How to Kill Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) in Zoysiagrass Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) in Zoysiagrass 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%), TZone SE (Triclopyr 7.72%, 2,4-D 29.36%, Dicamba 2.22%, Sulfentrazone 0.66%) when air temperatures are between 50°F and 85°F.
Lespedeza develops woody stems in mid-summer that resist 2,4-D. Metsulfuron or Triclopyr effectively overcomes the woody barrier.
1. Labeled Safe Herbicides That Kill Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) in Zoysiagrass
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Hi-Yield Atrazine Weed Killer EPA Reg. 34911-15-7401 |
Atrazine 40.8% Group 5 (Photosystem II Inhibitor / Triazine) |
50°F – 85°F Rainfast: 6h |
Do NOT add surfactant when spraying actively growing St. Augustine or Centipede above 80°F to avoid foliar yellowing. Irrigate lightly within 48 hours for root uptake. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
3. Optimal Seasonal Timing & Temperature Thresholds
Spray in early summer when plants are young and herbaceous before woody stem hardening.
Maintain adequate soil phosphorus and nitrogen to promote dense turf canopy cover.
4. Diagnostic Checklist: Confirm It Is Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) Before Spraying
- Trifoliate leaves with prominent parallel veins that look feather-like (pinnate)
- Dark green prostrate wiry stems that become tough and woody by late summer
- Tiny pink to purple flowers blooming in leaf axils from August to October
Not 100% sure? Use our AI Photo Weed Scanner or review the full Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) Botanical Profile.