Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum): Identification & Selective Herbicide Matrix
Quick Agronomic Summary
SpeedZone (2,4-D + Carfentrazone) or TZone SE kills Purple Deadnettle quickly in cool conditions (45°F–70°F).
- Diagnostic Marker 1: Upper foliage shaded in a distinct purple to bronze-red hue
- Diagnostic Marker 2: Heart-shaped to triangular leaves attached via slender petioles
- Diagnostic Marker 3: Square, hollow stems with pink-purple two-lipped flowers in early spring
What kills Purple Deadnettle?
SpeedZone (2,4-D + Carfentrazone) or TZone SE kills Purple Deadnettle quickly in cool conditions (45°F–70°F).
Fast-acting PPO inhibitors like Carfentrazone knock down Deadnettle within 24 to 48 hours even during chilly spring mornings.
When should you treat Purple Deadnettle?
Apply post-emergents in February or March before purple flowers produce seeds.
Fall pre-emergent Prodiamine or Dithiopyr provides excellent preventative control.
EPA-Registered Herbicides Labeled for Purple Deadnettle
The table below compares all selective herbicides in our database that control Purple Deadnettle, 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 |
Turfgrass Compatibility Matrix for Purple Deadnettle Herbicides
Always verify that your chosen herbicide is safe for your specific lawn grass before broadcast spraying:
How to Distinguish Purple Deadnettle from Lookalike Weeds
| Lookalike Species | Key Botanical & Diagnostic Difference |
|---|---|
| Henbit | Purple Deadnettle upper leaves have distinct stalks (petioles) and turn purple, while Henbit upper leaves encircle the stem without stalks and stay green. |