Does your once-vibrant green lawn suddenly look patchy, brown, or covered in strange spots? Lawn fungus is a sneaky enemy. It can turn your pride and joy into a patchy mess seemingly overnight. Dealing with lawn diseases like Dollar Spot or Brown Patch can feel frustrating, especially when you are unsure what is causing the problem or how to fix it.
Choosing the right fungicide adds another layer of confusion. Should you use a liquid or a granular product? What active ingredients actually work best for your specific grass type? Many homeowners waste time and money on treatments that do little to stop the spread of disease. This confusion stops now.
Inside this guide, we cut through the jargon. You will learn exactly how to identify common lawn fungi and select the most effective fungicide for fast, lasting results. We break down the best products on the market so you can confidently restore your lawn’s health. Get ready to say goodbye to lawn diseases and hello to a healthier, greener yard.
Top Fungicide For Lawn Recommendations
- Use Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide on home lawns to prevent disease before it appears and control disease at the first sign of symptoms
- Controls 26 listed lawn diseases, including brown patch, stem & stripe rust, red thread, powdery mildew, necrotic ring spot, and pink patch
- This fungicide for lawns starts working within 24 hours of application, and continues to control diseases up to 4 weeks
- For best results, begin applications of this lawn care treatment prior to disease symptoms, or when conditions are favorable for disease
- One 10 lb. bag of Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide 10 lb. bag treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- FUNGICIDE: Fungus Control for lawns cures and prevents listed lawn diseases
- 30 DAY PROTECTION: Protects against lawn diseases for up to a month
- DISEASE CONTROL: Fungicide controls Red Threat, Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Rust, and other listed diseases
- RAINPROOF PROTECTION: Systemic Fungicide is absorbed by grass and will not wash off
- Can be used on all lawn types
- DUAL-ACTION FORMULA: Controls major lawn diseases and fungus, plus kills listed lawn-damaging insects on contact
- RAINPROOF: Rainproof in hours – can’t be washed off by rain
- PREVENTS DISEASE: Start treating when grass begins to green up in the spring; for best results, treat every two weeks
- QUICKFLIP HOSE-END SPRAYER: Attaches easily to your garden hose and activates at the flip of a switch
- Azoxystrobin 0.31%
- Golf courses, lawns and landscape areas around residential, institutional, public, commercial and industrial buildings, parks, recreational areas and athletic fields.
- Don't let brown spots or mildew block your path to a beautiful yard; Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide is a fast-acting formula that stops and prevents 26 common lawn-blemishing diseases
- PREVENTS AND CONTROLS: This lawn fungus treatment is preventative when used on lawns to control brown spots and rings before they appear, and curative when applied on lawns showing signs of disease
- CURES 26 LAWN DISEASE TYPES: Offers broad spectrum disease prevention and control against Brown Patch, Stem and Stripe Rust, Red Thread, Powdery Mildew, Necrotic Ring Spot, Summer Patch, Yellow Patch and more listed diseases
- FAST ACTING: Starts working in 24 hours of treatment; the systemic fungicide formula controls common broad spectrum diseases for up to 4 weeks
- USE WITH CONFIDENCE: Apply this lawn fungus control with a Scotts spreader at a uniform coverage; a 10 lb. bag can treat up to 5,000 sq. ft.; people and pets may re-enter treated area after application
- Use Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide on home lawns to prevent disease before it appears and control disease at the first sign of symptoms
- Controls 26 listed lawn diseases, including brown patch, stem & stripe rust, red thread, powdery mildew, necrotic ring spot, and pink patch
- This fungicide for lawns starts working within 24 hours of application, and continues to control diseases up to 4 weeks
- For best results, begin applications of this lawn care treatment prior to disease symptoms, or when conditions are favorable for disease
- One 10 lb. bag of Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide 10 lb. bag treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- PROVEN BROAD-SPECTRUM FUNGUS PREVENTION: Gunner 14.3 MEC contains 14.3% propiconazole; the same active ingredient as Banner Maxx, the fungicide golf, landscape, and nursery pros trust for proven protection against more than 20 plant fungi.
- AN ADVANCED FORMULA FOR EASY MIXING: The MEC in Gunner 14.3 MEC makes a difference. MEC, or microemulsion concentrate, formulations are made with extremely small particles resulting in mixing ease and greater product stability. Once mixed in the sprayer, Gunner 14.3 MEC won’t separate and settle meaning you won’t have to mix again and again. Our MEC formulation is also tank-mix compatible with many other fungicides making it easy to customize your best-fit fungus control solution.
- PREDICTABLE CONTROL EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER ISN’T: When unpredictable weather strikes, Gunner 14.3 MEC delivers control you can count on. Once sprays have dried, it is resistant to washing away with rain or irrigation – keeping your foliar treatment right where you need it, on the foliage. When treating for soil-borne fungus, we suggest watering in after application. Refer to the product label for complete application directions.
- CONTROL YOU SEE, NOT SMELL: Some fungus control products leave unwanted scents behind. Gunner 14.3 MEC mixes into a low-odor solution so results are all you’ll notice after application.
- FAST-ACTING AND LONG-LASTING: Gunner 14.3 MEC enters the plant quickly via root uptake or stem absorption to deliver fast fungus protection that lasts up to 28 days. Find application instructions and intervals per target fungus in the product label.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Fungicide for a Healthy Lawn
Seeing brown patches or strange spots on your beautiful lawn is frustrating. Those are often signs of lawn fungus. A good lawn fungicide can save your turf. This guide helps you pick the right one.
Key Features to Look For
When buying a lawn fungicide, several features matter most. These features determine how well the product works and how easy it is to use.
1. Type of Action: Systemic vs. Contact
- Contact (Protective) Fungicides: These sit on the surface of the grass blades. They stop spores from landing and growing. Think of it like putting on sunscreen before going outside. You must apply these *before* the fungus starts or when you first see a tiny spot.
- Systemic (Curative) Fungicides: These move inside the plant’s system, like medicine in the bloodstream. They can kill fungus that has already started infecting the grass. These are better for treating existing, serious outbreaks.
2. Target Diseases
Different fungicides fight different diseases. Check the label! Common lawn problems include Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Rust, and Red Thread. Make sure the product lists the specific fungus you are fighting.
3. Longevity and Residual Effect
How long does the protection last? Some products offer short-term protection (a few weeks), while others last much longer (several months). Longer-lasting products mean fewer trips to the store and fewer applications for you.
Important Materials and Ingredients
The active ingredients are what actually kill the fungus. Always check the label for these chemicals.
Common Active Ingredients
- Azoxystrobin: A very common systemic ingredient that works well against many diseases.
- Propiconazole: Another powerful systemic chemical that offers good control.
- Mancozeb: Often used as a broad-spectrum, contact fungicide.
Formulation Matters: Fungicides come in liquids (which you mix with water) or granules (which you spread like fertilizer). Liquids often work faster, but granules spread more evenly for beginners.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your fungicide choice depends on several factors related to your lawn and how you use the product.
Factors Improving Quality
- Proper Identification: Applying the *right* fungicide for your *specific* fungus provides the best results. A fungicide for Dollar Spot won’t fix Brown Patch.
- Timing: Applying curative products early in the infection cycle works much better than waiting until the lawn is severely damaged.
- Good Coverage: When spraying, ensure you cover every blade of grass evenly. Overlapping your spray slightly helps achieve this.
Factors Reducing Quality (What to Avoid)
- Rain Before Drying: If rain washes the product off before it dries or soaks in, the fungicide fails. Check the forecast!
- Applying During Stress: Do not apply heavy treatments when your lawn is already stressed by extreme heat or drought. This can sometimes harm the grass instead of helping it.
- Resistance: Using the exact same active ingredient repeatedly can cause the fungus to become resistant. Rotate your products occasionally to keep the fungus guessing.
User Experience and Use Cases
Your experience depends on ease of use and visibility of results.
Ease of Application
For a new homeowner, granular products mixed with a standard broadcast spreader are usually the easiest to use. If you are treating a small, specific area (like a single brown ring), a ready-to-use spray bottle provides the best spot treatment experience.
When to Use Which Type
- Preventative Use (Best Practice): If you have had fungus before, use a systemic fungicide early in the season before the weather gets hot and humid. This prevents the problem entirely.
- Curative Use (Emergency Fix): If you wake up and see large, spreading patches, you need a strong systemic fungicide immediately to stop the spread.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Fungicides
Q: How quickly does a lawn fungicide start working?
A: Contact fungicides work almost immediately upon drying on the grass blades. Systemic fungicides take longer—usually a few days to a week—because the chemical needs time to be absorbed by the grass roots or leaves.
Q: Can I use fungicide and fertilizer at the same time?
A: Generally, yes, but read the labels carefully. It is often best to wait a few days between heavy applications of both products. If you use a granular fungicide, you can sometimes apply fertilizer with it if the packaging allows.
Q: How long do I have to wait before mowing after applying fungicide?
A: Most manufacturers recommend waiting 24 to 48 hours after application before mowing. This allows the product enough time to soak in or dry completely.
Q: Will fungicide hurt my pets or kids?
A: Yes, treated areas are unsafe until the product is completely dry. Always keep pets and children off the lawn during application and until the label says it is safe to re-enter (usually after drying).
Q: Do I need a special sprayer for liquid fungicide?
A: You need a clean sprayer. Do not use the same sprayer you use for herbicides (weed killers) unless you clean it extremely well. Contamination can harm your grass.
Q: Why is my fungus coming back even after treatment?
A: This usually happens for two reasons: either you did not use enough product, or the weather conditions (high heat and humidity) are still perfect for the fungus to thrive and re-infect the lawn.
Q: Are organic fungicides available?
A: Yes, some organic options use beneficial bacteria or potassium bicarbonate. These often work best as preventatives and require much more frequent applications than chemical options.
Q: What is the best temperature to apply fungicide?
A: Most lawn fungicides work best when temperatures are mild, usually between 60°F and 85°F. Avoid applying during the hottest part of the day.
Q: Can I use a fungicide to kill weeds?
A: No. Fungicides only kill fungi (diseases). They do not affect weeds. You need a separate herbicide product to control weeds.
Q: How do I know if the fungicide is working?
A: If the brown or diseased spots stop spreading after 3 to 5 days, the fungicide is working. New, healthy green growth should start appearing in the treated areas within one to two weeks.