Our readers keep the lights on and the coffee maker working hard! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dandelions, clover, ground ivy, and wild violet can turn a uniform lawn into a patchwork of green textures within weeks. The deciding factor in a clean turf is not the number of sprays you apply, but the selective chemistry your choice of herbicide delivers to the broadleaf targets without harming the surrounding grass.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide compares four active-ingredient combinations, application rates of 0.46 to 2.0 ounces per 1,000 square feet, and the speed of visual injury across seven leading formulations to help you match the chemistry to your grass type and weed pressure.
Whether your turf is cool-season Kentucky bluegrass or warm-season Bermuda, selecting the right post emergent herbicide for broadleaf weeds depends on matching active ingredients like mesotrione, triclopyr, and sulfentrazone to the specific weed spectrum in your lawn.
How To Choose The Best Post Emergent Herbicide For Broadleaf Weeds
The most common mistake homeowners make is buying a broad-spectrum herbicide without checking if it is safe on their specific grass species. A product that is safe on tall fescue can torch a St. Augustine lawn. The following three criteria will narrow your selection to the few formulas worth your money.
Active-ingredient blend vs. weed spectrum
Single-ingredient products like straight 2,4-D are cheap but miss tough weeds like wild violet, ground ivy, and Virginia buttonweed. Look for blends that contain at least three active ingredients — typically 2,4-D, dicamba, and a third compound such as triclopyr, sulfentrazone, or fluroxypyr. These four-way combinations (like Triad TZ or Change Up) cover the widest range of broadleaf species in a single application.
Turfgrass tolerance
Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede) are extremely sensitive to certain chemistries. Mesotrione is one of the safer options for St. Augustine (sod only), while products containing MCPA and fluroxypyr — such as Nufarm Change Up — are labeled for the broadest range of both cool- and warm-season turf. Always confirm your grass species appears on the label before mixing.
Speed of visual injury
Herbicides that contain carfentrazone-ethyl, such as SpeedZone EW, produce visible wilting within hours. Formulations relying primarily on triclopyr or mesotrione may take 7 to 14 days for full death. Fast action is valuable for spot treatment but does not always correlate with root kill. Slower-acting products often provide more thorough control of perennial broadleaf weeds.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nufarm Change Up | Premium | 200+ weed species | MCPA 51.05% / fluroxypyr 6.0% | Amazon |
| Select Source Triad TZ | Mid-Range | Tough broadleaf weeds | 4-way (2,4-D/Dicamba/Triclopyr/Sulfentrazone) | Amazon |
| SpeedZone EW | Mid-Range | Fast visual action | Carfentrazone-ethyl / rainfast in 3 hours | Amazon |
| Fertilome Weed Free Zone | Mid-Range | Creeping charlie control | Dicamba-based / 80+ weeds | Amazon |
| Liquid Harvest Mesotrione | Mid-Range | Pre + post on 46 species | 8 oz mesotrione concentrate | Amazon |
| PBI Gordon TZone | Premium | Wild violet / ground ivy | 1 gal covers 16,000 sq ft | Amazon |
| Target 6 Plus (MSMA) | Specialized | Dallisgrass / nutsedge | MSMA 48.3% / 2.5 gal | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Nufarm Change Up
The Nufarm Change Up is a premium selective herbicide formulated with a 51.05% MCPA base combined with fluroxypyr and dicamba. This three-way blend controls more than 200 broadleaf weed species including hard-to-kill targets like oxalis, chickweed, thistles, and plantain. The broad turfgrass tolerance covers both cool-season varieties (Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass) and warm-season types (Bermuda, Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia), making it one of the most versatile formulas for mixed lawns.
Application rates fall between 0.46 and 1.1 ounces per 1,000 square feet, which allows precise dosing depending on weed size and density. Owners report visible clover death within one week and full disappearance around the ten-day mark, with no damage to surrounding warm-season grass. The fluroxypyr component is particularly effective against species that have developed partial resistance to straight 2,4-D applications.
For homeowners managing a lawn with multiple grass varieties or facing a broad weed spectrum that includes thistle and oxalis, Change Up delivers professional-grade coverage without requiring a pesticide applicator license. The bottle’s small size relative to its coverage (32 ounces treats up to 69,000 square feet at the lowest rate) makes it a concentrated, long-lasting investment.
What works
- Controls over 200 broadleaf species in one blend
- Labeled for nearly all cool- and warm-season turfgrasses
- Fast visual response within 24–48 hours on sensitive weeds
What doesn’t
- Higher per-ounce cost compared to mid-range four-way blends
- Requires precise measurement at small application rates
2. Select Source Triad TZ
The Select Source Triad TZ combines 2,4-D, dicamba, triclopyr, and sulfentrazone in a single quart concentrate. This four-way blend targets dandelion, spurge, white clover, plantains, ground ivy, Virginia buttonweed, and wild violet, while also suppressing yellow nutsedge — a significant advantage over three-way formulas. The sulfentrazone component adds a soil-active element that improves control of emerged sedges and certain deep-rooted perennials.
Users who mixed Triad TZ with a non-ionic surfactant observed weed growth cessation within hours and clear leaf curling by the next morning. Full death on clover and dandelion occurs in one to four weeks depending on temperature and application rate. Cool-season grasses like tall fescue showed zero injury even when spurge was completely shriveled within eight hours of spraying.
The quart bottle treats 48 to 96 fluid ounces per acre, making it size-efficient for small- to medium-sized residential lawns. A few buyers reported minor packaging leakage during shipping, but the core chemistry performance reviews remain overwhelmingly positive for its ability to eliminate stubborn weeds that two-way formulas could not touch.
What works
- Four active ingredients cover the widest weed spectrum in its class
- Sulfentrazone provides suppression of yellow nutsedge
- Safe on tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass with visible results in hours
What doesn’t
- Not labeled for St. Augustine or Centipede grass
- Occasional reports of bottle seal failure during transit
3. SpeedZone EW
Gordon’s SpeedZone EW delivers visible weed injury within hours, driven by its carfentrazone-ethyl component — a rapid-contact chemistry that causes leaf desiccation almost immediately on broadleaf weeds. The full formulation includes 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop-p, moving beyond a simple one-hit knockdown to provide systemic root kill over the following days. It is rainfast in as little as three hours, letting you spray close to a weather window without losing efficacy.
The 20-ounce concentrate controls over 90 listed weeds including white clover, dandelion, ground ivy, spurge, and goosegrass. Warm-season grass owners (Bermuda, Zoysia) can apply it without concern, and the reseed interval of only seven days is the shortest among the products reviewed here. Professional lawn-care operators frequently name SpeedZone as their go-to spot treatment because of its speed and the clear visual confirmation it provides within a single afternoon.
A key limitation is that spurge regrowth may occur within two months, and the label warns against exceeding two applications per year. For heavy perennial infestations, you may need to retreat with a slower-acting product like Triad TZ after the SpeedZone knockdown to clean up regrowth from established root systems.
What works
- Visible weed curling and browning within hours of application
- Rainfast in three hours — spray close to forecasted rain
- Seven-day reseed interval is the quickest available
What doesn’t
- Spurge and some perennials may regrow within two months
- No measuring cup included — cap holds approximately 0.2 fluid ounce
4. Fertilome Weed Free Zone
Fertilome Weed Free Zone is a dicamba-based broadleaf herbicide that has developed a strong following specifically for creeping charlie (Glechoma hederacea) control. Homeowners who had zero success with standard 2,4-D products report complete creeping charlie wilt within 24 hours and full death within five days of spraying. It also handles clover, spurge, chickweed, and thistle, making it effective across 80 different broadleaf species.
The 32-ounce bottle is safe on Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda, Bahia, and Zoysia, but the label recommends caution on St. Augustine and Centipede grass. Some users found the recommended mixing ratio too weak for heavy clover infestations and doubled the concentration to achieve full kill. Adding a few drops of dish soap as a surfactant improves leaf adhesion and overall efficacy.
For homeowners whose primary problem is creeping charlie or wild violet, this product is the most targeted solution among the mid-range options. The price per ounce is competitive, though a few buyers note that at standard label rates, you may need to apply twice to get complete control on mature creeping charlie patches.
What works
- The best performer on creeping charlie among all products reviewed
- Safe on Bermuda, Zoysia, Bahia, and Kentucky bluegrass
- Visible injury within hours on sensitive broadleaf species
What doesn’t
- Recommended dosage may be too low for heavy infestations
- Caution required on St. Augustine and Centipede lawns
5. Liquid Harvest Mesotrione
Liquid Harvest Mesotrione is a mesotrione concentrate that functions both as a pre-emergent and a post-emergent selective herbicide. As a post-emergent, it targets 46 broadleaf and grass weed species including crabgrass, clover, chickweed, dandelion, and barnyard grass. The active ingredient inhibits photosynthesis in susceptible plants, distributing through both roots and leaves for systemic control.
One of its strongest advantages is seed-safe application — mesotrione does not prevent new grass seed germination, making it ideal for overseeding projects where you need to clean up weeds without delaying reseeding. Activation requires 0.15 inches of water within 10 days, either from rainfall or irrigation. Owners report complete crabgrass death within 10 days on centipede grass with no damage to the turf, and white foliage bleaching is a characteristic visual sign that the herbicide is working.
Users must be cautious with spray overlap because mesotrione can temporarily bleach or stunt the grass itself if applied too heavily on stressed turf. It is safe on St. Augustine (sod only), tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and centipede, but should not be used on bentgrass, zoysia, or Bermuda during active growth. Mixing with a spray dye indicator helps avoid double-coverage lines.
What works
- Safe to apply before or after overseeding — ideal for renovation projects
- Excellent selective control of crabgrass in centipede and fescue lawns
- Bleaching effect provides clear visual confirmation of activity
What doesn’t
- Bleaches or stunts turf if applied in overlapping swaths
- Slower action — full weed death takes 2 to 3 weeks
- Cannot be used on actively growing Bermuda, zoysia, or bentgrass
6. PBI Gordon TZone SE
PBI Gordon TZone SE is a commercial-grade broadleaf herbicide that targets the toughest weeds including wild violet, ground ivy, and black medic. The gallon container covers up to 16,000 square feet at standard label rates, making it the most cost-effective option for homeowners with large lawns or recurring infestations across multiple acres. The four-way active ingredient blend provides both contact and systemic activity for thorough root kill.
Users who have relied on TZone for multiple seasons describe it as the product the professionals use. It produces visible results on dandelion and clover within 24 to 48 hours, with full death in approximately one week. The concentrated formula requires careful measurement — overapplication on sensitive fine fescues can cause temporary discoloration — but at label rates, it is safe on all major cool-season grasses and most warm-season varieties.
The gallon size makes it ideal for property owners who spray multiple times per season or who manage large turf areas. While the upfront cost is higher, the per-square-foot cost is significantly lower than quart-sized competitors. Long-term users report consistent performance year after year with no resistance development in local weed populations.
What works
- Excellent control of wild violet, ground ivy, and black medic
- Gallon size provides the lowest cost per square foot
- Proven multi-season reliability with no resistance issues reported
What doesn’t
- Large jug may be excessive for small urban lawns
- Overapplication can temporarily discolor fine fescue
7. Target 6 Plus (MSMA)
Target 6 Plus is an MSMA (monosodium acid methanearsonate) herbicide formulated at 48.3% active concentration. MSMA is a specialized organic arsenical compound that targets grassy weeds like dallisgrass, crabgrass, johnsongrass, and nutsedge — broadleaf weeds that most conventional three-way blends fail to control. It is labeled for use on cotton, golf courses, sod farms, and highway rights-of-way, and is one of the few products effective on dallisgrass in Japanese zoysia.
The standard mixing rate is 2 ounces per gallon of water for general applications. Users report that a single application at 1.25 tablespoons per 2 gallons killed all targeted weeds in Kentucky bluegrass lawns, though overuse on Bermuda grass caused temporary dormancy. The 2.5-gallon jug is extremely concentrated — many owners report still using the same bottle purchased four or five years ago for spot treatments.
This product is not a general-purpose broadleaf herbicide. It is for homeowners who have a specific grassy weed (dallisgrass, nutsedge, crabgrass) that has not responded to standard broadleaf formulations. MSMA can cause significant turf injury if mixed incorrectly, so precise measurement with a calibrated measuring device is mandatory.
What works
- Highly effective on dallisgrass, crabgrass, and nutsedge in warm-season turf
- Extreme concentration — a single jug can last multiple seasons
- Fast visual results within 24 to 48 hours on targeted grassy weeds
What doesn’t
- Will cause significant turf injury if mixed at incorrect rates
- Not suitable for general broadleaf weed control
- Restricted in some states due to arsenic content
Hardware & Specs Guide
Active-ingredient concentrations
The most critical number on a herbicide label is the percentage of each active ingredient. A 51.05% MCPA concentrate like Nufarm Change Up requires significantly less product per gallon of water than a 4% 2,4-D formulation. Always check the active concentration before calculating your mixing rate — a smaller bottle with higher percentages often treats more square footage than a larger bottle with diluted chemistry.
Coverage rate per bottle
The advertised coverage in fluid ounces per 1,000 square feet tells you the actual value of the product. A quart (32 oz) that treats 48 to 96 ounces per acre at standard rates will cover roughly 14,000 to 28,000 square feet at the low end. A gallon (128 oz) at the same rate covers 56,000 to 112,000 square feet. Divide the total bottle volume by the per-1,000 rate to get real-world coverage before comparing per-ounce costs.
FAQ
Can I apply post-emergent herbicide before mowing or after mowing?
How long after spraying can children and pets walk on the lawn?
Why do some herbicides require a surfactant to be added to the tank?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best post emergent herbicide for broadleaf weeds winner is the Nufarm Change Up because its 51% MCPA plus fluroxypyr combination controls over 200 weed species across nearly every cool- and warm-season grass type. If you want the fastest visible knockdown with three-hour rainfast reliability, grab the SpeedZone EW. And for specialized control of dallisgrass and nutsedge when broadleaf formulas fail, nothing beats the Target 6 Plus MSMA.