10 Best Weed Killers for Flower Beds in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

No one wants to waste a sunny Saturday afternoon reading reviews to find the best weed killer for their flower bed. Purchasing a weed killer and slaying weeds would be a far more effective use of the day!

However, there are a lot of different products on the market, and figuring out which one is right for you can be tough. We’ve done the research and written 10 reviews of our favorites to help you choose the right one.

After the reviews, there is a small buying guide to help clarify some of the differences you can expect in weed killers.

A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

The 10 Best Weed Killers for Flower Beds

1. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer – Best Overall

If your flower bed has some problem areas where you have undesirable grass or weeds growing, this weed and grass killer from Spectracide is our pick for the best overall weed killer. Even if you spray it right before it rains, you’ll still see it working within 3 hours, and the results typically last for up to 5 months. One jug mixes around 10 gallons of water. So, this weed killer will go a long way.

The main downside to this weed killer’s effectiveness is that it kills almost everything! So, when spraying it, care must be taken if you have plants or flowers that you aren’t trying to kill.

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2. Roundup Weed & Grass Killer – Best Value

If you’re looking to save a few bucks but still get a quality product that does the job, this Roundup product is the best weed killer for the money. It will start to work within 9 hours and kills any grass or weeds down to their roots so they won’t regrow.

However, it won’t prevent other weeds from regrowing in the area. So, this one will require multiple treatments if there are problem weeds that keep spreading. Also, you don’t want to use it if you’ve planted anything you plan to eat.

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3. Hi-Yield Weed & Grass Killer – Premium Choice

If you’ve got a lot of space to cover, this killer from Hi-Yield is a great choice. The concentrate will mix in enough water to cover over 25,000 square feet. The manufacturer warns that this product is not for use on your lawn because it will kill everything—not just the thistles or dandelions.

Overall, this is an excellent choice if you have a large space you’re attempting to treat. It’s a little more money upfront for the bigger jug of product, but it will go a long way since it is a super-concentrated formula.

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4. Monterey Thistledown Weed Killer

This weed killer from Monterey is a great option if you have a thistle problem. It’s not recommended that you use this weed killer near fruit or vegetables, though, as they may be susceptible to it. For the most part, it will only target thistles and broadleaf weeds, but that’s not a guarantee. However, it’s safe for grass, so this killer will do the trick if your lawn is overrun with dandelions.

If you’re looking for a way to clear an area of thistles before planting a flower bed, this is a great option. Sometimes it can take a while to work, but once it does, the thistle is dead as can be and won’t come back. Keep in mind that this product won’t prevent future weeds; it only kills existing ones.

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5. Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer

Another Roundup product that makes the list is this super-concentrated formula. If you’re looking for a liquid concentrate that will go a long way, this one’s worth checking out. It’s easy to mix and will be rain or watering proof within a half hour. Plus, you can expect to see weeds dying within a couple of days.

Other than its expensive price tag, this weed and grass killer is only for spot treatment unless you plan to replace the entire lawn because it will kill the grass. So, it won’t be ideal for every situation.

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6. Gordon’s SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer

Your lawn should be lush and green, not dotted with yellow dandelions or other pesky weeds. This lawn weed killer is specifically formulated for use on your lawn. It will kill the weeds quickly without damaging the grass. Keep in mind that there are a few types of grass listed that it’s not safe for, so be aware of that before purchasing.

If you live in a hot climate, you’ll want to apply this one in the early morning or late evening because hot weather encourages the killer to burn and harm grass it would otherwise be fine on. Also, certain states restrict the sale of this particular product, so check that it’s available for delivery where you live before ordering.

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7. Roundup Pro Weed Killer Concentrate

This massive jug of weed and grass killer is formulated to kill everything it touches. So, it’s great if you need to prepare a field for planting or redoing multiple lawns. This is a great buy for the person who has a small to medium-sized landscaping business.

However, for the average homeowner, this product is going to be expensive. Also, unless you’re very experienced or have some tools to help, it’s an awkward jug to mix safely without wasting any of the chemicals.

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8. Green Gobbler Weed & Grass Killer

If you’re looking for a natural option, this weed and grass killer from Green Gobbler is a good option. Once dried, it’s safe for humans and pets, according to the manufacturer. Its ideal use is as a spot treatment because it kills everything it touches, so make sure you’re using it on a calm day to prevent overspray.

Another thing worth mentioning is that it can be quite harmful to things that are sensitive to its acidity. For example, if you spill some on the garage floor, it’s possible that it will eat through the concrete’s coating.

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9. BioAdvanced Weed & Feed

If you live in the south and you’re looking for a product that does more than one job, this 3-in-1 weed and feed by BioAdvanced is worth checking out. Not only does it kill weeds and prevent new growth for up to 6 months, but it’s also a fertilizer to keep your lawn healthy.

Because of its formula, it’s only suitable for the types of grass that grow in warm climates. It will not work as advertised on northern lawns. Another thing to consider is that it’s not immediately safe for pets and children after application. It has to be water and allowed to dry before it’s safe to walk on.

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10. Pet-Safe Weed Killer

Pet-Safe weed killer is a reasonable option if you’ve got some furry family members around. According to the manufacturer, there are no harmful chemicals in the formula, so animals and humans are safe. Even being a natural option, it’s designed to kill everything—that can be good or bad. Ensure you’re applying it on a calm day, so it only goes on what you want to kill.

Like any non-chemical option, there are complaints that it doesn’t work as well as some other weed killers. But that’s a small price to pay if you’d prefer not to use chemicals. Also, because of its high acidity, it can damage anything susceptible to acid damage.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Weed Killers for Flower Beds

If you’re still undecided because you’re not sure what the different things on the various labels mean, you’re not alone. Below we’ve listed some common terms you’ll find on a weed killer’s packaging to help you decide which one is right for you.

Types of Weed & Grass Killers

Contact

A contact weed killer does exactly as the name suggests. Rather than the weed’s system circulating the poison, the chemical kills whatever part of the plant it touches.

Selective 

A selective weed killer typically targets specific weeds or grasses. For example, the Monterey Thistledown product above specifically attacks thistles and some broadleaf weeds.

Non-Selective 

A standard grass and weed killer would be considered non-selective. Whatever you spray this weed killer on dies—weed, grass, vegetable, flower—it doesn’t matter.

Residual

A residual weed killer, also known as a pre-emergent formula, will stay in the area that you spray. This prevents future growth from new weeds after it has killed the original weed

Systemic

Unlike a contact weed killer, a systemic doesn’t kill the part of the plant it touches. Instead, it travels throughout the weed’s circulatory system and typically kills it at the root, which destroys the entire weed.

Choosing the Right Weed Killer

When it comes to making sure you’re getting the right weed killer, you need to figure out what you’re trying to kill. Are you trying to kill specific weeds, or are you trying to kill everything in the area, including grass? Do you want something that will prevent new weeds from growing? These are some of the questions you’ll need to ask yourself.

Applying the Weed Killer

Liquid concentrates are one of the most common weed killers for homeowner use. In some cases, you apply a liquid killer directly to the plant. But most times, you’ll dilute it with a specific amount of water and put it in a sprayer. There are several sprayers available. This multi-purpose garden sprayer is an excellent option for easy mixing and application.

Conclusion

The Spectracide weed and grass killer is the best overall pick if you’re looking for something that’s a reasonable price, and it will kill everything at the root and prevent future weed growth for up to 5 months.

On the other hand, if you want to save some money and aren’t so worried about preventing future growth, the Roundup concentrate is a good option.

We hope these reviews have helped make sense of the many weed killers available for your flower bed.

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Featured Image Credit: Virrage Images, Shutterstock