Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea): Identification & Selective Herbicide Matrix
Quick Agronomic Summary
SpeedZone or 2,4-D + Dicamba blends control Common Purslane effectively between 65°F and 85°F.
- Diagnostic Marker 1: Thick, fleshy, succulent reddish-purple stems spreading along the ground
- Diagnostic Marker 2: Teardrop-shaped, glossy, rubbery leaves clustered at stem joints
- Diagnostic Marker 3: Small, cup-shaped yellow flowers with 5 petals that open only on bright mornings
What herbicide kills Purslane in grass?
SpeedZone or 2,4-D + Dicamba blends control Common Purslane effectively between 65°F and 85°F.
Do not hand-pull Purslane and leave clippings on the turf; broken stem fragments re-root in moist soil within 48 hours.
When to treat Purslane?
Apply post-emergents in late spring to mid-summer when seedlings are young.
Pre-emergent Prodiamine applied in spring creates an effective barrier preventing seedling emergence.
EPA-Registered Herbicides Labeled for Common Purslane
The table below compares all selective herbicides in our database that control Common Purslane, 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 |
| Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) EPA Reg. 100-1139 |
Prodiamine 40.7% (or 65% WDG) Group 3 (Microtubule Assembly Inhibitor / Dinitroaniline) |
45°F – 90°F Rainfast: 0h |
Pre-emergent soil barrier: do NOT use foliar surfactant. Must be watered in with 0.5 inches of irrigation or rainfall within 14 days of application to activate. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
Turfgrass Compatibility Matrix for Common Purslane 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 |
| Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE |
How to Distinguish Common Purslane from Lookalike Weeds
| Lookalike Species | Key Botanical & Diagnostic Difference |
|---|---|
| Spotted Spurge | Spotted Spurge has thin, non-succulent leaves, emits milky white poisonous sap, and has dark purple leaf spots, while Purslane has thick rubbery leaves and clear sap. |