How to Kill Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) in Tall Fescue Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) in Tall Fescue without damaging your turf, apply Tenacity (Mesotrione 40%), SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer (2,4-D 28.57%, Mecoprop-p 5.88%, Dicamba 1.71%, Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.62%) when air temperatures are between 55°F and 85°F.
Buckhorn is slightly more tolerant of 2,4-D than Broadleaf Plantain, so adding Triclopyr or Fluroxypyr ensures complete root kill without regrowth.
1. Labeled Safe Herbicides That Kill Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) in Tall Fescue
| Recommended Product | Active Ingredient & Group | Application Temp (°F) | Surfactant & Mixing Protocol | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenacity EPA Reg. 100-1267 |
Mesotrione 40% Group 27 (HPPD Inhibitor) |
55°F – 85°F Rainfast: 6h |
Always apply with Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of water for post-emergent applications. Causes temporary white bleaching on susceptible weeds and turf tips. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer EPA Reg. 2217-833 |
2,4-D 28.57%, Mecoprop-p 5.88%, Dicamba 1.71%, Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.62% Group 4 + Group 14 (Synthetic Auxins + PPO Inhibitor) |
50°F – 85°F Rainfast: 3h |
Do NOT add surfactant. Adding NIS or MSO increases ester volatility and causes severe contact burn on desirable cool-season turf. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| TZone SE EPA Reg. 2217-920 |
Triclopyr 7.72%, 2,4-D 29.36%, Dicamba 2.22%, Sulfentrazone 0.66% Group 4 + Group 14 (Pyridine Auxin + Phenoxy + PPO Inhibitor) |
50°F – 80°F Rainfast: 3h |
Do NOT mix with surfactant when temperatures exceed 75°F. In cool spring or fall conditions (55°F–70°F), 0.5 tsp NIS per gallon improves waxy leaf penetration on Wild Violet. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
2. What NOT to Spray on Tall Fescue When Treating Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain)
Warning: Common Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) Killers That Damage Tall Fescue
Many retail herbicides advertised for Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) are formulated for different turf zones and will severely injure Tall Fescue:
- AVOID Celsius WG (Thiencarbazone-methyl 8.7%, Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium 1.9%, Dicamba 57.4%): Rated 'avoid' on Tall Fescue — high risk of turf phytotoxicity or stunting.
3. Optimal Seasonal Timing & Temperature Thresholds
Autumn is the optimum spray window when plants translocate systemic chemicals to deep taproots.
Treat before flower stems mature and drop seed in mid-to-late summer.
4. Diagnostic Checklist: Confirm It Is Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) Before Spraying
- Long, narrow, lanceolate leaves arranged in a rosette with distinct parallel ribs
- Small clusters of fine hairs at the base of the leaf petiole
- Thick, short cylindrical flower heads sitting atop tall, grooved stalks
Not 100% sure? Use our AI Photo Weed Scanner or review the full Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) Botanical Profile.