Tired of mowing down dandelions, chasing relentless crabgrass, or pulling other weeds in your lawn endlessly?
Invasive weeds on your lawn are not only unsightly, but making both you and your neighbors cringe on sight. But these unwelcome visitors can also actively crowd out and damage your grass.
We’re making it easy for you to find the best weed killer for lawns. Keep reading for our top product picks and a buyer’s guide to help you choose from the list!
Our Top Picks
Best Broadleaf Spray:
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer
Best Fertilizer + Weed Killer:
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed 3
Best Crabgrass Preventer:
Scotts WeedEx Prevent with Halts
Budget Broadleaf Spray:
Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER
Best Broadleaf Spray
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer
The best weed killer for lawns in an easy-to-use spray form is Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer. This low-cost weed killer comes in a liquid concentrate form for mixing in a sprayer or in a ready-to-use spray bottle (just attach your hose).
WeedClear won’t kill your grass when you use it as directed. It will, however, clear your lawn of chickweed, crabgrass, clover, dandelions, and other common weeds. And its liquid spray format tends to be quicker and easier to use than granular herbicides.
The active ingredients in this weed killer are 2, 4-D, and dimethylamine salt.
Pros
- Kills active weeds
- Easy to use liquid spray format
- Budget pick under $15
Cons
- May take up to two weeks to kill weeds after first application
- Not safe for children and animals – keep kids, pets, and wildlife away from treated areas for an extended period of time
Best Fertilizer + Weed Killer
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed 3
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed 3 is a multipurpose selective weed killer that’s safe for grass lawns and actively nourishes them. It’s formulated to target and kill dandelions, clover, and other common weeds using the chemicals Mecoprop-p and 2, 4-D.
This is the best weed killer for lawns overall for its effectiveness, versatility, and value.
Pros
- Kills active weeds
- Especially effective for dandelions and clover
- Fertilizes grass to green and thicken your lawn while crowding out invasive weed roots
Cons
- Not effective against crabgrass
- Not safe for children and animals – keep kids, pets, and wildlife away from treated areas for an extended period of time
Best for Killing Crabgrass
Scotts WeedEx Prevent with Halts – Crabgrass Preventer
The best weed killer for lawns with crabgrass is this pre-emergent formula by Scotts. Spread this pendimethalin-based granular herbicide on your lawn in early spring to prevent grassy weeds before they start growing.
Pros
- Best for preventing crabgrass
Cons
- Does not kill active weeds
- Not safe for children and animals – keep kids, pets, and wildlife away from treated areas for an extended period of time
Budget Broadleaf Spray
Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER
The best budget weed killer for lawns with major broadleaf weed problems is Southern Ag Amine’s 2,4-D Weed Killer. This is a highly concentrated liquid solution of 2, 4-D, which you’ll need to dilute in a sprayer before using.
When you compare this to our top pick, you’ll notice two things. First, this weed killer only contains one active ingredient (2,4-D) wheras the Ortho WeedClear is a cocktail of three active ingredients (2,4-D, Quinclorac, and Dicamba) targeted at a broader set of weeds . Second, the concentration of 2,4-D in this Southern Ag weed killer is 46.3% whereas it’s only 6.4% in the Ortho WeedClear; this means you get 7x as much 2,4-D for only about twice the price.
If 2,4-D alone will kill the weeds you’re targeting, this is a great pick as the best weed killer for your lawn.
Pros
- Kills active weeds
- Especially effective for broadleaf weeds
Cons
- Requires mixing/prep
- Not safe for children and animals – keep kids, pets, and wildlife away from treated areas for an extended period of time
Best Organic Weed Preventer
Espoma Organic Weed Preventer CGP25
Espoma Organic Weed Preventer is our pick for the best organic lawn-safe weed preventer. This corn gluten meal-based product is a granular herbicide that prevents the re-emergence of many common weeds and is safe for use in organic gardens.
This weed preventer has natural ingredients that won’t contaminate soil or groundwater. And it’s non-toxic and safe for children, pets, wildlife, and the environment, making it the perfect budget choice if you want the best weed killer for lawns.
Pros
- Prevents re-emergence of common weeds
- Safe for use near edible plants and suitable for organic gardens
- The safest option for humans, animals, and the environment
Cons
- It does not kill active weeds
- Strong corn smell might attract animals or insects until product is fully dissolved into soil
Best Pre-emergent + Fertilizer + Weed Killer
Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action – Weed Killer & Preventer
Are you looking for a product that will kill active weeds in your lawn and prevent them from returning next season? Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action is the best weed killer for lawns for those with post-emergent and pre-emergent needs!
This product kills dandelions, clovers, and other common weeds. And it also prevents crabgrass, one of the most difficult weeds to keep from re-emerging in lawns. Its active ingredients are 2, 4-D and Mecoprop-p.
Pros
- Kills active weeds
- It also works preventatively to prevent weed re-emergence
- Thickens and greens turf lawns with added fertilizer
Cons
- Pricier option
- Not safe for children and animals – keep kids, pets, and wildlife away from treated areas for an extended period of time
Buyer’s Guide to the Best Weed Killer for Lawns
Keep reading to learn more about the best weed killer for lawns and how to make the most out of your selected products.
Types of Best Weed Killers for Lawns
Not all weed killers for lawns are made with the same ingredients or work similarly. To help you decide the most effective at home, read on to learn about the different types.
Selective Weed Killers for Lawns
The best weed killer for lawns should be a selective formula that targets invasive species without destroying the grass.
After treating your lawn with any weed killer – even a selective one – your grass may temporarily brown and whither. But once the herbicide has taken effect, you should be able to bring the grass back. Give the lawn a good watering, and it should spring back to life (minus the weeds).
Weed killers labeled Nonselective should not be applied to lawns. These will kill grasses and just about any plant life they touch.
Pre-emergent vs Post-emergent Weed Killers
A weed killer labeled Preemergent will prevent new weeds from taking root in the soil. This type of product will not kill active weeds in your lawn. But using a preemergent weed killer as directed will reduce the number of weeds you see returning in the next growing season.
Postemergent weed killers are the ones you want if you’re battling live, green, and flowering weeds. These products will cause targeted weeds to wilt, wither, brown, and eventually die.
Different Types of Grass Lawns
The best weed killer for lawns is formulated to preserve and nourish grasses while killing other plants growing in the same soil.
But different grass varieties differ in the way they interact with certain herbicides. Check the label on your weed killer and ensure it’s safe for the grass you’re cultivating in your lawn.
Active Ingredients in the Best Weed Killer for Lawns
Read on for some facts about the active ingredients in lawn-safe weed killers and precautions for using them at home.
2, 4-D
The synthetic chemical compound known as 2, 4-D is an auxin-type herbicide. It kills weeds by disrupting proper cell function in the plant.
The EPA categorizes 2, 4-D as moderately toxic to birds and mammals and slightly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.
In addition to recommending using Personal Protective Equipment when using 2, 4-D, the CDC also warns not to walk barefoot or allow children or pets access to lawns treated with this chemical.
Dimethylamine Salt
Dimethylamine salt is a chemical compound similar to 2, 4-D. It works to kill weeds in the same way. They basically cause a plant’s cells to malfunction, ultimately killing it down to the root.
Exposure to dimethylamine salt, a possible carcinogen, is extremely hazardous for humans and animals.
Restrict access to lawns treated with this chemical so that children, pets, and wildlife don’t come into contact with it. Dimethylamine salt can also potentially contaminate groundwater.
Mecoprop-p
Mecoprop-p, or MCPP, is a phenoxy herbicide closely related to 2, 4-D. It forces a plant to grow upwards at a rate the root system can’t sustain. It kills weeds permanently within about a week.
Use extreme caution when handling substances with even low concentrations of MCPP. It’s a corrosive material and known irritant that should not contact any part of your body.
MCPP is also known to cause long-lasting hazardous effects on groundwater and aquatic ecosystems. Do not use products containing mecoprop-p anywhere near a well, water source, or edible plants.
Pendimethalin
A common ingredient in selective preemergent weed killers is pendimethalin. This dinitroaniline herbicide prevents proper cellular growth in targeted weeds, causing them to die.
Pendimethalin is slightly toxic to humans, mammals, and birds, but highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Corn Gluten Meal
Treat your lawn with corn gluten-based weed killer products preventatively and you can reduce and weaken weeds season over season. Proteins in corn gluten can stop germinated seeds from rooting in the soil.
These are the safest weed preventers for lawns, especially where children, pets, and wildlife have access to treated grasses. Use them without worrying about hazardous chemical exposure risks for your family or endangering local wildlife and honeybees.
Since corn is a common ingredient in dog food products, dogs may be attracted to the smell. Always store weed killer out of reach of animals, and limit pets’ access to treated lawns until the product has fully dissolved.
How to Use the Best Weed Killer for Lawns
Keep reading for basic guidance on using the best weed killer for lawns safely and efficiently.
Use the Best Weed Killer for Lawns Safely
Always use the appropriate PPE when you’re handling weed killers. This goes for synthetic chemical products and organic ones made with natural ingredients!
Wear gloves to protect your hands. Remove contaminated gloves promptly after working and wash your hands before touching skin, eyes, and clothing.
Protective eyewear is a must, as well. And wearing a face mask, face shield, or respirator will protect your mouth, nose, throat, and lungs from accidental inhalation of airborne chemicals kicked up in the wind.
How to Apply the Best Weed Killer for Lawns
To apply granular herbicides evenly, you need either a hand crank spreader or a broadcast spreader.
Liquid weed killers should be used with a weed sprayer that’s been properly assembled and tested with water first.
Follow product label instructions carefully – not just for personal safety but also for your lawn’s safety. Mix chemical solutions in the correct concentrations to achieve desired results.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to spot-test your selected weed killer before broadcasting your entire lawn. Even if you’re confident that your grass variety is compatible with your chosen product, start by testing a small area first.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Weed Killer for Lawns
Here are some answers to questions you might still have about the best weed killer for lawns.
What kills weeds permanently but not grass?
The best weed killer for lawns will be a selective formula that kills invasive weeds without permanently damaging grass.
But not all grass lawns can be treated the same! Identify the type of grass you’re growing at home before selecting a weed killer to use on it. Check the product label to ensure it’s safe for your grass variety.
When should I apply weed killer to my lawn?
Your grass should be wet before you apply weed killer to your lawn. Apply your chosen herbicide after a light rain, or sprinkle your lawn with a hose to dampen the weed leaves so the product will stick to them.
Preemergent weed preventers should be applied in early spring, around the time of your last frost.
For safety, never spray weed killer on a windy day, even if you’re wearing PPE.
Time to Pick the Best Weed Killer for Lawns!
Which of the weed killers above is the best one for your lawn? Consider our notes in the buyer’s guide to determine which product is right for you!
Your next stop? Our common weeds homepage, where you can learn even more about invasive weeds and what to do with them.
- About the Author
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Ashley Lystne is a writer for Minneopa Orchards, a fiction author, and creator of interactive novel choice games. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and an MFA in Creative Writing. Ashley tried out living in just about every major city in America before settling down in Washington state, where she currently resides.
A lifelong vegetarian passionate about growing her own food, Ashley also has a local side hustle cultivating and selling ornamental house plants. She loves contributing to Minneopa Orchards, where she can share her passion for all things plants and gardening.