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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
The biggest fear when buying a weed killer is nuking the lawn you are trying to save. A selective herbicide for grass solves that by targeting broadleaf weeds and leaving your turf standing — but picking the right one means understanding what you are spraying on. This guide cuts through the labels to give you the straight answer on what actually works.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You will learn which formulations beat dandelions, clover, and crabgrass, and how to apply them for a healthy lawn. selective herbicide for grass picks depend on your turf type, weed problem, and how fast you need results.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Selective Herbicide For Grass
To pick the right selective herbicide (a weed killer that targets broadleaf weeds without harming your lawn grass), you need to match it to your grass type, the specific weeds you are fighting, and whether you prefer a liquid spray or granular spreader application. These three factors narrow your options faster than any brand promise.
Match the label to your turf
Selective means the product targets certain weeds but not your lawn — but only if your grass type is on the label. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue handle most products, while warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass are more sensitive. Always check that your specific turf is listed before spraying.
Identify the weed you are attacking
Broadleaf weeds like dandelion and clover respond to one group of chemicals, while grassy weeds like crabgrass need a different one. Nutsedge, a common impostor that looks like grass, requires its own specialized treatment. Knowing your enemy is the biggest factor in success.
Decide between ready-to-use and concentrate
Ready-to-use bottles with a wand are perfect for spot-treating small patches, while liquid concentrates you mix yourself cover big lawns more economically. Consider your yard size and how much spraying you plan to do this season before choosing your format.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Format | Coverage | Rainfast | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpeedZone EW★ Best Overall | Fast-acting broadleaf control | Concentrate | — | 3 hours | Amazon |
| Atticus Empero Q-PakNutgrass Pro | Nutsedge elimination | Granular packs | 2,000 sq ft | — | Amazon |
| Ortho WeedClearEasiest Apply | Easy spot treatment | Ready-to-use | — | — | Amazon |
| Bonide Chickweed Clover & Oxalis Killer | Clover and oxalis control | Ready-to-use | — | — | Amazon |
| Spectracide Large Plot | Large lawn treatment | Concentrate | 32,000 sq ft | 6 hours | Amazon |
| Whitetail Institute Arrest Max | Food plot grass control | Spray | Up to 4 acres | 1-3 hours | Amazon |
| Nufarm Change Up | Broadleaf weed variety | Concentrate | — | — | Amazon |
| PBI/Gordon Trimec | Cool-season grass care | Concentrate | 32,000-64,000 sq ft | — | Amazon |
| Primesource Quinclorac Select | Crabgrass and grassy weeds | Concentrate | 500 sq ft | — | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. SpeedZone EW Lawn Weed Killer
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 250+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The crowd-pleaser that shows visible effects within hours and reseeds in as little as 7 days.
For a lawn full of white clover, dandelion, and ground ivy, this is the one owners point to first. SpeedZone EW controls 90+ listed weeds including goosegrass and nimblewill, and the cool-weather performance means you are not stuck waiting for a heat wave to treat. The effectiveness is the thing everyone raves about — it is the most-discussed trait by a wide margin.
The active ingredients are 2,4-D, dicamba, carfentrazone-ethyl, and mecoprop-p, a combination built for serious broadleaf knockdown. It is labeled for Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, Bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass, so it covers most home lawns. The trade-off is that it is a concentrate — a 20-fluid-ounce bottle that you mix with 0.5 to 1 gallon of water per 1,000 square feet, so it is not grab-and-go.
As buyers report: “Killed everything but the grass!” on a 13,000-square-foot lawn sprayed with a mower-mounted boom, with nearly all weeds dead in a week. The few survivors pulled by hand in about 10 minutes. Just do not overspray — repeated hits on the same weed can burn the grass, so follow the instructions and wait.
Fast payoff: Rainfast in as little as 3 hours and visible results within hours, so weather timing is forgiving.
The learning curve: You must dilute and measure yourself, and overspraying can singe the lawn.
Reach for this if: You want fast, broad-spectrum control and are comfortable mixing your own spray.
Look elsewhere if: You want a ready-to-use bottle for quick spot treatment.
2. Atticus Empero Q-Pak Nutsedge Killer (2 Pack)
The nutsedge specialist with 5% halosulfuron-methyl that travels down to the root tubers.
Nutsedge acts like grass but shrugs off most standard weed killers — which is why this pick exists. Empero Q-Pak carries halosulfuron-methyl, the active ingredient pros trust most for this stubborn weed, and it moves down to the root system tubers for a complete top-to-bottom kill. The effectiveness is what wins people over, with owners routinely reporting yellowing within a day.
The standout feature is the pre-measured convenience: each packet comes pre-mixed with a surfactant (a spreader that helps the spray stick), so you just add one packet to a gallon of water. As owners mention: “It started turning the nutgrass yellow in 24 hours” without harming the Bermuda grass around it. This is gentle on most established warm- or cool-season turf, including bluegrass, fescue, Bermudagrass, and zoysia.
The catch is patience. This is not a one-and-done product — tough, established nutsedge may take multiple applications a couple of weeks apart before the tubers die. Pets and people can re-enter once the spray dries, which is a nice bonus for busy yards.
Specialist precision: Targets nutsedge specifically without collateral damage to your lawn.
Speed trade-off: Works slowly compared to non-selective options, so expectations matter.
Grab this for: Yards where nutsedge is the main invader and you want low-effort mixing.
Think twice if: You need one product for every weed type in your lawn.
3. Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Use with Comfort Wand
The trigger-free, battery-powered wand that makes weekly spot treatment genuinely painless.
If the thought of mixing chemicals makes you hesitate, this ready-to-use 1.33-gallon bottle removes the whole chore. The included battery-powered Comfort Wand lets you target weeds with a squeeze instead of a trigger — no measuring, no spraying yourself — and the ease of use is the trait owners praise most. It is built for Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass.
This one kills crabgrass, dandelion, clover, chickweed, and creeping charlie down to the root with one application when weeds are young and actively growing. As customers note: “Takes a while but works as indicated,” even when the high was above 90 degrees at application. The consensus is that it is slow — weeks to a month — but safe for mixed grass and effective on thistle and prickly weeds.
The honest trade-off is patience and persistence. Hard-to-kill invasives may need two or more sprays, and the effectiveness gets mixed feedback because some weeds simply need a second pass. It is the pick for people who want a grab-and-go solution, not a science project.
Why owners choose it
- No mixing required — spray straight from the bottle
- Battery wand allows precise, trigger-free targeting
- Safe for mixed grass lawns when used as directed
Where it tests patience
- Slow-acting compared to concentrates — expect weeks
- Some tough weeds need multiple applications
Best for: First-time users who want the simplest possible spot treatment.
skip it if: You have a huge lawn and want maximum coverage per dollar.
4. Bonide Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer
The big-bottle workhorse that knocks out clover, oxalis, and 100+ other broadleaf weeds.
For lawns overrun with clover and oxalis, this ready-to-use 128-ounce spray is the value play. It controls more than 100 tough weeds including alder, aster, nettle, thistle, and yarrow, and when used as directed it kills broadleaf weeds roots and all without harming lawn grasses. The effectiveness is the most-praised trait, with dandelions dying in one treatment and clover browning in three days.
The active ingredients are dicamba, herbicide, and triclopyr, a blend aimed at the most persistent lawn invaders. Reviewers point out great-looking lawns after treatment, but the recurring gripe is the spray attachment — the supplied applicator is the weak point, with some units arriving missing nozzles. Most owners recommend transferring it to a pump sprayer for larger lawns.
Temperature matters here: spray when weeds are actively growing and the temperature is below 90 degrees F, and keep the air calm to avoid drift onto flowers and vegetables. The product arrives ready to use — just shake well and apply.
What sells it
- Controls 100+ weeds including thistle and yarrow
- Kills roots without harming lawn grass
- Nearly odorless, clear formula
What to watch
- Stock spray attachment is a known weak point
- Not effective on crabgrass
Reach for this if: You have clover or oxalis patches and want a ready-to-use gallon.
Look elsewhere if: You are fighting grassy weeds like crabgrass, which this will not touch.
5. Spectracide Large Plot Weed Stop for Lawns Concentrate
The one-gallon concentrate that treats up to 32,000 square feet and goes rainproof in just 6 hours.
When your lawn is measured in acres, not patches, this concentrate is the coverage king. The 1-gallon bottle treats up to 32,000 square feet of Northern grasses or 42,500 square feet of Southern grasses, killing more than 200 weed types down to the root. The effectiveness is the top-praised trait, with owners noting it outperforms other brands on all types of weeds.
The formula kills dandelion, chickweed, and clover without harming the lawn when used as directed. As shoppers say on a centipede grass lawn: “Did not hurt the centipede grass. No more weeds especially dandelions.” The rainproof window is a standout — rainfall or watering 6 hours after application will not wash away the effectiveness, giving you a wide application window.
The honest note is that some tough weeds like foxtails may need a third application, and results in hours is optimistic for the hard cases. Mix it yourself with a sprayer, and you get big coverage at a sensible price per square foot compared to ready-to-use bottles.
Huge reach: One bottle stretches across 32,000 square feet of Northern turf.
Persistence needed: Foxtails and fuzzy rosettes may require multiple passes.
Choose this for: Large lawns where coverage per dollar is the deciding factor.
Pass on it if: You want quick spot treatment without any mixing.
6. Whitetail Institute Arrest Max Selective Grass Control Herbicide
The grass-killer designed for clover and alfalfa food plots where your lawn is the forage.
This is the specialist for a very different scenario: protecting food plots. Arrest Max is specifically developed to control a broad range of annual and perennial grasses while staying safe for whitetail institute perennial forages and any other clover or alfalfa plantings. The safety is what owners appreciate most — it spares the clover completely.
It is a 16-fluid-ounce spray covering up to 4 acres depending on your mix, and it stunts grass growth immediately so the clover can outgrow it. The new chemistry is more effective on a broader group of grasses, though the action is slow — expect yellowing and browning to take weeks. One owner mixed 1 oz per gallon with 2 oz of crop oil and saw grass fully killed at 13 days with clover unaffected.
The trade-off is that it is not a lawn product and the price per pint is high. Bermuda and tall fescue may need retreatment, and it works best when you mow the plot to about 4 inches first. If your goal is a lush clover field, not a turf lawn, this is the right tool.
Forage-friendly: Eliminates competing grasses without harming clover or alfalfa.
Patience required: Takes weeks to show full results, and some grasses need a second pass.
Get this if: You manage food plots and need grass control that leaves forage intact.
pass on it if: You are treating a standard residential lawn.
7. Nufarm Change Up Premium Selective Herbicide
The premium concentrate with a turf tolerance list that includes St. Augustinegrass and Bahiagrass.
What sets Change Up apart is its broad turfgrass tolerance — it is labeled for cool- and warm-season turf including Bahiagrass, Creeping bentgrass, Bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Ryegrass, Fescue, Carpetgrass, Centipedegrass, Zoysiagrass, and St. Augustinegrass. That list covers nearly every American lawn, making it a safe bet if you are unsure of your grass type. It delivers excellent control of more than 200 broadleaf weeds including dandelion, plantain, oxalis, chickweed, and thistles.
The active ingredients are MCPA at 51.05%, fluroxypyr at 6.0%, and dicamba at 4.17%, a premium blend for hard-to-control species. Use rates run from 0.46 oz to 1.1 oz per 1,000 square feet, and the 32-ounce bottle goes a long way. Owners have seen clover gone in a little over a week without any lawn damage.
The honest caution: do not apply this to a freshly cut lawn, because it needs leaf surface to work down to the roots. As one buyer put it, you will see where you missed because those plants stay green. It is a concentrate, so you will need your own sprayer.
Versatile coverage: Works across both cool- and warm-season grasses, including St. Augustine.
Application nuance: Avoid freshly cut grass, and expect a week or more for full results.
Best for: Homeowners with a wide mix of turf types or hard-to-identify grass.
Consider alternatives if: You need a ready-to-use wand for quick jobs.
8. PBI/GORDON Trimec Lawn Weed Killer
The old-school cool-season favorite that has earned generations of loyal buyers.
Trimec is the classic formula for cool-season grasses, and its 619 ratings with a 4.5-star average reflect decades of trust. This one-gallon concentrate covers an enormous 32,000 to 64,000 square feet, making it a serious value for larger Northern lawns. The effectiveness is what owners praise most, with one buyer calling it the best weed killer they have used in their life.
The formula handles creeping charlie in 2-3 days and Virginia buttonweed in 2 weeks, and buyers report healthy turf with only yellow patches from the dead weeds. It is safe for cool-season grass and requires no assembly — just mix and spray. One buyer applied 16 oz per 3,000 square feet at 83°F and got excellent results.
The honest note is that tough weed infestations may need a stronger mix than the label suggests, with some owners doubling or tripling the concentration for really stubborn growth. It is also specifically for cool-season grasses, so warm-season lawn owners should look elsewhere.
Proven track record: A trusted formula for creeping charlie and buttonweed on cool-season turf.
Northern focus: Built for cool-season grasses, not warm-season lawns.
Reach for it if: You have a cool-season lawn and want maximum coverage from one gallon.
Look elsewhere if: You grow warm-season grass like St. Augustine or Bermudagrass.
9. Primesource Quinclorac 1.5L Select Liquid Crabgrass Killer
The post-emergent specialist that turns mature crabgrass brown in under a week.
Most broadleaf weed killers do nothing to crabgrass, but this one exists for exactly that fight. With quinclorac at 18.92% as the active ingredient, it is a selective, post-emergent herbicide for many turf types that controls crabgrass (large and smooth), foxtail, kikuyugrass, signalgrass, and torpedograss. The effectiveness is the top-praised trait, with owners reporting crabgrass dying in 3 days and completely shriveled in under a week.
This is a 64-fluid-ounce concentrate that also handles a surprising list of broadleaf weeds including clover, dandelion, dollarweed, and morningglory. The key to success is mixing it with a surfactant (a spreader-sticker that helps the chemical cling to the waxy leaves of grassy weeds). One owner mixed 4 oz with 2 gallons of water and Dawn soap, spot sprayed, and saw lawn grass completely untouched.
The premium price is the real trade-off, and there is a rare risk of discoloration on sensitive turf like Zoysia. The coverage is listed at 500 square feet, so this is best for targeted treatments rather than whole-lawn blanket spraying. Overseeding is possible 7-10 days after application, which is a nice bonus for fall recovery.
The winning hand
- Kills mature crabgrass and foxtail that resist other products
- Also controls clover, dandelion, and dollarweed
- Overseeding possible within 7-10 days
What to weigh
- Premium price per bottle
- Rare discoloration risk on sensitive turf like Zoysia
Buy this for: A crabgrass or foxtail infestation that standard broadleaf killers cannot touch.
it’s not for you if: Your problem is purely dandelions and clover — a cheaper broadleaf mix will do.
Understanding the Specs
Active Ingredients
The chemical compounds that do the killing. 2,4-D and dicamba target broadleaf weeds, while quinclorac and halosulfuron-methyl are built for grassy weeds like crabgrass and nutsedge. Check the label to match the active ingredient to your specific weed problem.
Rainfast Window
This is how long after spraying you need dry weather before rain will not wash away the product. A shorter rainfast window like 3 hours means more flexibility, while 6 hours gives you a wider margin. Always check the forecast before applying.
FAQ
What is the difference between selective and non-selective herbicide?
How long does it take for a selective herbicide to show results?
Will a selective herbicide kill crabgrass?
Can I reseed after using a selective herbicide?
What does rainfast mean and why does it matter?
Is it safe to use on St. Augustinegrass?
Why is my nutsedge not dying from regular weed killer?
Should I use a ready-to-use spray or a concentrate?
What is the best temperature to apply a selective herbicide?
Can I use a food plot herbicide on my regular lawn?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the selective herbicide for grass winner is the SpeedZone EW because it combines fast action, cool-weather performance, and a broad weed list with the crowd’s backing. If you want easy spot treatment, grab the Ortho WeedClear. And for a crabgrass invasion, the Primesource Quinclorac is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gardening Beyond earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.