Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Identification & Selective Herbicide Matrix
Quick Agronomic Summary
A 3-way phenoxy blend containing 2,4-D, Mecoprop-p, and Dicamba plus Carfentrazone (SpeedZone) kills Dandelions down to the taproot when sprayed between 50°F and 85°F.
- Diagnostic Marker 1: Deeply notched, tooth-shaped basal leaves pointing backward toward the central crown
- Diagnostic Marker 2: Hollow, leafless flower stalks that exude milky white latex sap when snapped
- Diagnostic Marker 3: Bright yellow composite flower heads maturing into spherical white puffballs of wind-borne achenes
What is the best selective herbicide to kill Dandelions in a lawn?
A 3-way phenoxy blend containing 2,4-D, Mecoprop-p, and Dicamba plus Carfentrazone (SpeedZone) kills Dandelions down to the taproot when sprayed between 50°F and 85°F.
Because Dandelions store massive carbohydrate reserves in a fleshy taproot up to 10 inches deep, contact herbicides only burn the foliage. Systemic auxin herbicides translocate to the root crown within 72 hours. For sensitive St. Augustine and Centipede lawns that cannot tolerate 2,4-D in summer heat, use Celsius WG between 65°F and 95°F.
When should you spray Dandelions for permanent root control?
Spray Dandelions in mid-autumn (October to November) when daytime temperatures are 50°F–75°F and plants actively pump foliar sugars downward into their taproots before winter dormancy.
A secondary application window occurs in early spring during the yellow bud stage before white seed puffballs form. Avoid mowing 2 days before and 2 days after spraying to maximize leaf surface absorption.
EPA-Registered Herbicides Labeled for Common Dandelion
The table below compares all selective herbicides in our database that control Common Dandelion, 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 |
| Drive XLR8 EPA Reg. 7969-272 |
Quinclorac 18.92% Group 4 (Synthetic Auxin / Quinoline Carboxylic Acid) |
60°F – 85°F Rainfast: 1h |
Requires Methylated Seed Oil (MSO) surfactant at 1.5 tbsp (0.75 fl oz) per gallon of water for effective cuticle penetration on multi-tiller crabgrass. | 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 |
| 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 |
| Pylex Herbicide EPA Reg. 7969-327 |
Topramezone 29.7% Group 27 (HPPD Inhibitor / Pyrazolone) |
55°F – 85°F Rainfast: 1h |
Must be applied with Methylated Seed Oil (MSO) at 1 to 1.5 tsp per gallon of water. Tank-mixing with Triclopyr Ester reduces white bleaching and speeds up Bermudagrass and Goosegrass mortality. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
Turfgrass Compatibility Matrix for Common Dandelion 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 |
| Drive XLR8 | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | AVOID |
| SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE |
| TZone SE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | DAMAGE RISK | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | AVOID |
| Celsius WG | AVOID | AVOID | AVOID | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID |
| Pylex Herbicide | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID | AVOID | DAMAGE RISK | SAFE | AVOID |
How to Distinguish Common Dandelion from Lookalike Weeds
| Lookalike Species | Key Botanical & Diagnostic Difference |
|---|---|
| False Dandelion (Catsear) | False Dandelion has hairy, rough-textured leaves and solid branched stems carrying multiple flowers, whereas true Dandelion has hairless leaves and unbranched hollow stems. |
| Annual Sowthistle | Sowthistle grows tall upright leafy stems with prickly margins instead of remaining in a flat basal rosette. |