How to Kill Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) in Bermudagrass Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) in Bermudagrass 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%), Celsius WG (Thiencarbazone-methyl 8.7%, Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium 1.9%, Dicamba 57.4%) when air temperatures are between 50°F and 85°F.
Lespedeza develops woody stems in mid-summer that resist 2,4-D. Metsulfuron or Triclopyr effectively overcomes the woody barrier.
1. Labeled Safe Herbicides That Kill Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) in Bermudagrass
| 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 |
| 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 Bermudagrass When Treating Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover)
Warning: Common Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) Killers That Damage Bermudagrass
Many retail herbicides advertised for Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) are formulated for different turf zones and will severely injure Bermudagrass:
- AVOID TZone SE (Triclopyr 7.72%, 2,4-D 29.36%, Dicamba 2.22%, Sulfentrazone 0.66%): Rated 'damage_risk' on Bermudagrass — high risk of turf phytotoxicity or stunting.
- AVOID Hi-Yield Atrazine Weed Killer (Atrazine 40.8%): Rated 'dormant_only' on Bermudagrass — high risk of turf phytotoxicity or stunting.
3. Optimal Seasonal Timing & Temperature Thresholds
Spray in early summer when plants are young and herbaceous before woody stem hardening.
Maintain adequate soil phosphorus and nitrogen to promote dense turf canopy cover.
4. Diagnostic Checklist: Confirm It Is Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) Before Spraying
- Trifoliate leaves with prominent parallel veins that look feather-like (pinnate)
- Dark green prostrate wiry stems that become tough and woody by late summer
- Tiny pink to purple flowers blooming in leaf axils from August to October
Not 100% sure? Use our AI Photo Weed Scanner or review the full Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) Botanical Profile.