The Best Dandelion Killer That Won’t Kill the Grass – Top 5 Picks
Last updated: 8 March 2024
Yellow dandelion flowers emerge throughout the lawn when spring arrives and may be nice for someone, but most homeowners want to get rid of them. One problem that occurs here is that while killing dandelions you can harm your grass too.
I have made a list of the best dandelion killers that will not harm your grass:
- TZone SE Broadleaf Herbicide;
- Speedzone EW Broadleaf Herbicide for Turf;
- Tenacity Herbicide;
- Drive XLR8 Herbicide;
- Ortho Weed B Gon (RTU – Ready to use).
We hope that this article will help you find the best dandelion killer for your lawn. Let’s start…
According to my research, TZone may be the best dandelion killer on the market. As active ingredients here we have 2,4-D, Dicamba, and Triclopyr plus in addition to these ingredients, TZone contains sulfentrazone for a powerful 4-way weed killer. Sulfentrazone combos provide speedy and effective results in killing weeds and control against many tough broadleaf weeds, including dandelion, clover, nutsedge, and spurge.
Pros and cons
Pros
Works without a different non-ionic surfactant
Kills dandelions and other stubborn broadleaf weeds
Rainfast within 3 hours after application
Cons
Not available in all states
Restricted to licensed applicators
Mix rates and application tips
- Cool-season grasses: Mix 1.2 – 1.5 oz. per gallon of water for around 1,000 sq. ft. coverage.
- Warm-season grasses: Mix 0.73 – 0.83 oz. per gallon of water for around 1,000 sq. ft. coverage.
- Avoid mowing two days before or two days after application.
- You can repeat the application after 20-30 days after the initial application.
Speedzone EW Broadleaf Herbicide for Turf
Speedzone EW broadleaf is a well-known dandelion killer and is on this list with good reason. It is an excellent four-way selective herbicide that works on leaf tissue and roots. In addition to 2,4-D, Mecoprop-p, and Dicamba, Speedzone also contains carfentrazone for quickly visible results on ~100 grassy and broadleaf weeds, making it one of the best dandelion killers. A commonly used all-around broadleaf weed killer for lawns.
Pros and cons
Pros
Results within a few hours of application
Complete weed control in 7 days
Cons
Not safe for all warm-season grasses
Speedzone EW mixing rates
- Mix 1.1 – 1.8 oz. in up to 5 gallons of water.
Tenacity Herbicide
Tenacity Herbicide can be used as a selective post-emergent weed killer and pre-emergent herbicide as well. The main active ingredient here is Mesotrione which kills weeds by inhibiting photosynthesis in the targeted plants by stopping dandelion growth and leaving the plant looking bleached white as they die off.
If you mix Tenacity Herbicide with the above-mentioned Speedzone you will get an extremely effective killer for all the existing weeds like dandelion, clover, and crabgrass that ruin your lawn.
Pros and cons
Pros
Controls over 40 grassy and broadleaf weeds besides dandelions
1/2 teaspoon is enough for a gallon of water
At the time of seeding or overseeding can be used as a pre-emergent
Cons
For best results requires mixing with a non-ionic surfactant (NIS)
Tenacity Herbicide mixing rates
- 1/2 teaspoon per gallon
- 1 1/2 teaspoon of NIS
Drive XLR8 Herbicide
Extremely powerful weed and dandelion killer. XLR8 is another good option for eradicating dandelions because quinclorac, an active ingredient, is probably the best dandelion and broadleaf weed killer.
Combined with TZone (number one on our list) you will get an ultimate herbicide combo for killing a number of weeds including dandelions.
Pros and cons
Pros
It is faster and more effective than a generic quinclorac
Is rainfast within an hour after the application has dried
Cons
Need to be mixed with (MSO) methylated seed oil for best results
Cannot be used on: St. Augustine, Centipede, Bahiagrass, Bentgrass or Dichondra
Drive XLR8 mixing rates
- 1.45 fl oz per gallon of water (per 1,000 sq. ft.)
- Mix 0.55 oz. of MSO for better effectiveness
Ortho Weed B Gon
The Ortho Weed B Gon is a ready-to-use (RTU) dandelion killer and comes with a hose-end sprayer. Just attach a garden hose to the bottle, turn the water on and spray. It is often found at local hardware and big box stores.
Pros and cons
Pros
Big coverage. 32 oz. treats 8,000 to 16,000 total sq. ft.
Proven effectiveness for over 250 weeds
Contains 2,4-D, Dicamba, and MCPP-P
Cons
Dragging the garden hose around can be a problem.