How to Kill Virginia Buttonweed in Bermudagrass Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Virginia Buttonweed 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.
Virginia buttonweed is among the most difficult southern lawn weeds. Repeated applications of Celsius WG prevent button fruit from producing viable seeds.
1. Labeled Safe Herbicides That Kill Virginia Buttonweed 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 Virginia Buttonweed
Warning: Common Virginia Buttonweed Killers That Damage Bermudagrass
Many retail herbicides advertised for Virginia Buttonweed 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.
3. Optimal Seasonal Timing & Temperature Thresholds
Begin spraying in spring when seedlings emerge from roots, with follow-up treatments in mid-summer.
Mowing spreads stem fragments that root into new plants; bag clippings in heavily infested areas.
4. Diagnostic Checklist: Confirm It Is Virginia Buttonweed Before Spraying
- Opposite, thick, dark green leaves often mottled with a bright yellow viral ring-spot pattern
- Prostrate, hairy, four-angled stems that root vigorously at nodes
- Small, four-lobed star-shaped white flowers followed by green button-like ridged fruit
Not 100% sure? Use our AI Photo Weed Scanner or review the full Virginia Buttonweed Botanical Profile.