Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major): Identification & Selective Herbicide Matrix
Quick Agronomic Summary
A 3-way mix of 2,4-D, Dicamba, and Mecoprop (SpeedZone or Trimec) kills Broadleaf Plantain effectively between 50°F and 85°F.
- Diagnostic Marker 1: Large, oval to egg-shaped, wavy-margined leaves with 3 to 5 prominent parallel veins
- Diagnostic Marker 2: Dense basal rosette hugging the ground tightly
- Diagnostic Marker 3: Erect, leafless flower stalks with dense, cylinder-like spikes of tiny seeds
What herbicide kills Broadleaf Plantain?
A 3-way mix of 2,4-D, Dicamba, and Mecoprop (SpeedZone or Trimec) kills Broadleaf Plantain effectively between 50°F and 85°F.
Broadleaf plantain translocates synthetic auxins rapidly into its fibrous root system. For warm-season lawns like St. Augustine and Centipede, Celsius WG provides safe control.
When is the best time to spray Broadleaf Plantain?
Spray in early fall (September to October) when plants are actively moving carbohydrates to root reserves.
Spring applications work well before flower spikes emerge. Aerating compacted soil prevents plantain re-establishment.
EPA-Registered Herbicides Labeled for Broadleaf Plantain
The table below compares all selective herbicides in our database that control Broadleaf Plantain, including active ingredient groups, application temperature limits (°F), and surfactant requirements.
| Brand Name & EPA Reg. | Active Ingredient & WSSA Group | Temp Window (°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 |
| 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 |
Turfgrass Compatibility Matrix for Broadleaf Plantain Herbicides
Always verify that your chosen herbicide is safe for your specific lawn grass before broadcast spraying:
| Herbicide | KBG | Tall Fescue | Ryegrass | Bermuda | St. Aug | Zoysia | Centipede | Bahia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenacity | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID ACTIVELY GROWING | SOD PRODUCTION ONLY | DAMAGE RISK | SAFE | AVOID |
| SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE |
| TZone SE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | DAMAGE RISK | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | AVOID |
| Celsius WG | AVOID | AVOID | AVOID | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID |
How to Distinguish Broadleaf Plantain from Lookalike Weeds
| Lookalike Species | Key Botanical & Diagnostic Difference |
|---|---|
| Buckhorn Plantain | Buckhorn Plantain has narrow, lance-shaped leaves with ribbed veins, while Broadleaf Plantain has wide, spoon-shaped blades. |