How to Kill Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) in Zoysiagrass Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) in Zoysiagrass without damaging your turf, apply SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer (2,4-D 28.57%, Mecoprop-p 5.88%, Dicamba 1.71%, Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.62%), TZone SE (Triclopyr 7.72%, 2,4-D 29.36%, Dicamba 2.22%, Sulfentrazone 0.66%) when air temperatures are between 50°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 Zoysiagrass
| Recommended Product | Active Ingredient & Group | Application Temp (°F) | Surfactant & Mixing Protocol | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Celsius WG EPA Reg. 432-1507 |
Thiencarbazone-methyl 8.7%, Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium 1.9%, Dicamba 57.4% Group 2 + Group 4 (ALS Inhibitors + Benzoic Acid Auxin) |
65°F – 95°F Rainfast: 4h |
Apply with Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 1 tsp per gallon of water. Specifically engineered not to stunt warm-season turf during summer heat up to 95°F. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
2. What NOT to Spray on Zoysiagrass When Treating Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain)
Warning: Common Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) Killers That Damage Zoysiagrass
Many retail herbicides advertised for Buckhorn Plantain (Narrowleaf Plantain) are formulated for different turf zones and will severely injure Zoysiagrass:
- AVOID Tenacity (Mesotrione 40%): Rated 'damage_risk' on Zoysiagrass — 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.