass, including buffalograss, fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, Zoysiagrass, and ryegrasses. However, it will injure or harm Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, centipedegrass, Kikuyugrass, and St. Augustinegrass. You should also avoid using it around edibles and ornamentals.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Triclopyr, triethylamine salt
- Package size: 16 fl oz (1 pint)
- Selective: Yes
- Required equipment: Tank sprayer
- Price range: Inexpensive
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Has a ready-to-spray variant ✔ Kills to the root ✔ Safe for some turfgrasses ✔ Relatively affordable | ✘ Hurts many common warm-season grass types ✘ Ready-to-spray packaging doesn’t always work ✘ Takes a while to show results |
Where to buy
Top non-selective weed killers – Reviews
Unlike the aforementioned weed killers, the following herbicides are non-selective, which means they can harm or kill grass and other desired plants in addition to weeds. These products should be applied carefully and only to the plants you want to kill.
1. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer 2
Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer 2 gets rid of any plants it touches. You can use it anywhere — even around plants that you want to keep; just make sure to protect your desired plants to protect them from the spray.
You’ll start seeing weeds fade in as little as 3 hours. The big draw of this weed killer is that it doesn’t stay in the soil for very long. It’s possible to replant new flowers, trees, and shrubs in the treated areas after a few days.
In case you accidentally spray this on a plant that you don’t want to get rid of, then you can wash it away. However, you should act fast as it becomes rain-resistant after 15 minutes.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Diquat Dibromide; Fluazifop-p-butyl; and Dicamba, dimethylamine salt
- Package size: 32 fl oz, 1 gal
- Selective: No
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Inexpensive
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Becomes rainfast in 15 minutes ✔ Comes with a sprayer and is ready to use ✔ Kills the root ✔ Starts showing results within hours ✔ Affordable ✔ Affected soil can be planted on after a few days ✔ Can be used anywhere | ✘ Kills grass, so it can’t be used for your lawn ✘ The sprayer can be difficult to use |
Where to buy
2. Natria Grass & Weed Control with Root Kill
Natria Grass & Weed Control with Root Kill is a natural weed killer that attacks mosses, weeds, and grasses. Although this product isn’t listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as safe for organic gardening like Natria’s other products, it’s made with less harsh chemicals than traditional weed killers.
Natria Grass & Weed Control with Root Kill can be used to clear undesired plants on driveways, sidewalks, and patios without fear of staining. Don’t use it on your lawn unless you plan to overseed or reseed.
Like the herbicide above, you can replant in the treated areas after 5 days. You can expect to see visible results within the day.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Ammoniated soap of fatty acids; and Maleic hydrazide
- Package size: 24 fl oz, 1 gal, and 1.3 gal
- Selective: No
- Required equipment: Pump sprayer if you use the concentrated version
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Ready to use and comes with a sprayer ✔ Kills the root ✔ Starts showing results within the day ✔ Can be used on flower beds and doesn’t stain bricks, concrete, or asphalt ✔ Made with natural ingredients | ✘ Not safe for grass ✘ The sprayer doesn’t work very well |
Where to buy
3. Ortho GroundClear Year Long Vegetation Killer
If you want to get rid of everything in an area, Ortho GroundClear Year Long Vegetation Killer will kill plants and prevent them from coming back for up to a year. This makes it perfect to use around driveways, parking areas, and sidewalks.
This weed killer starts showing results within an hour as it makes its way through the weed down to its roots. Within this time, the herbicide also becomes rainproof.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Imazapyr, isopropylamine salt; and Pelargonic Acid and related fatty acids
- Package size: 1.33 gal
- Selective: No
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Ready to use and comes with its own applicator ✔ Starts showing results within 1 hour ✔ Prevents weeds from regrowing for up to a year ✔ Rainproof in 1 hour ✔ Kills the root | ✘ Not safe for grass ✘ No plants will grow in affected areas for up to a year ✘ Concentrated version is not as effective |
Where to buy
Top organic weed killers – Reviews
If you’re interested in natural weed killers but don’t want to make your own, these commercial products are totally organic, and they’re the best you can buy.
1. Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer
Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer is a great choice for homeowners that want an organic herbicide that acts fast. This weed killer is OMRI-listed — meaning it’s safe for organic gardening — but shows results in as fast as 15 minutes.
It kills all plants it comes into contact with, so make sure to cover any plants you want to protect prior to applying it. It’s great to use around hardscapes, flower beds, and vegetable gardens as long as you apply it directly to the weed itself.
However, this weed killer (like most organic weed killers) doesn’t kill plants to the roots. You’ll need to dig up the dead weeds — taking as much of the root system as possible — or else they’ll grow back.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Ammonium Nonanoate
- Package size: 1 gal
- Selective: No
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Inexpensive
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Ready to use and comes with its own applicator ✔ Starts showing results within 15 minutes ✔ Affordable ✔ OMRI-listed for organic gardening ✔ Can be used in landscape beds and around edible plants | ✘ Not safe for grass ✘ Dead plants still need to be picked up as it doesn’t kill the roots ✘ Sprayer sometimes fails |
Where to buy
2. Sunday Weed Warrior Herbicide
Powered by herbicidal soap, this non-selective herbicide is another OMRI-listed organic product that gets rid of weeds, grasses, and mosses alike. This weed killer works by stripping away the protective coating found on leaves, causing the treated plants to dry up. You’ll start seeing results in as little as 20 minutes when applied properly.
This weed killer is great to use around driveways, sidewalks, and other places where plants are unwelcome. If you’re going to use this around other plants, then you should protect the desired plants before application.
Unless applied directly to the roots, Sunday Weed Warrior Herbicide doesn’t kill plants to the roots like many traditional herbicides. So, you’ll still need to dig around if you want to prevent weeds from regrowing.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Ammoniated soap of fatty acids
- Package size: (2) 32 oz. packs
- Selective: No
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Ready to use and comes with a sprayer ✔ Starts showing results within the day ✔ OMRI-listed for organic gardening ✔ Doesn’t stain and can be used on asphalt, mulched areas, sidewalk cracks, and more | ✘ Not safe for grass ✘ Doesn’t kill the roots unless you apply it directly to the root ✘ Leaky bottle |
Where to buy
3. Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed Killer
Listed by OMRI as safe for organic gardening, Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed Killer is another herbicide that you can turn to if you want to avoid harsh chemicals.
This weed killer isn’t safe for lawns, but it’s great for getting rid of weeds everywhere else. Made of vinegar, it doesn’t stain bricks, concrete, or asphalt; however, it smells very strong and lingers for a few days.
Unfortunately, this herbicide fails to kill weeds to their roots. You’ll need to pull out the plants — roots and all — to prevent them from regrowing.
Product details
- Active ingredients: Vinegar derived from corn
- Package size: 1 gal
- Selective: No
- Required equipment: None
- Price range: Moderate
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✔ Ready to use and comes with a sprayer ✔ Starts showing results within the day ✔ Can be used on flower beds and doesn’t stain bricks, concrete, or asphalt ✔ OMRI-listed for organic gardening | ✘ Not safe for grass ✘ Doesn’t kill the roots, so you have to pull out the dead weeds ✘ Has a strong odor that can linger for days ✘ Cord on the sprayer is inconveniently short |
Where to buy
Buyers’ guide to weed killers
There are many weed killers available to homeowners, like post-emergent and pre-emergent herbicides. How do you know which ones are worth buying? Here are some factors that might help you figure out which herbicide is right for you and your lawn.
Selective vs. non-selective
Are you looking to kill weeds and grass or just weeds? Because of different formulations, weed killers can differ in what plants they target. For example, selective weed killers that target weeds but not grass are best for those that want to get rid of weeds in their lawns.
Non-selective herbicides are the opposite; they kill most plants they touch, grasses included. This makes them great not only at killing weeds in gravel, driveways, and patios but also at clearing out your lawn in preparation for reseeding. When using a non-selective herbicide, you should cover up any plants you want to keep.
Systemic vs. non-systemic
While many weed killers are systemic – killing weeds down to their roots – not all of them are. Those that are non-systemic typically only damage the parts of the plant that they are sprayed on.
This means that you’ll need to dig up dead weeds and get as much of their roots as possible if you use a non-systemic herbicide. Some weeds can regrow from their roots, so they might end up returning if you’re not thorough.
You’ll still need to remove dead plants if you use a systemic herbicide, but you don’t have to worry about the roots – just the eyesore.
Ingredients
Most weed killers are made with harsh chemicals like glyphosate, a highly controversial chemical that’s been linked to negative health effects. However, there are options out there that are made with natural and organic ingredients.
These natural and organic weed killers typically don’t kill weeds to the root, but they’re safer for pets and children. Some of the ingredients that can be found in these products are vinegar and herbicidal soap.
Ease of use
Do you want a weed killer that you can use right off the bat, or are you fine with mixing your own? Weed killers can come in concentrated and premixed forms. The latter is typically better for spot treatments, but the former can be more economical if you’re treating a large area.
Speed
Weed killers start showing results at different rates. If that matters to you, then you should go with a weed killer that advertises fast results – just make sure the reviews back up those claims. If you aim to replant in the treated areas soon, a fast-acting herbicide might be better for you.
Rain tolerance
Rain and irrigation can wash away herbicides, rendering them useless as they have to sit for a while to do their job. While it’s best to wait for clear skies before applying weed killers, sometimes Mother Nature just likes raining on your parade. Some weed killers can become rainproof in a short amount of time, so it might be better for you to buy one that sets fast if you live in a rainy area.
Here’s a video by The Lawn Care Nut for more tips on choosing a weed killer for your lawn.
FAQ about weed killers
It’s best to apply a post-emergent weed killer in the morning, as that’s when weeds grow the fastest. This means that the herbicide will be absorbed by the plant faster.
In terms of the seasons, you can apply post-emergents from early to late spring and pre-emergents in mid-March and from August to November. It’s best to apply post-emergents while weeds are young and small.
While weed and feed products can work, it’s typically better to separate fertilization and weed control as they have different windows of time when they’re most effective.
Yes, they are. While some may not be as strong as their traditional counterparts because they don’t kill to the root, they’re still quite effective. You just need to exert a bit more effort in removing them to make sure that they won’t come back.
If you’re really worried about harsh chemicals, you can try mulching and other natural weed control methods. However, some of these methods aren’t useful against existing weeds.
See our top picks for the best weed killers for flower beds to learn which products are best for this specific purpose. Flower beds have different needs in a weed killer than lawns, veggie gardens, or other areas of your landscape.
Hire a professional lawn care service to eradicate your weeds
It’s almost inevitable for a homeowner to deal with weeds, no matter how well they keep their lawns. Getting rid of them can be a pain, especially once they’ve grown big, so it’s best to nip them in the bud as soon as possible. A good weed killer can take you part of the way there, but you have to know how to use it properly.
If you’re worried about messing up your perfect yard, consider hiring a professional lawn care company to deal with your weed problems instead. Lawn Love can help you find a local lawn care pro that has the knowledge and expertise to kill weeds so that you don’t have to get your hands dirty.
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