Best Dandelion Killer for Lawns (That Won’t Kill Your Grass)

Dandelions are one of the most common weeds in North America, and they can be a lot more difficult to kill than other lawn-ruining plants. They’re pesky weeds that can quickly grow and take over your lawn.

There are several different kinds of weed killers out there, but not all of them work the same way. If you’re looking for the best dandelion killer for your lawn, you need to avoid strong weed killers that will also destroy the grass.

Here you’ll find rankings and reviews for the best dandelion killers that won’t damage your grass and will leave you with a weed-free, beautiful lawn. You can also see our list of the best weed killers for lawns.

How Do Dandelions Survive?

The climatic conditions that help the dandelion survive are usually direct sunlight, but at times, dry conditions could be very favorable to them. Dandelion has a strong taproot that helps it survive in almost any kind of condition. Once it establishes its roots, it becomes very difficult to get rid of it.

Dandelion roots reach up to 6-18 inches into the soil, and eventually, they can reach up to 10-15 feet if you let them grow. When the root gets this deep, it becomes tough to pull the plants out. 

Dandelion plants will bloom with yellow flowers, which will later turn into puffballs that look like thin hairs. These puffballs are where it all begins. They contain hundreds of seeds within. The seeds get carried by wind and start germinating once they fall on the ground.

They are very problematic weeds for most gardeners and homeowners in the country. It’s an aggressive grower. Once you have seen it grow, you’ll have to get rid of this weed before it impacts the other plants on your lawn or garden.

How to Get Rid of the Mighty Dandelion

You can remove weeds by mowing usually, but mowing doesn’t work when we come to dandelions. It might help temporarily to get rid of them from the surface, but underneath they’d wait to thrive again. 

The best way to get rid of them has been with specially made dandelion killers. These are exclusively made to get rid of the problematic dandelions that are possibly taking over everything. Killing them with the right chemicals and herbicides is the only way to keep these weeds out entirely.

We made a list of the top dandelion killers that work great without causing any damage to the surrounding grass. If you’re trying to find out which one’s the best, you’ll get the answer here.

Image	Product	Our Rating	Price
Ready to Spray	Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns Ready to spray. Simply attach it to your hose. Kills dandelion, nutsedge, kyllinga, and more than 50 other tough weeds. For northern and southern turf grasses. Kills weeds without harming the lawn. Rainproof in just 2 hours.	9.5	Check Price on Amazon
Concentrate	Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER Low, economical use rate of 1 to 4 pints per acre (saves money). Controls many broadleaf weeds & woody plants without killing grass. For use in pastures & rangeland, lawns, golf courses, cemeteries, parks,& similar ornamental turf. Comes as a concentrate. Apply as a coarse low-pressure spray.	9.5	Check Price on Amazon
	Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action 3-in-1 formula that kills weeds, prevents crabgrass, and feeds grass for thick, healthy lawns. Controls existing weeds, including dandelion, clover, dollarweed, ground ivy, chickweed, plantain, henbit, and English daisy. Prevents other listed grassy weeds from invading your lawn. For use on Bahiagrass, Centipedegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Bermudagrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, and Zoysiagrass. Apply in early spring when dandelions are actively growing.	9.4	Check Price on Amazon

The Best Dandelion Killers

1. Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns

The Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns is a formula that is very powerful to eradicate the dandelions from your garden. Even if you find the dandelions establish a strong force, this is what you need to get right away.
This weed killer is capable of killing over 50 distinct weeds (including dandelion), and it promises to not damage the lawn.

Most people are skeptical about weed killers that won’t kill plants and grass, but thankfully Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns is a product you can rely on. It’s priced affordably and proven to be an effective dandelion killer.

One of the reasons we love this product is because it’s very easy to use. The container attaches to the end of your hose and you’ll simply spray the area where the weeds are located. The water dilutes the weed killer by the appropriate amount, so there’s really no room for error.

2. 2, 4-D Amine Weed Killer 

2,4-D Amine is an economical purchase that’s worth the money because it’s highly concentrated and very effective.

This weed killer works wonderfully to stop the dandelions and other woody plants. The weed killer works on dandelions that grow on any kind of land. Either pastures, golf courses, or yards. This spray will put an end to the mighty weed that is troublesome. 

You will save a lot when you get this weed killer. You can mix only 2 to 3 tablespoons in 3 to 5 gallons of water. This can cover up to 1,000 square feet. 

This weed killer includes 32 oz of 2,4-D acid equivalent compounds. These are also low volatile Amine, ensuring safety. This dandelion killer doesn’t affect the grass or the other plants in the yard.

You must remember that it’s a post-emergent weed killer, so even though your dandelion is growing, it will kill the growth when you spray this Amine. You will not see the dandelion bloom anymore. 

Amine is a herbicide that works powerfully. You will not regret getting it. The only downside is that it needs to be mixed, so it takes a little more effort than our top-rated product.

3. Ortho Weed B Gon

The Ortho Weed B Gon does a great job of eradicating weeds from your yard. It kills dandelions from the root, helping you retrieve your beautiful lawn.

Dandelions are very troublesome, and their roots grow deep into the soil. The only best way is to stop the root growth, and that will entirely kill the dandelion.

This weed killer can show you the results in as little as one day. You will see immediate results if the weeds are small, while you’ll have to wait at least a day to see its impact on the fully grown weeds.

This weed killer won’t affect the grass of your yard. This package is a refill, which means you’ll need to put it into a sprayer.

4. Fiesta Broadleaf Weed Killer for Lawns

Fiesta Broadleaf Weed Killer for Lawns is also capable of controlling a wide variety of weeds including the mighty dandelion. It’s designed for domestic lawns. If you want to protect your lawn from weeds, you should definitely check this out.

It’s a concentrated solution, so you’ll have to dilute it and spray it on the dandelions. You’ll need to get a garden sprayer for this, preferably a backpack sprayer.

You’ll have to spray directly on the dandelion until it’s soaked and then you can wait for the action.

5. Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action

Scotts is one of the most trusted names in lawn care, and their Turf Builder Triple Action offers a surefire way to get rid of dandelions and many other types of weeds. It’s “triple action” because it kills, prevents, and feeds.

• Kills the weeds that already exist
• Acts as a preemergent to prevent weeds in the future
• Feeds the grass to create a thick, full lawn

Ideally, this product should be applied in the spring during the day with temperatures between 60ᵒ F and 80ᵒ F. It should not be applied to new grass until it has been mowed at least four times. You’ll need a broadcast spreader to use this product.

6. Scotts Turf Builder with Weed Control 

Here’s another reliable product from Scotts that you might want to consider. This one doesn’t require a broadcast spreader. Instead, you’ll attach it to the end of the hose and the water will dilute the concentrate automatically as it’s applied.

Turf Builder with Weed Control will kill dandelions, clover, and many other types of weeds. This is not a preemergent, so you’ll get the best results by spraying when the weeds are actively growing. It also fertilizes the lawn to help the grass grow thicker and nicer (see our reviews of the best fertilizers for lawns).

Tips for Choosing the Right Product

Trying to get your hands on the best dandelion killer is not an easy task. There are numerous dandelion killers in the market. Our list has covered six of the best, and any one of these products would be an excellent choice.

When it comes to buying, you’ll have to consider some features that will help you get the ideal product.

You need to determine what your lawn truly needs. Have a quick look at what factors you should consider before getting a dandelion killer.

1. Powerful Herbicides

If the herbicide is effective, then it will surely eradicate the dandelions from the yard. The effectiveness can be determined by the power of chemical concentration in the product. 

Some of the products take longer to show the results, while some show it in a matter of hours. 

You must choose weatherproof herbicides that work great no matter what the weather is. Only these herbicides are effective. What happens if these weed killers get affected by the sun or the rain? You can no longer count on it to work if the weather will impact the results.

2. Potency

If you get a highly potent product, then you’ll be able to dilute it with water. The concentrated products (like the 2,4-D Amine Weed Killer) provide the best value, although they are not quite as convenient because they require mixing.

You’ll be able to cover larger areas too, which is great for homes with big yards.

3. Form

The herbicides come in a granular form or a liquid form. Both these forms have their own advantages and disadvantages. 

In general, we prefer liquid. Granules can be applied to plants easily, but there is a chance for pets to consume them. If you choose liquid herbicides, their application is not complicated. Either attach it to a hose or use a sprayer.

4. Temperature

Some of the herbicides are effective only in certain temperatures. When it comes to weed killers, a time with good humidity is also ideal. It’s best to choose your herbicide depending upon the current season or temperature. Some herbicides work well despite any weather. 

5. Long-lasting Effect

You must choose a herbicide that can suppress the dandelion nation and avoid its growth over time (all of the products here will work). You’ll need to put an end to the problematic growth of the dandelion. You must invest in a product that leaves a long-lasting impact or else you’ll be applying weed killer frequently.

6. Multipurpose Weed Killers 

Most of the weed killers that were mentioned in the list work well in eradicating other weeds, not only dandelions. 

If your lawn is filled with other weeds, including the dandelion, then it would be helpful to you if you choose a multipurpose weed killer. You can save money by buying different types of products to kill the other weeds.

FAQs

Image	Product	Our Rating	Price
Ready to Spray	Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns Ready to spray. Simply attach it to your hose. Kills dandelion, nutsedge, kyllinga, and more than 50 other tough weeds. For northern and southern turf grasses. Kills weeds without harming the lawn. Rainproof in just 2 hours.	9.5	Check Price on Amazon
Concentrate	Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER Low, economical use rate of 1 to 4 pints per acre (saves money). Controls many broadleaf weeds & woody plants without killing grass. For use in pastures & rangeland, lawns, golf courses, cemeteries, parks,& similar ornamental turf. Comes as a concentrate. Apply as a coarse low-pressure spray.	9.5	Check Price on Amazon
	Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action 3-in-1 formula that kills weeds, prevents crabgrass, and feeds grass for thick, healthy lawns. Controls existing weeds, including dandelion, clover, dollarweed, ground ivy, chickweed, plantain, henbit, and English daisy. Prevents other listed grassy weeds from invading your lawn. For use on Bahiagrass, Centipedegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Bermudagrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, and Zoysiagrass. Apply in early spring when dandelions are actively growing.	9.4	Check Price on Amazon

Conclusion

Getting rid of dandelion is an important task for any home that struggles with this pesky weed. Finding the best dandelion killer is a little challenging. But we’re sure that whatever you choose, by following the right instructions you can succeed in getting rid of the dandelions.

Be alert and start preventing it right from an early stage because if you ignore it, the weeds will grow more wildly. Sometimes you’ll have to sacrifice your garden to get rid of them. 

Remember that to obtain good results you’ll have to follow the instructions of the product.