How to Kill Common Purslane in Bermudagrass Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Common Purslane 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%), Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) (Prodiamine 40.7% (or 65% WDG)) when air temperatures are between 50°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.
1. Labeled Safe Herbicides That Kill Common Purslane 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 |
| 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 Common Purslane
Warning: Common Common Purslane Killers That Damage Bermudagrass
Many retail herbicides advertised for Common Purslane 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.
3. Optimal Seasonal Timing & Temperature Thresholds
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.
4. Diagnostic Checklist: Confirm It Is Common Purslane Before Spraying
- Thick, fleshy, succulent reddish-purple stems spreading along the ground
- Teardrop-shaped, glossy, rubbery leaves clustered at stem joints
- Small, cup-shaped yellow flowers with 5 petals that open only on bright mornings
Not 100% sure? Use our AI Photo Weed Scanner or review the full Common Purslane Botanical Profile.