Choosing the right weed killer for your lawn can help control dandelions, clover, crabgrass, and other unwanted plants without harming your grass. This guide highlights five solid options, detailing how each product targets common weeds, the application approach, and suitable lawn types. Use the buying guide to compare features like speed of action, safety for pets and children, and whether the product also feeds or protects your turf.
| Product | Lawn Type / Coverage | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Spray | Works on Bermudagrass, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Zoysiagrass | Fast-acting, kills dandelion and more with one application |
| Ortho GroundClear Weed and Grass Killer with Comfort Wand | Patios, walkways, landscapes (not for lawns) | High versatility; rapid action on contact |
| Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer For Lawns With Comfort Wand | Multiple lawn grasses; large- to small-scale lawns | Kills 250+ weeds, root-level control |
| Roundup Weed and Grass Killer 4 with Pump ‘N Go | Use around flower beds, trees, and other areas | Kills weeds to the root; fast rainproof performance |
| Spectracide Weed Stop For Lawns Plus Crabgrass Killer | Lawns and surrounding areas | Kills 470+ weed types; visible results in hours |
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Spray
The Ortho WeedClear Ready-To-Spray targets common lawn weeds including dandelion, chickweed, clover, crabgrass, and foxtail. It delivers fast-acting control with one application and is designed for use on a variety of lawn grasses such as Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass. The product aims to kill weeds down to the root while maintaining lawn health when used as directed, offering broadcast treatment without harming established grasses.
Ortho GroundClear Weed and Grass Killer with Comfort Wand
Ortho GroundClear is a fast-acting spray designed for outdoor use around walkways, driveways, and landscape beds. It works on contact and becomes rainproof after drying, with results often visible within 15 minutes. Because it is not intended for use on lawns or grassy areas you want to keep, it’s best for spot control in hardscape zones, under trees, and similar locations where weeds invade non-turf spaces. The Comfort Wand helps deliver precise, even coverage.
Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer For Lawns With Comfort Wand
This Ortho WeedClear formulation is designed to kill over 250 listed weeds, including dandelion and clover, down to the root while preserving lawn health when used as directed. It is a fast-acting option for lawns, with the ability to tackle weeds such as chickweed and creeping Charlie. The product supports spot treatments and is suitable for a wide range of turfgrass types, including St. Augustinegrass (excluding Floratam), Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, Zoysiagrass, Buffalograss, and various fescues and bluegrass varieties. It emphasizes targeted weed control with minimal lawn impact when applied properly.
Roundup Weed and Grass Killer 4 with Pump ‘N Go
Roundup Weed and Grass Killer 4 with Pump ‘N Go is a versatile option for weed control around flower beds, trees, and various landscape features. It claims to kill weeds and grasses to the root, including dandelion, crabgrass, and clover, with a rainproof performance in about 30 minutes and visible results within hours. The product notes that you can plant again after a waiting period, varying by plant type, which is outlined in accompanying guidance. This makes it a pragmatic choice for broader garden areas beyond the lawn.
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 combines weed control with lawn fertilizer to help thicken your turf and crowd out future weeds. It claims to target over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, and various broadleaf weeds. This product is intended for use on actively growing turf within specific temperature ranges, and it suggests not applying more than twice per year. By combining nutrition with weed control, it supports healthier grass while reducing weed pressure over time.
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate
Ortho WeedClear Concentrate is designed to kill crabgrass, dandelion, clover, and other listed weeds in your lawn. It targets weeds down to the root with a fast-acting formula, and is suitable for use on several lawn grasses including Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass. Concentrates allow buyers to mix the product with water to reach the desired application strength for their lawn size and weed pressure, offering flexibility and potential cost savings for larger lawns.
Spectracide Weed Stop For Lawns Plus Crabgrass Killer
Spectracide Weed Stop For Lawns Plus Crabgrass Killer is a ready-to-use formula that targets more than 470 weed types, including dandelion, chickweed, clover, crabgrass, and yellow nutsedge. The product emphasizes visible results within hours and is designed to kill weeds without harming most lawn grasses when used as directed. It’s positioned for homeowners who want quick, broad-spectrum weed control with minimal mixing or setup.
Roundup Dual Action 365 Weed & Grass Killer Plus 12 Month Preventer
Roundup Dual Action 365 combines weed and grass killing with a 12-month preventive barrier. It targets many tough weeds and grasses for a full year, including clover, dandelion, large and smooth crabgrass, and poison ivy. The product is rainproof quickly and promises visible results within hours. It is designed to provide long-term suppression of weed regrowth while maintaining garden ecosystem balance when used as directed.
Buying Guide
- Weed spectrum: Some products kill only broadleaf weeds (like dandelions and clover), while others cover both broadleaf and grassy weeds (such as crabgrass and nutsedge). Choose based on the predominant problem in your lawn.
- Lawn compatibility: Check which grasses are listed as safe targets. Some formulas are not suitable for certain turf types or exclude Floratam St. Augustinegrass. Verify the label for your grass variety before applying.
- Mode of action: Ready-to-spray products offer quick, simple applications, while concentrates require mixing. Concentrates can be cost-effective for large lawns but require accurate mixing and equipment.
- Application timing: Many weed killers work best when weeds are actively growing and temperatures are within a specific range. Lawn-focused products often advise applying during moderate temperatures for optimal uptake.
- Fast results vs long-term control: Some products claim visible results within hours, while others provide longer-term weed suppression or combine weed control with fertilization to promote a healthier lawn.
- Safety and usage: Consider pet and family safety after application, drying times, and whether reentry is allowed immediately or after a certain period. Also review rainproof times to plan for irrigation or rainfall.
- Environmental impact: Choose products with minimal runoff risk and follow label directions to reduce environmental impact in nearby waterways and plantings.