10 Best Weed Killers That Won’t Kill Grass: Safe Selective Herbicides for Lawn

Weeds are one of the most persistent frustrations in lawn care. You spend time and money building a healthy, lush lawn — and then dandelions, crabgrass, clover, or chickweed move in uninvited. The natural instinct is to reach for a weed killer. But here is the problem: many herbicides will destroy your grass right along with the weeds.

The good news is that selective herbicides exist precisely for this situation. These products are formulated to eliminate specific types of weeds while leaving your grass unharmed. Understanding how they work, which ones to use, and when to apply them can make a significant difference in your results.

This guide covers the best weed killers that won’t kill grass, how to choose the right one, and how to use them effectively and safely.

1. Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer

Target Weeds: Broadleaf weeds including dandelions, clover, chickweed, ground ivy, and plantain — over 200 broadleaf species in total.

Safe For: Most cool-season and warm-season grasses including Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, Bermuda grass, Zoysia, and St. Augustine (check label for specific cultivar notes).

Ortho WeedClear is one of the most user-friendly broadleaf herbicide products on the consumer market. It is a ready-to-spray formulation, meaning no mixing or measuring is required. The active ingredients — a combination of 2,4-D, MCPP (mecoprop), and dicamba — work together to disrupt the normal growth processes of broadleaf plants, causing them to curl, yellow, and die within one to two weeks.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: Grass plants metabolize 2,4-D and its companion compounds differently from broadleaf plants. In broadleaf weeds, these synthetic auxin (growth hormone) compounds cause uncontrolled, chaotic cell division that quickly destroys the plant. Grass plants break down these same compounds before they accumulate to damaging levels.

Application Tip: Apply when weeds are actively growing and temperatures are between 60°F and 85°F (15°C to 30°C). Avoid application during drought stress, when recently mowed (wait 24 to 48 hours), or when rain is forecast within 24 hours.

2. Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns

Target Weeds: Over 460 broadleaf weed species, including clover, dandelion, oxalis, wild violet, and spurge.

Safe For: Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, perennial ryegrass, Bermuda grass, Zoysia, Bahia grass, and centipede grass.

Spectracide Weed Stop is known for its exceptionally broad weed control spectrum — 460 species is an unusually high number for a consumer-grade product. It contains a combination of 2,4-D, quinclorac, and dicamba, and is available as both a ready-to-spray concentrate and a hose-end spray bottle.

The addition of quinclorac is particularly useful. While 2,4-D and dicamba target broadleaf weeds, quinclorac also controls certain grassy weeds — specifically crabgrass — making Spectracide Weed Stop a more versatile option for lawns dealing with mixed weed populations.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: The formulation is carefully balanced for selective action. Quinclorac, in particular, is one of the few compounds that reliably controls crabgrass in established lawns without harming common turf grasses.

Application Tip: For the hose-end bottle, calibration is largely handled by the product design. For concentrate, follow label dilution instructions precisely. This is a product where over-application is one of the most common causes of unintended turf damage.

3. Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D Weed Killer

Target Weeds: Broadleaf weeds including dandelion, thistle, plantain, henbit, wild onion, and chickweed.

Safe For: Established stands of Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, Bermuda grass, Zoysia, and Bahia grass.

For homeowners who want a straightforward, proven, and cost-effective broadleaf herbicide, Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D is a reliable option. It contains 47.2 percent 2,4-D amine as the sole active ingredient, making it one of the higher-concentration pure 2,4-D products available to residential users.

It is a concentrate that requires dilution, which gives users more control over application rates for different situations. For light broadleaf weed pressure, a lower rate is appropriate; for severe or established weed infestations, the full labeled rate may be necessary.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: 2,4-D is one of the most extensively studied herbicides in the world, with decades of research documenting its selective action on broadleaf plants versus grass species. The amine salt formulation is less volatile than ester formulations, reducing the risk of vapour drift to nearby ornamental plants.

Application Tip: Do not apply to St. Augustine grass, centipede grass, or dichondra lawns — 2,4-D can cause significant injury to these species. Always consult the label before applying to any warm-season grass species you are unfamiliar with.

4. Tenacity Herbicide (Mesotrione)

Target Weeds: Over 46 broadleaf and grassy weed species, including crabgrass, yellow nutsedge, ground ivy, nimblewill, and white clover.

Safe For: Kentucky bluegrass, centipede grass, tall fescue, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, and buffalo grass.

Tenacity, manufactured by Syngenta, is a professional-grade herbicide that has become increasingly available to homeowners through online retailers and specialty turf suppliers. Its active ingredient, mesotrione, works through a completely different mechanism than most herbicides on this list — it inhibits the HPPD enzyme, which is essential for the synthesis of carotenoid pigments in plants.

Without carotenoid protection, affected weeds lose their green color and turn white or bleach out before dying. This bleaching effect is a visible indicator that the product is working, which many users find satisfying — and confirming.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: The grass species listed on the label have sufficient HPPD enzyme activity to tolerate mesotrione at labeled rates. Importantly, Tenacity can be used at seeding, making it one of the very few selective herbicides suitable for use when establishing a new lawn from seed.

Application Tip: Add a non-ionic surfactant (a wetting agent, often sold separately) to the spray mixture to improve adhesion to waxy weed surfaces. Results are slower than some other products — allow two to three weeks for full effect. A second application three to four weeks after the first may be needed for persistent weeds.

5. Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action

Target Weeds: Broadleaf weeds including dandelion, clover, plantain, and chickweed.

Safe For: Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, perennial ryegrass, and Bermuda grass (not labeled for centipede, St. Augustine, or buffalo grass).

Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action is a granular combination product that does three things at once: kills existing broadleaf weeds, prevents crabgrass from germinating, and feeds the lawn with a fertilizer component. For homeowners who want to simplify their lawn care routine, it is a practical and efficient option.

The herbicide active ingredients are quinclorac (for crabgrass prevention and control) and sulfentrazone (for broadleaf weed control), combined with a 2,4-D and mecoprop formulation. The granular delivery system makes it easy to apply with a standard broadcast spreader.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: Each active ingredient in this formulation has established selectivity for the labeled grass species. Sulfentrazone, in particular, is a reliable selective herbicide widely used on cool-season lawns.

Application Tip: Apply in early spring before crabgrass germinates — typically when soil temperatures at a depth of two inches reach 50°F to 55°F (10°C to 13°C). Water the lawn lightly after application (about 0.25 to 0.5 inches of water) to activate the product and move it into the soil.

6. BioAdvanced All-in-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer

Target Weeds: Crabgrass, dandelion, clover, spurge, chickweed, and over 200 additional weed species.

Safe For: Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, Zoysia, Bermuda grass, and centipede grass (avoid use on St. Augustine).

BioAdvanced All-in-One is a liquid concentrate that targets both broadleaf weeds and crabgrass in a single application. Its active ingredient combination — dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D, quinclorac, and dicamba — provides the dual-spectrum control that makes it suitable for lawns with mixed weed pressure.

This product is particularly valued by homeowners who notice both broadleaf weeds (like dandelions and clover) and grassy weeds (like crabgrass) appearing in their lawns simultaneously — a situation where a single-spectrum broadleaf-only product would leave the crabgrass entirely untreated.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: Quinclorac provides the crucial grassy weed selectivity in this formulation. When applied at labeled rates, quinclorac targets crabgrass through a unique mechanism involving ethylene production and ABA (abscisic acid) accumulation that does not affect established cool-season and warm-season turf grasses.

Application Tip: For best results on crabgrass, apply when the crabgrass is young — ideally at the two- to four-tiller stage. Older, more mature crabgrass plants are progressively harder to control with post-emergent products. Add a methylated seed oil adjuvant when targeting wild violet or ground ivy, which have particularly waxy leaf surfaces.

7. Hi-Yield Triclopyr Ester Weed Killer

Target Weeds: Woody brush, vines, wild violet, ground ivy, oxalis, and other difficult-to-control broadleaf weeds that are resistant to 2,4-D.

Safe For: Most established cool-season and warm-season grasses at labeled rates. Use with caution on St. Augustine and centipede grasses.

Triclopyr is the herbicide of choice for weeds that simply do not respond well to standard 2,4-D treatments. Wild violet and ground ivy, in particular, are notorious for their resistance to 2,4-D-based products — but they are highly susceptible to triclopyr.

Hi-Yield Triclopyr Ester is a concentrated formulation with a high active ingredient content, making it effective even on mature, established weed infestations that have been difficult to control in the past. It is commonly used by lawn care professionals as a spot-treatment option for stubborn broadleaf weed patches.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: Triclopyr is a synthetic auxin compound, similar in mechanism to 2,4-D, but with a different molecular structure that makes it more effective on certain plant families that 2,4-D misses. At labeled rates, established lawn grasses metabolize triclopyr without significant damage.

Application Tip: The ester formulation of triclopyr is more volatile than amine formulations. Avoid application on hot days (above 85°F / 30°C) or when wind is present, as vapour drift can injure nearby ornamental trees and shrubs. For broadleaf weed control in areas near woody ornamentals, the amine formulation of triclopyr is a safer choice.

8. Dismiss Turf Herbicide (Sulfentrazone)

Target Weeds: Yellow and purple nutsedge, kyllinga, and certain broadleaf weeds.

Safe For: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, Bermuda grass, Zoysia, centipede grass, and St. Augustine grass.

Nutsedge — colloquially called “nutgrass” — is one of the most frustrating weed problems a lawn owner can face. It is not a true grass or a true broadleaf plant. It is a sedge, and it requires its own category of herbicide for effective control. Most broadleaf herbicides and standard grass-safe herbicides do not meaningfully affect nutsedge.

Dismiss Turf Herbicide, with sulfentrazone as its active ingredient, is one of the most reliable nutsedge control products available for established turf. It provides fast results — visible injury to nutsedge is often apparent within 24 to 48 hours of application — and it works on both yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus).

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: Sulfentrazone inhibits the PPO (protoporphyrinogen oxidase) enzyme, which is involved in chlorophyll production. Turf grasses metabolize sulfentrazone rapidly through specific enzyme pathways that nutsedge plants lack, giving established lawn grasses a significant tolerance advantage.

Application Tip: Apply when nutsedge is actively growing — typically in late spring to early summer. Add a non-ionic surfactant to the spray solution to improve foliar uptake. A repeat application four to six weeks later may be needed for purple nutsedge, which regrows from underground tubers more aggressively than yellow nutsedge.

9. Certainty Herbicide (Halosulfuron-methyl)

Target Weeds: Yellow and purple nutsedge, kyllinga, and certain sedge species.

Safe For: Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, perennial ryegrass, Bermuda grass, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, and Bahia grass.

Certainty is another professional-grade herbicide that targets nutsedge and sedge species. Its active ingredient, halosulfuron-methyl, belongs to the sulfonylurea class of herbicides and works by inhibiting the ALS (acetolactate synthase) enzyme, which is essential for the synthesis of amino acids in the target plant.

Certainty is available in a water-soluble granule (WSG) formulation, making it easy to measure, mix, and apply. It is particularly popular among golf course superintendents and professional lawn care operators for nutsedge management on high-value turf.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: The ALS enzyme pathway that halosulfuron-methyl disrupts is present in both grass plants and sedges, but turf grasses at labeled application rates have sufficient metabolic capacity to detoxify the herbicide before it causes lasting damage. Sedges and broadleaf weeds lack this detoxification capacity.

Application Tip: Apply to actively growing nutsedge in early to mid-summer. Multiple applications at 6-week intervals may be necessary for dense nutsedge infestations, particularly where underground tuber networks are established. Always add a non-ionic surfactant, as this herbicide requires good foliar coverage for maximum efficacy.

10. Roundup for Lawns (Selective Formula)

Target Weeds: Over 90 types of broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds including dandelions, crabgrass, foxtail, and clover.

Safe For: Northern grasses including Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and perennial ryegrass; Southern grasses including Bermuda grass, Zoysia, Bahia, centipede, and St. Augustine.

It is worth noting clearly that this product is fundamentally different from standard Roundup (which contains glyphosate and is non-selective). Roundup for Lawns is a completely separate formulation developed specifically for use on established turf. The active ingredients are quinclorac, 2,4-D, dicamba, and sulfentrazone — none of which is glyphosate. The Roundup name is simply the brand umbrella.

Roundup for Lawns is available in separate Northern and Southern formulas, each calibrated for the specific grass species and weed populations common in those regions. This regional differentiation makes it a thoughtful product choice for homeowners who want something specifically designed for their climate and grass type.

Why It Works Without Killing Grass: The combination of four active ingredients — each targeting a different class of weeds — provides broad-spectrum control while maintaining selectivity for labeled turf species. Sulfentrazone and quinclorac together handle both broadleaf and grassy weeds without accumulating to phytotoxic levels in healthy lawn grasses.

Application Tip: Read the label carefully to confirm you are purchasing the correct formula (Northern or Southern) for your region and grass type. The Southern formula includes St. Augustine and centipede grass tolerance; the Northern formula does not. For best results, apply to actively growing weeds in mid-spring to early summer.

Comparing the 10 Products at a Glance

Product	Weed Target	Key Active Ingredient(s)	Best For
Ortho WeedClear	Broadleaf weeds (200+ spp.)	2,4-D, MCPP, Dicamba	General broadleaf control
Spectracide Weed Stop	Broadleaf + crabgrass (460+ spp.)	2,4-D, Quinclorac, Dicamba	Mixed weed populations
Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D	Broadleaf weeds	2,4-D	Cost-effective broadleaf control
Tenacity (Mesotrione)	Broadleaf + grassy weeds	Mesotrione	New lawns, nimblewill, nutsedge
Scotts Triple Action	Broadleaf + crabgrass prevention	Quinclorac, Sulfentrazone, 2,4-D	Spring prevention + control
BioAdvanced All-in-One	Broadleaf + crabgrass	2,4-D, Quinclorac, Dicamba	Dual-spectrum summer control
Hi-Yield Triclopyr	Difficult broadleaf weeds	Triclopyr	Wild violet, ground ivy
Dismiss (Sulfentrazone)	Nutsedge, kyllinga	Sulfentrazone	Fast nutsedge knockdown
Certainty (Halosulfuron)	Nutsedge, sedges	Halosulfuron-methyl	Heavy nutsedge infestations
Roundup for Lawns	Broadleaf + grassy weeds	Quinclorac, 2,4-D, Dicamba, Sulfentrazone	All-in-one selective control

Understanding Selective vs. Non-Selective Herbicides

Before reviewing specific products, it is worth taking a moment to understand the fundamental distinction between selective and non-selective herbicides — because this distinction is at the heart of the question.

A non-selective herbicide kills or severely damages any plant it contacts. Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) is the most widely known example. These products are useful for clearing an entire area before replanting, but they have no place in an established lawn where you want to preserve the grass.

A selective herbicide is formulated to affect certain plant types while leaving others unharmed. The selectivity comes from differences in plant biology — how certain species absorb, translocate, or metabolize specific chemical compounds. Many broadleaf herbicides, for example, exploit the fact that broadleaf weeds and grass plants process certain growth-regulating hormones very differently.

There is one important caveat: selectivity is never absolute. Factors such as application rate, grass species, temperature, and grass stress level can affect whether a selective herbicide causes damage. Always read the product label carefully, and never apply more than the recommended rate.

How to Choose the Right Weed Killer for Your Lawn

With ten solid options in front of you, the question naturally becomes: how do you choose? A few straightforward considerations will guide your decision.

Identify your weed type first. This is the single most important step. Is the problem broadleaf weeds (wide, flat leaves — dandelion, clover, plantain)? Grassy weeds (narrow blades — crabgrass, foxtail, annual bluegrass)? Or sedges (triangular stems, thick blades — nutsedge)? Choosing a broadleaf herbicide for a crabgrass problem will yield no results at all, and vice versa.

Know your grass species. Not every herbicide on this list is safe for every grass species. St. Augustine and centipede grasses, in particular, are more sensitive to 2,4-D and dicamba than cool-season grasses are. If you have a warm-season lawn, verify your grass species before purchasing any herbicide.

Consider timing relative to weed life cycle. Pre-emergent herbicides (like the crabgrass prevention component in Scotts Triple Action) must be applied before weeds germinate. Post-emergent herbicides (most of the products on this list) must be applied after weeds have emerged. Applying a pre-emergent too late renders it ineffective; applying a post-emergent to weeds that have not yet emerged does nothing.

Account for environmental conditions. Most selective herbicides have a temperature window for optimal performance and minimal risk of turf damage. Applying herbicides during high heat (above 85°F / 30°C), drought stress, or immediately before heavy rain can all reduce effectiveness or increase the risk of turf injury.

Start with the least-complex option for mild infestations. A straightforward 2,4-D product is often sufficient for a lawn with scattered dandelions or clover. Reserve the more complex multi-active-ingredient products for lawns with heavier, mixed-weed problems.

Important Safety and Legal Considerations

Herbicide use comes with responsibilities that go beyond lawn aesthetics. A few important points deserve mention.

Read the label before every application. In the United States, the herbicide label is a legal document, and applying a product in a manner inconsistent with its label directions is a violation of federal pesticide law under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This is not a technicality — label directions reflect tested, safe, and effective use parameters.

Protect water bodies. Many herbicides carry specific instructions about buffer distances from streams, ponds, and storm drains. Herbicide runoff into water bodies can harm aquatic plants, fish, and invertebrates. Never apply herbicides immediately before a rainstorm, and never use sprayer wash water to clean off paved surfaces that drain to storm sewers.

Store products safely. Keep herbicides in their original containers, stored in a cool and dry location out of reach of children and pets. Never transfer herbicide concentrates to unlabeled containers.

Consider pollinators. If your lawn contains flowering weeds like white clover in bloom, bees and other pollinators may be actively foraging. Mow the lawn first to remove flower heads before applying broadleaf herbicides, reducing exposure risk to beneficial insects.

Tips for Long-Term Weed Prevention

The most effective weed control strategy goes beyond herbicides. A thick, healthy lawn is naturally resistant to weed invasion because dense turf leaves little room for weed seeds to establish.

• Mow at the correct height. Cutting grass too short weakens it and allows more sunlight to reach the soil, encouraging weed germination. Most lawn grasses perform best when mowed at 3 to 4 inches.
• Water deeply and infrequently. Shallow watering encourages shallow root systems and favors many annual weeds. Water deeply two to three times per week rather than a little every day.
• Fertilize appropriately. A well-fed lawn is resilient. Follow a fertilization schedule suited to your grass type and region. Avoid under-feeding or over-feeding, both of which weaken the turf.
• Overseed thin areas. Bare or thin spots are open invitations for weeds. Overseeding in fall for cool-season grasses, or spring for warm-season grasses, keeps the turf dense and competitive.
• Dethatch and aerate. Thatch buildup and compacted soil restrict root development. Core aeration once a year significantly improves lawn health and allows nutrients, water, and air to reach the root zone.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best weed killer that won’t kill grass is less about picking any one magic product and more about understanding your lawn, your weeds, and your goals. A selective herbicide applied correctly, at the right time, to the right weed type, in the right lawn — that is the combination that delivers real results.

Whether you choose a professional-grade concentrate like Trimec, a user-friendly ready-to-spray formula like Ortho WeedClear, or an organic option like an iron-based herbicide, the principles remain the same: identify the weed, choose the appropriate product, apply it correctly, and follow up with good lawn care practices.

Weed-free lawns do not happen overnight. But with the right approach, a clean, healthy, green lawn is entirely achievable — without sacrificing the grass you have worked so hard to grow.

References

1. Thelen, K.D., & Penner, D. (1998). Mechanism of Quinclorac Selectivity Between Crabgrass and Warm-Season Turfgrasses. Weed Technology, 12(2), 351–357. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/weed-technology/article/mechanism-of-quinclorac-selectivity
   
2. University of Florida IFAS Extension – Weed Management in Home Lawns. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP141
   
3. Doroh, M.C., McElroy, J.S., & Van Dyke, M.W. (2010). Selectivity and Efficacy of Mesotrione on Common Lawn Weeds. Weed Technology, 24(4), 549–556.https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/weed-technology/article/selectivity-mesotrione
   
4. Penn State Extension – Weed Management in Turf. https://extension.psu.edu/weed-management-in-turf
   
5. Fishel, F.M. (2013). Pesticide Safety — Understanding the Pesticide Label. University of Florida IFAS Extension Publication PI-13. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PI013