The Best Spurge Weed Killers That Won't Kill Your Grass
Spurge weeds are a common nemesis for lawn enthusiasts, known for their rapid spread and ability to take over even the healthiest lawns. These stubborn broadleaf weeds thrive in warm, sunny conditions and can quickly dominate thin or stressed turf, creating an unsightly and uneven lawn. While it might be tempting to grab the nearest herbicide, many products can harm your grass along with the weeds, leaving you with more problems than you started with.
The good news? There are effective spurge weed killers designed specifically to target weeds like spurge while leaving your grass unharmed. In this guide, we’ll explore the best spurge weed killers that protect your lawn, providing tips on selecting the right product, applying it effectively, and preventing spurge from making a comeback.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to spurge without sacrificing your grass, read on to discover the top solutions for a weed-free, healthy lawn.
The Types of Spurge You Might Find in Your Lawn
Several types of spurge may appear in your lawn, each with distinct characteristics. The most common types of spurge found in lawns include:
Spotted Spurge (Euphorbia maculata)
This is one of the most common types of spurge in lawns. It typically appears as a low-growing, spreading weed with reddish spots on its leaves. Spotted spurge thrives in hot, dry conditions and often grows in thin, stressed areas of the lawn.
Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia prostrata)
Similar to spotted spurge, prostrate spurge forms a low mat that spreads along the ground. The leaves are oval-shaped and have a distinct reddish-purple tint. It prefers full sun and can be particularly troublesome in sandy or clay soils.
Virginia Spurge (Euphorbia corollata)
This species is a perennial, which is less common in lawns but may be found in certain regions. Virginia spurge has a more upright growth habit and can reach higher heights compared to other types of spurge. It has small, white flowers and grows well in well-drained soils.
Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias)
A less common variety, cypress spurge has thin, needle-like leaves that resemble cypress trees and yellow-green flowers. It's a perennial typically found in dry, rocky areas but can occasionally invade lawns, particularly in regions with poor soil conditions.
Each of these spurge types can be invasive and difficult to remove without the right approach. They often require selective herbicide treatments or careful lawn management to prevent their spread.
Related: What Types of Weeds Look Like Grass?
What Makes Spurge So Persistent?
Spurge weeds are a formidable opponent in the world of lawn care. Characterized by their low-growing habit and sprawling stems, these weeds thrive in warm weather and are notorious for quickly colonizing weak or bare areas in your lawn.
What makes spurge so persistent? Here are some key factors:
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Rapid growth and prolific seeding
Spurge is a fast grower, and its ability to produce seeds in large quantities only adds to the problem. A single spurge plant can produce thousands of seeds, which can germinate quickly in favorable conditions. Worse yet, these seeds remain viable in the soil for several years, waiting for the opportunity to sprout. -
Tolerance to mowing
Unlike many weeds, spurge hugs the ground, making it resistant to damage from mowing. Its low profile allows it to survive even in frequently mowed lawns, outcompeting grass and spreading unchecked. -
Preference for stressful conditions
Spurge thrives where grass struggles. Lawns that are thin, poorly fertilized, or exposed to heat and drought stress create the perfect environment for spurge to take over. Its resilience in tough conditions makes it a particularly troublesome weed. -
Allergenic sap
Spurge contains a milky sap that can irritate the skin, making manual removal unpleasant and impractical for many homeowners.
These characteristics make spurge a tenacious weed that requires targeted strategies for control. Left unchecked, spurge can choke out your grass, creating an uneven, patchy lawn that is difficult to restore.
Related: The Best Four Products for Killing Weeds Without Killing Grass
Top Spurge Weed Killers That Protect Your Lawn
When dealing with spurge weed control, it’s essential to choose a spurge weed killer that effectively targets the weed without harming your grass. Here are some of the best options:
1. Celsius WG Herbicide — Post-Emergent Water Soluble Granule for Warm-Season Turf
Celsius WG is highly effective at tackling spurge weeds, including both spotted and prostrate spurge, which can be persistent and difficult to control. As a post-emergent herbicide, Celsius WG targets these weeds after they've emerged, making it a great option for dealing with existing spurge infestations in your lawn. Its formulation, which includes the active ingredients dicamba, iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, and thiencarbazone-methyl, ensures it works across a broad spectrum of tough weeds without harming your grass when used as directed.
Celsius WG is specifically designed for use on warm-season lawns, making it an excellent choice for grass types like Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Centipede. It is not suitable for cool-season grasses, so it’s important to ensure you have the right type of lawn before applying. To apply, you mix the wettable granules with water to create a liquid spray, which can be applied using a backpack sprayer.
For optimal effectiveness, especially in warmer weather, it’s recommended to use a non-ionic surfactant when applying Celsius WG, particularly when temperatures are below 90°F. This helps improve the herbicide’s ability to stick to the leaves of the weeds, ensuring thorough coverage and better control of spurge and other tough weeds.
2. Triad Select™ — Post-Emergent Liquid Weed Killer
Triad Select™ Herbicide is a powerful tool for tackling spurge weeds, including both spotted and prostrate spurge. This herbicide blends three effective weed killers — Dicamba, 2,4D, and MCPA — to control a wide range of broadleaf weeds, making it an excellent choice for homeowners battling spurge in their lawns. Triad Select is a professional-grade product offering higher concentrations of active ingredients than many store-bought options. This makes it significantly more effective at eliminating tough weeds like spurge without harming your grass when used as directed. It can be used on most warm and cool-season grasses but should not be used on Centipede or St.Augustine grass.
Visible results are typically seen within 10 to 14 days, providing fast relief from spurge infestations. Triad Select is safe for most warm and cool-season lawns, ensuring your grass remains healthy while the weeds are eradicated. It is particularly effective in treating common broadleaf weeds such as dandelions, clover, chickweed, wild onion, and plantain, as well as spurge.
For application, it is recommended to use a battery-powered 4-gallon sprayer with a TeeJet foliar spray tip to ensure even coverage. Avoid using a hose-end sprayer. Additionally, when temperatures exceed 90°F, it's best to apply Triad Select in the evening, when temperatures drop below 90°F and opt for spot spraying instead of blanket spraying to prevent any potential damage to your lawn. Triad Select is an excellent choice for tackling spurge while keeping your lawn safe and looking great.
3. Dimension .15% Pre-Emergent Herbicide with Fertilizer 0-0-7
Dimension Pre-Emergent Herbicide with Fertilizer 0-0-7 is an excellent choice for preventing spurge weeds in your lawn before they even have a chance to sprout. This granular weed and feed product contains the active ingredient dithiopyr, which effectively prevents the germination of a wide range of tough weeds, including spurge, crabgrass, chickweed, and dandelions. It works by creating a barrier in the soil that stops weed seeds from sprouting, making it ideal for pre-emergent weed control. Dimension is especially effective in both spring and fall when applied correctly, providing up to four months of protection.
While Dimension is great for preventing weeds, it is not suitable if you are seeding or overseeding your lawn, as it can also prevent desirable grass seed from germinating. It's safe for use on both warm- and cool-season grasses, including popular varieties like Bermuda, Zoysia, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Ryegrass.
To apply, simply use a broadcast spreader to evenly distribute the granules over your lawn, making it easy to protect large areas without much effort. For optimal results, apply Dimension when soil temperatures are between 50°F and 70°F, which is typically in the early spring or fall. This makes it a perfect addition to any lawn care strategy, especially if you're looking for an effective way to prevent spurge and other difficult weeds.
4. Specticle FLO Pre-Emergent Herbicide for Warm-Season Grasses
Specticle FLO is an exceptional pre-emergent herbicide designed specifically for warm-season grasses, making it an excellent option for tackling spurge weeds, including spotted spurge. This liquid formulation uses the active ingredient indaziflam which provides long-lasting, broad-spectrum control of more than 60 broadleaf and grassy weeds, including Poa annua, crabgrass, and various troublesome weeds like spurge. Its ability to control both grassy and broadleaf weeds for over six months makes it a powerful choice for preventing weed growth throughout the year.
Specticle FLO is especially effective on warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Bahiagrass. It works by creating a barrier in the soil that prevents the germination of weeds, including spurge, before they can take root. To achieve maximum effectiveness, the product requires rainfall or irrigation to activate the herbicide and ensure proper soil penetration before weed seeds begin to germinate. Specticle FLO is best applied in late summer or early fall, with irrigation or rainfall following the application to activate the product.
For application, a battery-powered 4-gallon sprayer with a large droplet nozzle is recommended to ensure even coverage. Specticle FLO is safe for use on warm-season lawns but should not be applied to cool-season grasses. Its superior pre-emergence control makes it an ideal solution for maintaining a weed-free lawn while preventing the spread of spurge and other stubborn weeds.
5. Prodiamine 65 WDG — Pre-Emergent Herbicide, Safe for Warm and Cool-Season Lawns
Prodiamine 65 WDG is an effective pre-emergent herbicide that provides broad-spectrum control of weeds, including spurge. As a wettable granule (WG), Prodiamine is mixed with water and applied as a liquid, making it ideal for large lawns where liquid applications are preferred. This product is particularly useful for preventing crabgrass, annual bluegrass, and a variety of other broadleaf and grassy weeds, including prostrate spurge, before they can germinate.
Prodiamine 65 WDG is highly versatile, offering both spring and fall application options to provide season-long control of weeds. It is safe for use on both warm- and cool-season grasses, making it a suitable choice for a wide range of lawn types. The active ingredient, prodiamine, is effective at low application rates, typically requiring only a fraction of the amount needed compared to other pre-emergent herbicides. Its low solubility and volatility ensure that it stays within the weed germination zone, providing long-lasting protection.
With one 5 lb jug covering up to 174,240 square feet, Prodiamine 65 WDG is ideal for larger lawns. It can be mixed with fertilizers and iron solutions for added convenience, and it’s non-staining, so it won’t leave unsightly marks on your lawn. For the best results, Prodiamine should be applied when soil temperatures are between 50°F and 70°F, creating an effective barrier that will stop spurge and other weeds from taking root throughout the season.
When to Apply Spurge Weed Killers for Maximum Effect
Timing is crucial when using a spurge weed killer. For best results:
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Pre-emergent applications: Use products like Dimension or Prodiamine before spurge seeds germinate in early spring. This creates a protective barrier in the soil, preventing new weeds from sprouting.
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Post-emergent applications: For actively growing spurge, apply selective herbicides like Celsius or Triad during the warm months when spurge is most vulnerable.
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Reapplication: Persistent weeds may require follow-up treatments. Always follow the product’s label instructions for safe and effective use.
Related: The Best Broadleaf Weed Killers for Your Lawn
Tips to Prevent Spurge from Returning
While spurge herbicides are effective, long-term control requires a proactive approach. Here’s how to keep your lawn free of spurge and other creeping lawn weeds:
1. Maintain a Dense Lawn
Thick, healthy grass leaves no room for weeds like spurge to establish. Fertilize appropriately, mow at the correct height, and water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth.
2. Use Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Apply a pre-emergent spurge weed killer in early spring to prevent seeds from germinating. This is particularly important for lawns with a history of spurge infestations.
3. Monitor and Spot-Treat Early
Regularly inspect your lawn for early signs of spurge. Spot-treat with a selective herbicide for spurge as soon as you notice it to prevent widespread growth.
4. Avoid Stressing Your Lawn
Spurge thrives in stressed lawns. Reduce compaction, address drainage issues, and ensure your lawn receives adequate sunlight and nutrients.
Say Goodbye to Spurge: The Safe Way to Keep Your Lawn Weed-Free
Spurge weeds like spotted spurge can be a nightmare for lawn owners, but with the right approach, you can eliminate them without harming your grass. By choosing the right spurge weed killer, applying it effectively, and maintaining a healthy lawn, you can keep spurge and other creeping lawn weeds at bay.
Ready to take control of your lawn? Explore our range of herbicides and lawn care products and enjoy a lush, weed-free lawn all season long!
Ron Henry
Ron Henry is the founder of Golf Course Lawn, which is dedicated to helping homeowners achieve golf course-quality lawns. He holds a certificate in Sports Turfgrass Management from the University of Georgia. With expert knowledge in turf care, fertilization, and weed control, he shares practical tips and product recommendations to create lush, healthy lawns.