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7 Best Weed Killers that Won’t Kill Grass in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

spraying on weeds

spraying on weeds

If you have a yard, you probably have weeds of some sort. While the exact kinds of weeds can vary, all weeds can potentially crowd out your grass and other carpet plants. Plus, weeds tend to turn brown and die in the summer or winter, which can leave you with a big, brown yard.

If you’re trying to encourage your grass to grow, you need to do something about the weeds. Sadly, though, weed killer that will not kill your grass is hard to come by. It doesn’t do you much good if you clear the weeds only to kill your grass in the process.

We searched high and low for weed killers that will not damage the grass. Below, you’ll find the reviews of our seven favorite weed killers that have the lowest chance of harming your grass.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns
  • Kills most broadleaf plants
  • Wand applicator
  • Rainproof after one hour
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Roundup for Lawns Roundup for Lawns
  • Rainproof after 3 hours
  • Wand applicator
  • Targets most weeds
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Yard Mastery Prodiamine 65 WDG Yard Mastery Prodiamine 65 WDG
  • Safe for all grass types
  • Enough to treat 10,000 square feet
  • Targets a variety of different weeds
  • Espoma Weed Preventer Espoma Weed Preventer
  • Fertilizes grass
  • Discourages weeds from growing
  • Safe for children and pets
  • Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action
  • Prevents most common weeds
  • Easy to apply
  • Lasts for 4 months
  • The 7 Best Weed Killers that Won’t Kill Grass

    1. Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns – Best Overall

    Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns

    Rainproof: After 1 Hour
    Spray Style: Wand

    Out of all the weed killers out there, Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns is easily the best overall weed killer that won’t kill grass. It is specifically designed to kill only broadleaf plants down to the root. Grass does not fall into this category, so it will come through undamaged. However, most weeds will be unable to withstand this weed killer.

    Because it only kills broadleaf weeds, some other weeds may not be affected. With that said, hundreds are targeted by this weed killer, so odds are that the weeds in your yard won’t stand a chance.

    It comes with an easy applicator wand that allows you to spot treat as necessary. While you can spray it over your whole lawn, spot treating is often more efficient and safer. Plus, after an hour of rest, the formula is completely rainproof.

    You do have to wait until spring or fall to apply this weed killer, though, as it requires daytime temperatures of under 90 degrees. Plan accordingly.

    Pros
    • Kills most broadleaf plants
    • Wand applicator
    • Rainproof after one hour
    • Kills weeds to the root
    • Easy to spot-treat with
    Cons
    • Only targets some weeds

    2. Roundup for Lawns – Best Value

    Roundup for Lawns

    Rainproof: After 3 Hours
    Spray Style: Wand

    Just about everyone knows what RoundUp is (for better or for worse). For those on a budget, it doesn’t get much better than Roundup for Lawns. As the name suggests, this Roundup is made for use next to the grass. However, it is only made to be used on northern grass and may not be too kind to southern grasses.

    It starts to kill the weed down to the root as soon as it is applied. After 3 hours, it is completely rainproof and will not wash away. Therefore, we recommend applying it on a day that is clear and rain-free. It kills a range of common weeds, including dandelions and clover.

    This particular product comes with an applicator wand for easy spot treatment. To use it, all you have to do is insert the plug and twist the knob.

    While Roundup isn’t the safest option out there, it is cheaper than other options. Therefore, it is the best week killer that won’t kill the grass for the money.

    Pros
    • Rainproof after 3 hours
    • Wand applicator
    • Targets most weeds
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • Only for use on northern grasses

    3. Yard Mastery Prodiamine 65 WDG – Premium Choice

    Yard Mastery Prodiamine 65 WDG

    Rainproof: Right away
    Spray Style: Wand

    Yard Mastery Prodiamine 65 WDG is a premium weed killer that is typically only used by professionals. However, this bottle is smaller and affordably priced for a DIYer that is looking for professional-quality products. As a concentrate, you do have to add this mixture to water, so a separate sprayer is often recommended. One container of this concentrate treats a lot of area, so don’t let the smaller size fool you.

    In fact, this bottle is enough to treat 10,000 square feet for a year.

    This weed killer targets a number of weeds, including crabgrass. It is safe for all grass types, though. Therefore, it is one of the most effective options on the market that also won’t end up killing your grass.

    To use it, you need to dilute it in water and then spray it across your yard. It is recommended to treat in the spring and fall, as this will kill current weeds and prevent new ones from growing.

    Pros
    • Safe for all grass types
    • Enough to treat 10,000 square feet
    • Targets a variety of different weeds
    • Smaller bottle for DIY use
    Cons
    • Must have a separate sprayer for application

    4. Espoma Weed Preventer

    Espoma Weed Preventer

    Rainproof: Right away
    Spray Style: N/A

    We included Espoma Weed Preventer on this list because it is an extremely safe weed killer and preventer. This formula works as a preventer and a fertilizer—it fertilizes your existing grass and prevents weeds from growing. It may even kill weeds that are already there.

    However, children and pets can safely play on the lawn right after application, which cannot be said for most other weed killers. Therefore, it is a great option when safety is extremely important to you.

    In fact, this formula is completely organic and made primarily from corn gluten meal. While there doesn’t seem to be anything insidious about it, this formula is quite effective at killing and preventing most weeds.

    This preventer cannot be used to spot treat. Instead, you’ll have to spread it across your whole yard and you may end up paying more than you would for other weed killers.

    Pros
    • Fertilizes grass
    • Discourages weeds from growing
    • Safe for children and pets
    • Organic
    Cons
    • Can be a bit more expensive
    • Not useful for spot-treatments

    5. Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action

    Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action

    Rainproof: After 24 hours
    Spray Style: N/A

    Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action both prevents and kills weeds. Plus, it also helps fertilize grass and encourages a thick turf—hence the name. You can use it on existing grass or when you are planting the seed. It works on most common weeds, including clover, ground ivy, chickweed, and henbit. It prevents crabgrass for 4 months, so it is recommended that you reapply it in the fall and spring.

    With that said, this weed killer does not do a good job of killing crabgrass. Instead, it mostly works as prevention. To use this fertilizer, you do need a fertilizer spreader. It does not have a sprayer or anything of that sort included. After you apply it, water after 24 hours for maximum effectiveness. One bag treats 4,000 square feet, which is a bit on the lower side.

    This fertilizer is a great option for those that are looking to prevent weeds.

    Pros
    • Prevents most common weeds
    • Easy to apply
    • Lasts for 4 months
    Cons
    • Doesn’t kill all weeds
    • Requires a fertilizer spreader

    6. Ortho WeedClear

    Ortho WeedClear

    Rainproof: After 1 Hour
    Spray Style: Sprayed with a hose

    Ortho Weedclear kills weeds all the way down to the root. However, it will not harm most types of grasses. You should be able to see visible results within a few hours—that’s how fast it works. It targets hundreds of common weeds using three different ingredients. Some of them work better for some weeds than others. Therefore, this formula includes many different types of weed preventers so that it can work well on most weeds.

    This formula is extremely fast-acting. It begins eliminating weeds instantly and kills them all the way down to the root so that they will not regrow later. The spraying system makes it perfect for spot treatments, though you can also use it for your whole yard.

    That said, it does need cooler temperatures to work effectively and you need to apply it in the spring and fall—not in the summer. In some areas that are particularly hot, this formula may not be very practical.

    Pros
    • Safe for many grass types
    • Treats the entire lawn
    • Kills 200 types of weeds
    Cons
    • Only suitable for some temperatures
    • Can only treat 5,000 square feet

    7. Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns

    Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns

    Rainproof: After 6 Hours
    Spray Style: QuickFlip Sprayer

    Like most weedkillers on this list, Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns is designed specifically to kill weeds without destroying the grass in your yard. It kills more than 200 weeds, which should cover most of the weeds in your yard. Plus, it also controls most broadleaf weeds, like dandelion and clover. In this way, it can destroy weeds without harming your grass.

    It kills weeds all the way to the root, and most people report that you can see the results in under an hour. Compared to other options, this is quite fast.

    However, this weed killer is only waterproof after 6 hours, which is longer than most we’ve reviewed. Therefore, you have to use it on a sunny day where there is no rain in sight. Even a pop-up shower can seriously put a damper on this weed killer.

    Plus, due to the smaller size, this weed killer is more expensive.

    Pros
    • Controls dandelion, chickweed, and other weeds
    • Ready-to-use
    • Kills to the root
    Cons
    • Only waterproof after 6 hours
    • More expensive

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Weed Killers that Won’t Kill Grass

    When you’re purchasing a weed killer for your lawn, there are several factors to consider. It isn’t as simple as pulling the best-advertised bottle off the shelf (or even the bottle we rated as the best). Instead, you’ll need to consider what type of grass you have, the type of weeds you’re after, and your specific goals. Weed killers vary a lot based on these factors.

    What works best for your neighbor may not be the best option for you.

    To help you figure out the best weed killer for your needs, we’ll take a look at all of these factors below.

    Type of Grass

    Not all of the weed killers above are safe for all types of grass. Therefore, you’ll need to figure out what kind of grass you have and choose a herbicide that is safe for that kind of grass. Many work okay on northern grass, for instance, but they may kill southern grass just like they kill the weeds.

    Often, the herbicide will have a list of safe grasses in the description or on the bottle. If your grass is not on this list, we do not recommend using that herbicide for your needs.

    Type of Weeds

    Common Ragweed
    Image Credit: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay

    Not everyone has problems with the same types of weeds. Of course, a lot of this is affected by your location. Different regions have different plants that take root in yards. What weeds you have are probably different from the weeds they have a few states over. Plus, weeds can differ over a few hundred feet as well. The weeds on one side of the hill probably are not the same as the weeds on the other.

    Weed killers can typically kill a variety of weeds. However, this does not mean that they can kill all weeds. You’ll need to consider what weeds you’re looking to kill and find a formula designed for those weeds. Otherwise, the weed killer may not work at all.

    Once again, there is usually a list or at least a description on the bottle of each herbicide. For instance, many of them are designed for broadleaf weeds, which is a whole category of weeds. Others will have a more specific list.

    Longevity

    Some weed killers only work for a month or so. They kill all the weeds currently in your yard effectively, but they do not continue to kill weeds past that. Often, this is the case with spot-treating herbicides. They’re designed to kill the plant they’re sprayed on and then harmlessly dissipate. These weed killers do not prevent more weeds from returning.

    Most herbicides that are designed to be applied to the whole lawn work for 3–6 months. Usually, you’ll have to reapply these formulas in the spring and fall. Most do not work if it is too hot, so using them in the summer is not recommended.

    If you’re looking to kill some weeds in a fence line, you may only need a spot treatment. However, if you’re looking to prevent weeds from returning, you’ll want an option that is longer lasting.

    Types of Weed Killer

    Image Credit: FrankHH, Shutterstock

    There are several types of weed killers out there. You don’t always need to know about the different types to choose an effective option (and not all options are blatant in what type they are). However, it does help to understand the available types so that you can choose the best option for your lawn.

    Pre- or post-emergent

    This category defines when a weed killer is meant to kill the weeds. Some of them are designed to kill the weed after it has emerged from the ground. In other words, it kills the weeds that you can see during its active growing season. However, if the herbicide doesn’t make contact with the plant’s leaves, it does not work.

    Other weed killers are pre-emergent, which means that they target seedlings before they emerge from the ground. These work best before the weed’s growing season and are commonly used in the fall.

    Systemic or topical

    Topical herbicides only kill the areas in which they are applied. Therefore, to kill the whole plant, you have to apply the weed killer to the whole plant. Even if you are very diligent in where you apply the weed killer, this often misses the root. Some weeds may re-grow from the root in this case.

    On the other hand, systemic weed killers destroy the whole plant, including the root.

    Selective or non-selective

    The weed killers on this list are selective. In other words, they only target certain plants. They are completely safe for grass for this reason. However, non-selective weed killers destroy any plant that they come into contact with, which would include your grass and other plants nearby.

    If you want to protect your grass, be sure that you use a selective weed killer.

    Persistent or non-persistent

    Many quality weed killers stay active for some time. This helps prevent future weeds, as the weed killer will destroy any seedlings that take root while it is active.

    However, non-persistent options do not have any long-term effects. They work on the plants they touch when they touch them but beyond this, they will not prevent future weeds from sprouting. Usually, these weed killers are only used when you need to kill very specific plants, as it is not practical to constantly reapply them.

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    Conclusion

    There are surprisingly few weed killers out there that do not also target your grass. Luckily, we were able to find seven options that seem to work for most situations, though it does depend on a few variables.

    Out of all these weed killers, our favorite was the Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns. This weed killer is safe for most types of grass while also destroying most types of weeds. Plus, it is generally pretty easy to apply and becomes rainproof after a short period of time.

    If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you may want to consider Roundup for Lawns. It targets most types of weeds and becomes rainproof after an hour. Plus, it is fairly easy for the average DIYer to use.


    Featured Image Credit: Dean Clarke, Shutterstock

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