Is your beautiful Florida lawn constantly battling an army of unwanted weeds? You spend time and money making your grass green, but those stubborn invaders just won’t quit. Dealing with weeds in our warm, humid climate can feel like a never-ending chore. It’s frustrating when you try one product, and it doesn’t work, or worse, it harms your good grass!
Choosing the right weed killer for a Florida lawn is tricky. Different weeds thrive here, and what works in one state might damage your St. Augustine or Zoysia grass. You need something strong enough to win the fight but safe for your prize-winning turf. Finding that perfect balance can be confusing.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly which weed killers work best in the Sunshine State. You will learn what to look for, what common mistakes to avoid, and how to keep your lawn looking picture-perfect all year long. Get ready to reclaim your yard!
Top Weed Killer For Florida Lawns Recommendations
- KILLS & PREVENTS WEEDS* UP TO 6 MONTHS: Kills broadleaf weeds*, including Dandelion, Clover, Chickweed and Henbit with a proven blend of weed killers *Listed
- CRABGRASS PREVENTION: Prevents grassy and listed broadleaf weeds such as Crabgrass, Annual Bluegrass, Common Dandelion, Goosegrass and Spurge for up to 6 months
- IDEAL FOR SOUTHERN LAWNS: Improve your lawn care with this broadleaf weed killer that treats up to 4,000 square feet of southern turf, including all varieties of St. Augustinegrass and Floratam
- READY FOR THE SEASON: With one application, this crabgrass preventer offers season-long weed control
- SIMPLE APPLICATION: Apply these weed killer granules with a rotary or drop spreader and water lightly 24 hours after applying
- SOUTHERN LAWNS: Specially formulated for Southern lawns like Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam), and more, this grass fertilizer for lawn provides care and acts as a weed killer for lawns
- 6-MONTH PROTECTION: Delivers up to 6 months of weed prevention, stopping listed broadleaf and grassy weeds, including crabgrass
- WEED KILLER: Kills listed weeds like dandelion, dollarweed, and clover, serving as a reliable weed and feed for lawns to keep your lawn healthy and maintain its beauty
- LAWN FERTILIZER: This lawn fertilizer and weed control product feeds, greens, and strengthens your lawn, helping it remain lush throughout the season
- EASY APPLICATION: Use with a broadcast or drop spreader to apply this weed and feed lawn fertilizer, managing your lawn care routine with ease and maximum results
- Use Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Spray to kill weeds down to the root, without harming your lawn (when used as directed); you'll see visible results in hours
- KILLS WEEDS: This lawn weed killer kills over 250 common weeds, including dandelions, clover, poison ivy, chickweed, and dollarweed (see product label for complete weed list)
- LAWN FRIENDLY: It contains three proven ingredients that target common lawn weeds, so it won’t harm your grass (when used as directed)
- RESULTS YOU CAN SEE: Visible results in hours; rainproof in 1 hour upon drying; people and pets may enter the treated area after the spray has dried
- EASY TO USE: To apply, connect your garden hose to the sprayer and set the nozzle to your desired setting
- Use Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns to kill over 250 listed weeds including dandelion and clover down to the root, without harming your lawn (when used as directed)
- This weed control product is rainproof in 1 hour and produces results in just 1 application
- Use to kill weeds in turfgrasses including St. Augustinegrass (not Floratam), Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, Zoysiagrass, Buffalograss, and Bahiagrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, and Fine Fescue
- Apply this lawn weed killer to small, actively growing weeds when daytime temperatures are below 90°F
- This 1 gal. container of Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns comes with the convenient trigger sprayer to easily spot treat weeds in your lawn
- KILLS WEEDS – NOT THE LAWN: When used as directed
- VISIBLE RESULTS IN 5 HOURS: Conquer unruly weeds and see visible results in as fast as 5 hours
- KILLS 470+ WEED TYPES AS LISTED: Kills broadleaf and grassy weeds including dandelion, chickweed and clover as well as crabgrass and yellow nutsedge – see product label for complete list of weed types
- KILLS THE ROOT: Kills weeds by contact down to the root
- READY-TO-USE FORMULA: No mixing required
- Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control kills weeds and gives your lawn a quick boost of nitrogen to promote greening
- Liquid weed killer plus fertilizer controls dandelion, clover, ground ivy, henbit, chickweed, plantain, poison ivy, and other broadleaf weeds as listed
- Apply this ready-to-spray weed and feed when weeds are actively growing
- This lawn care product is for use on Bluegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, Bahiagrass, Common Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, and Zoysiagrass
- One 32 fl. oz. container of Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control provides coverage of 6,000 sq. ft. for warm season lawns and 4,000 sq. ft. for cool season lawns
- Atrazine - 4.00%
- Weeds Controlled or Suppressed: Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua), Chickweed (Commonand Mouseear),
- For use in St. Augustine and Centipede grass
- Henbit, Moneywort, Pennywort (Dollarweed), Chickweed (Common and Mouseear), Spurge, Annual
- Roundup Weed & Grass Killer₄ kills tough weeds and grasses to the root, including dandelion, crabgrass, poison ivy, clover (red & white), spotted spurge, and other broadleaf weeds
- It is rainproof in as fast as 30 minutes and produces visible results in hours
- Allows for planting 1 to 30 days after application (see booklet for details)
- Use in or around flower beds and perennial landscape plants, around trees and shrubs, on patios, walkways, and driveways, gravel, or mulch beds, along fences and foundations, and edging around foundations and retaining walls
- The Pump ‘N Go 2 Sprayer with an extendable wand provides up to 10 minutes of continuous spray and provides greater accuracy without bending over
Choosing the Best Weed Killer for Your Florida Lawn
Florida’s warm, humid weather helps grass grow fast. But it also helps weeds thrive! You need the right weed killer to keep your lawn looking green and healthy. This guide helps you pick the perfect product for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for weed killer, several features matter most for Florida lawns.
- Selective vs. Non-Selective: Most homeowners need a selective killer. This means it targets only broadleaf weeds (like dollarweed or clover) but leaves your St. Augustine or Bermuda grass unharmed. A non-selective killer kills everything it touches, including your good grass.
- Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent: A pre-emergent stops seeds from sprouting. Use this early in the season to prevent weeds before they start. A post-emergent kills weeds that are already visible. You need both for a complete weed control plan.
- Temperature Tolerance: Florida gets hot! Make sure the product label says it works safely in high heat (above 85°F). Some chemicals burn your grass when applied in extreme heat.
- Rainfastness: Florida summers bring sudden, heavy rain. Look for products that become “rainfast” quickly—usually within an hour or two—so the rain doesn’t wash the killer away before it works.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The active ingredients determine how the weed killer works. Different ingredients work best on different weeds.
Common Active Ingredients:
- 2,4-D, Dicamba, and MCPP: These are common in selective killers. They are excellent at controlling broadleaf weeds found in typical Florida lawns.
- Atrazine: This ingredient works well against certain grassy weeds and is often safe for St. Augustine grass, a very popular Florida turf.
- Glyphosate: This is the main ingredient in many non-selective killers (like Roundup). Use this only on weeds growing in sidewalks or areas where you want *nothing* to grow.
Product Form Matters:
Weed killers come in liquid concentrates, ready-to-use sprays, or granular forms. Liquids often work faster, but granules are easier to spread evenly across large areas using a standard spreader.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your results depends on using the product correctly and understanding the environment.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Proper Application Rate: Always follow the directions exactly. Using too little wastes money; using too much can damage your lawn or run off into storm drains.
- Timing: Apply pre-emergents right before weed seeds germinate (often early spring and late summer). Apply post-emergents when weeds are actively growing.
- Lawn Health: A thick, well-fed lawn naturally crowds out weeds. Healthy grass improves how well the killer works.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- High Winds: Windy days cause spray drift, moving the herbicide onto desirable plants or your neighbor’s lawn.
- Drought Stress: If your grass is dry and stressed from lack of water, it absorbs chemicals poorly, reducing the killer’s effectiveness.
- Applying Before Rain: If the product isn’t rainfast, a sudden downpour washes the product away, meaning you must reapply.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the product greatly affects what you should buy.
Spot Treating vs. Overall Coverage:
If you only have a few weeds popping up, a ready-to-use trigger spray bottle offers the best user experience. You aim and spray exactly where needed. For a large infestation covering a quarter-acre or more, a granular product applied with a broadcast spreader saves significant time and effort.
Safety First:
Always wear gloves, long pants, and eye protection when mixing or applying any lawn chemical. Ensure children and pets stay off the lawn until the product dries completely, usually just a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Florida Weed Killers
Q: When should I apply pre-emergent weed killer in Florida?
A: For warm-season grasses common in Florida, apply pre-emergent usually in February or March to stop spring weeds. Apply a second round in late August or September to stop winter weed germination.
Q: Can I use a weed killer when it is 95 degrees outside?
A: Check the label carefully. Many powerful weed killers can burn St. Augustine grass when temperatures are over 90°F. It is safer to apply treatments early in the morning when temperatures are cooler, or wait for a slightly cooler stretch.
Q: How fast does a post-emergent killer work?
A: Results vary by product, but you should see visible signs of weed damage (wilting or yellowing) within 3 to 7 days. Some fast-acting products show results in 24 hours.
Q: Is there a weed killer safe for St. Augustine grass?
A: Yes. St. Augustine grass is sensitive. Look for products specifically labeled as safe for St. Augustine, often containing ingredients like Atrazine or specific concentrations of 2,4-D.
Q: What do I do if it rains right after I spray?
A: If the product label says it is rainfast after one hour, you are generally safe. If it rains immediately (within 30 minutes), the product likely washed away, and you should reapply according to the product’s instructions for re-entry.
Q: Do I need to water my lawn after applying granular weed killer?
A: Yes, usually. Most granular products need to be watered in slightly after application. This helps dissolve the granules so the active ingredients move down to the soil level where the weeds are.
Q: Can I use the same product for dollarweed and crabgrass?
A: No, usually not effectively. Dollarweed is a broadleaf weed, while crabgrass is a grassy weed. You need a selective product designed specifically for broadleaf weeds for dollarweed, and a different pre-emergent or post-emergent labeled for grassy weeds for crabgrass.
Q: Does organic weed killer work as well in Florida?
A: Organic options, often based on vinegar or citrus oils, kill weeds quickly on contact. However, they are almost always non-selective and offer no lasting control. They do not prevent new weeds from growing like chemical pre-emergents do.
Q: How long must I wait before mowing after application?
A: Wait at least 24 to 48 hours after applying a liquid post-emergent killer before mowing. Mowing too soon can remove the chemical before it finishes killing the weed.
Q: What should I do if the weeds look brown but the grass looks yellow?
A: Yellowing grass often means the product was applied too heavily or during too much heat. Stop using that product immediately. Water the area lightly to help flush the excess chemical away from the grass roots.