How to Kill Henbit in Bermudagrass Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Henbit 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.
Post-emergent sprays work best in late winter to early spring when plants are small and blooming. In southern warm-season turf, Celsius WG or Atrazine is completely safe.
1. Labeled Safe Herbicides That Kill Henbit 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 |
| Image Kills Nutsedge EPA Reg. 228-719 |
Imazaquin 3.3% Group 2 (ALS Inhibitor / Imidazolinone) |
65°F – 90°F Rainfast: 6h |
Ready-to-mix liquid formulation contains surfactant; additional NIS is not required for standard broadcast or spot treatments. | 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 |
2. What NOT to Spray on Bermudagrass When Treating Henbit
Warning: Common Henbit Killers That Damage Bermudagrass
Many retail herbicides advertised for Henbit are formulated for different turf zones and will severely injure Bermudagrass:
- AVOID Tenacity (Mesotrione 40%): Rated 'avoid_actively_growing' on Bermudagrass — high risk of turf phytotoxicity or stunting.
- 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
Apply pre-emergents in September when soil temps drop below 70°F, or post-emergents in February–March before seeds set.
Once daytime temperatures hit 80°F in late spring, Henbit naturally dies off, but leaves behind viable seeds for the next fall.
4. Diagnostic Checklist: Confirm It Is Henbit Before Spraying
- Square, four-sided green or purplish stems with fine hairs
- Upper leaves clasp directly around the stem without petioles (sessile)
- Tubular, reddish-purple to pink flowers blooming in early spring whorls
Not 100% sure? Use our AI Photo Weed Scanner or review the full Henbit Botanical Profile.