11 Impressive & Best Weed Killers for Flower Beds

There’s nothing that ruins a beautiful flower bed easier than weeds. After you’ve spent time and effort getting your flower beds just right, it’s disappointing and almost hurtful watching weeds take them over.

You could go in and pull the weeds by hand, but that doesn’t guarantee that they won’t come back. If you miss even a small piece of the roots, the weeds can and likely will come back full force.

So, how do you effectively kill weeds in your flower beds? Use the best weed killer for flower beds– but don’t use just any old herbicide. Consider using one or more of our favorites, which we’ve listed below.

11 of the Best Weed Killers for Flower Beds

1. Green Goblin Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer

Made of 20% acetic acid, the Green Goblin Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer is a non-selective herbicide ideal for use in flower beds. It targets broadleaf weeds and undesirable grasses while leaving desired flowers and other plants unharmed. A few of the best weeds to use it on are clover, crabgrass, chickweed, and moss.

It has been designed to destroy weeds within just hours of application, which is made easy thanks to the included trigger spray system. Alternatively, you could pour the solution into a pump sprayer. When preparing to use the product, there are no additional steps required; it’s as simple as opening the package and commencing application.

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The product is free of harsh chemicals and is glyphosate, dye, chlorine, and bleach-free, as well. It’s made from corn and is OMRI certified for organic use, which gives users peace of mind. Thanks to its composition, it is 2x stronger than traditional table vinegar, which has been used to kill weeds in the past.

Pros:

Free of harsh chemicals and dyes

Easy application with no dilution required

Weed death occurs within hours

Safe for use in flower beds and gardens

Cons:

No information as to what remaining 80% of the solution is

2. Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer

This grass and weed killer is made of 41% glyphosate and comes in concentrate form, giving buyers the ultimate value for their money. One bottle of concentrate can cover as much as 25,000 square feet of land.

Weeds are destroyed in one application, with the entire plant being killed from the roots up. After application, the product is rainproof within 2 hours. This means that it’s safe from rainfall and moisture, and unable to be washed away.

Application and preparation are simple and easy enough for beginners to do. All you have to do is mix the product with water and pour it into a sprayer or backpack, applying an even amount to the desired areas. It should be applied on a warm day with no wind or rain in the forecast. As long as it is applied correctly, results can be noticed within 2-4 days.

Pros:

Solution permeate foliage and travels down to kill plant roots

Highly concentrated for great value

Rainproof within 2 hours

Total plant death within 2-4 days

Cons:

Reports of some batches of product not working

3. Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer

Preen’s Extended Control Weed Preventer is designed to prevent weeds from flourishing in your flower beds. It works by forming a barrier beneath the ground’s surface. This barrier stops weeds from being able to grow.

It can be used to prevent and control over 600 types of weeds and has the best effect when applied during spring before weeds start to grow. If you forget to apply the product in early spring, however, it can still be applied anytime during the season, as long as weeds are present at the time. Once applied, the product prevents the growth of new weeds for up to 6 months.

With convenience in mind, this flower bed weed killer requires nothing more than a generous application and watering. Watering the product after it has been laid down will activate it. After the product is completely dry, it is safe for children and pets to walk on and be around. In addition, the granules leftover after activation will disintegrate on their own with no need for intervention.

Pros:

Easy to spread and activate

Works on over 125 types of weeds

Prevents weed growth for up to 6 months

Can be applied any time of year that has established weeds

Cons:

Not designed for use around perennials

4. Roundup Landscape Weed Preventer

Available in 3 size options, Roundup’s Landscape Weed Preventer is a top of the line weed prevention solution for homeowners with delicate flower beds. The product can be safely used on annual flower beds, as well as on trees, shrubs, around perennials, and in-ground cover.

It works by creating a barrier that prevents weeds from getting the nourishment they need to grow and is easy to apply via the built-in applicator. The applicator applies a predetermined amount of product that is perfect for getting even coverage and avoiding over weeding. In addition, each bag of product – regardless of size- comes equipped with durable handles that make handling a breeze.

After application, the solution can be left on the surface of the soil or raked into the top inch of it as per user preference. Activating the product is done by watering, which makes for a simple, hassle-free method that can’t be done wrong.

Landscape Weed Preventer is guaranteed to prevent the growth of unwanted weeds for up to 6 months, ensuring that your flower beds and shrubberies are weed-free and beautiful all season long.

Pros:

Effective weed preventative

Built-in applicator for easy application

Prevents weed growth for up to 6 months

Safe for use on annual flower beds

Cons:

Reports of product killing shrubs

5. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer

Highly concentrated and easy to apply, this weed and grass killer by Spectracide is a great choice for those with flower beds and other green areas that need a bit of TLC. It’s ideal for a variety of areas including driveways, walkways, fences, shrubs, and of course, flower beds.

The product is non-selective and targets weeds and grasses while leaving flowers and other greenery alone. It soaks into the weeds’ root and kills it from the bottom up, effectively removing the entire thing.

Just 15 minutes after application, the product is rainproof and able to stand up to downpours and moisture without the effectiveness of the product diminishing. Visible results and weed death can be observed within 3 hours, with the treated area able to support the planting of new greenery in a day.

Before application, the only preparation that the product needs is to be mixed with water and poured into a sprayer or other applicator. Then, after application, the product should be left alone for 7 days to do its job.

Pros:

Kills weeds all the way down to the root

Results appear within 3 hours

Easy, two-step application

Safe to use in flower beds and other green areas

Cons:

Reports of prevention lasting less than a specified amount of time

6. Preen Garden Weed Preventer

While Garden Weed Preventer does not kill existing weeds, it does an excellent job of preventing new weeds from growing. This and its affordability is what makes it appealing to homeowners and earns it a spot on our list of the best grass killer for flower beds.

The product can be sold as a standard container or as a refill kit for the flip-top applicator bottle that’s available. In addition to being available in these two forms, it’s also available in 4 different product volumes: 5, 13, 16, and 31 pounds.

It can be applied to necessary areas during any warm season and can be trusted not to harm over 200 species of established greens. This includes a variety of shrubs, trees, grasses, flowers, and edibles. To take the guesswork out of using the product, a complete list of which edibles the product is safe for use on is located on the bottle.’

After it has been applied, the product can prevent weeds for up to 3 months, with re-application only necessary every 9-12 weeks.

Pros:

Available in various package sizes

Can be sold as a refill only

Safe for use around delicate flowers and shrubs

Effective for up to 3 months

Cons:

Appears to be unreliable on certain weeds

7. Fertilome Killzall Weed and Grass Killer

Killzall Weed and Grass Killer is made by Fertilome, boasting the high quality that the brand is known for. The product is non-selective and ideal for killing a variety of unsightly weeds and grasses that pop up in flower beds.

It contains 41 percent glyphosate and dries quickly once applied, soaking into the foliage of broadleaf weeds and starting to kill the plant immediately. Application is simple, with the product able to be applied using any sprayer system.

Weed death can be noticed within 2-5 days, while some stubborn grass species take up to a week to begin to die. Due to the product’s high efficiency and potency, it should not be used on lawns, but can be used on driveways, paths, along fences, and on sidewalks as well as in the flower beds.

Pros:

41% glyphosate formulation

Easy to apply using a sprayer

Potent and effective

Safe for use in flower beds

Cons:

Kills everything in the general area if over sprayed

8. Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate Plus

Roundup’s Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate Plus solution is available in three package sizes, giving buyers the freedom to choose whichever size best suits their intended use. In addition, the product can be applied with any tank sprayer, making it convenient if buyers have a sprayer at home already.

Each bottle of concentrate is made up of a precise combination of two quality weed-killing solutions, helping it to deliver an effective solution to killing pesky weeds. It’s effective on everything from small areas like flower beds to larger areas like lawn replacements.

To use the product, it just needs to be mixed with water – no complicated preparation is necessary. Once applied, it becomes rain and moisture-proof within 30 minutes. Within 12 hours, the product’s results start to become visible, with weeds and grasses wilting and turning brown as they start to die from the roots up. Most weeds are dead within 1-2 weeks.

Pros:

Easy to prepare and apply

Rainproof within 30 minutes

Full weed death within 1-2 weeks

Ideal for both small and large projects

Cons:

Not pet or child friendly

9. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Extended Control

Designed to prevent weed growth for up to 5 months while simultaneously killing existing weeds, Weed & Grass Killer Extended Control by Spectracide is a product that you can trust to battle flower bed weeds. The formula has been carefully crafted to start killing weeds on contact and all the way down to the root.

Results can be seen within just 3 hours after application, and within a few, as 15 minutes the product is rainproof and resistant to being washed away by moisture. This guarantees the product’s maximum effectiveness even if the weather suddenly changes. If you’re hoping to replant after using the product, you can do so just one day later.

Moreover, you can apply the product to walkways, pathways, and driveways, as well as around flowers and in flower beds. The application itself is simple, as the product can be used in almost any tank sprayer after it has been diluted with water according to package instructions.

Pros:

Prevents weed growth for 5 months

Rain and moisture-proof after 15 minutes

Easy spray application

Quick results

Cons:

Not for use on lawns

10. Ortho Weed B Gone Plus Crabgrass Control

Ortho Weed B Gone Plus Crabgrass Control does exactly what its name makes it sound like it does: controls crabgrass and gets rid of weed fast. When it’s used as directed on the package, it’s safe to be used on lawns and grassy areas. It can be used on bermuda grass, ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and other delicate grass species.

When applied, it targets over 200 species of broadleaf weeds including crabgrass and dandelions, which are known for how easily they take over otherwise lush and healthy lawns. The product works from the tips of the leaves down to the roots of the weeds to ensure total plant death. Most users report seeing results within just a few hours.

Each bottle comes with a convenient trigger applicator that lets you disperse the right amount of herbicide with ease and prevents the loss of product due to overuse.

Pros:

Safe to use on a variety of grasses and in flower beds

Kills over 200 species of weeds

Quick results

Includes convenient trigger application

Cons:

Does not prevent weed growth

11. Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer

This all-natural weed killer by Doctor Kirchner is an earth-friendly weed solution that won’t harm the children, the pets, or the gardener. It’s made of ocean water, vinegar, and soap, which means that it’s free of toxic chemicals and bad odors that linger in the air.

The application is as simple as the ingredients in the solution, with a basic spray mechanism attached to every bottle. To ensure that weeds are saturated, the user should make sure that they are wet. After the product has been applied, it begins killing weeds right away; weeds start to with and die within hours and particularly tough weeds will start to die within 12-24 hours.

If you don’t use all of the product at once, you can rest assured that the leftover portion will be just as effective next season or three seasons later, as the weed killer boasts an incredibly long shelf life.

Pros:

All-natural and chemical-free

Safe on most grasses

Fast-acting solution

No bad odor

Cons:

Can kill grass

Best Weed Killer for Flower Beds: A Buyer’s Guide

Type of weeds

Before even considering buying a weed killer, you need to know what kind of weeds you’re dealing with. Most weed killing products work for a large variety of weeds but there are a few out there that don’t work so well on tougher weeds such as crabgrass. Often, crabgrass and other grassy weeds requires a different type of weed killer.

Weed problem severity

It’s also a good idea to consider the severity of your weed problem. You should take time to decide whether your weeds need a basic, one-time spraying or a more intensive, hands-on treatment. While deciding this, also consider whether you need to have pest control take a look at your area before you begin to worry about the weeds.

Whether you need the basic treatment or something that comes with multiple doses while determining which products are available to you.

Natural or chemical

Another important consideration is the type of weed killer you want: natural or man-made, which is also known as chemical. Natural weed killers tend to be better for the environment and less dangerous for children and pets who might come in contact with them.

Chemical weed killers are more toxic and harder on the environment but have a very high success rate.

Both have their pros and cons and which one is best for you depends on your situation, preferences, and lifestyle.

Application process

The application process is one consideration that gets swept under the rug, only for the user to wish they had gotten a different product when the one they bought turns out to be a pain to apply.

Since weed killers come in so many formats, you should choose one that works best for you and look for a product that matches. Most weed killers are either ready to use, concentrate, or granules.

Concentrate requires the most work while the ready to use options are, as the name suggests, ready to use right from the bottle.

Common Weeds Found In Flower Beds

Crabgrass

Crabgrass is a summer annual weed that is spread by way of seeds and the roots of nodes that grow on the soil. When it goes un-mowed, it can grow to up to 2 feet tall. It generally appears mid-spring through summer when the ground is warm and the soil is soft.

It grows best under hot, dry conditions, but is known to grow in many different conditions. Since it’s annual, it dies at the end of every season and must reseed itself the beginning of the next warm season.

Pigweed

Pigweed is one of the most problematic annual weeds. It’s terribly invasive – especially in crops of broadleaf plants like cotton and soybeans.

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It reproduces using seeds and is distinguished by its red, fleshy taproot. It appears in late spring and early summer, as it likes warm weather.

Lambsquarters

Lambsquarters is one of North America’s most common flower bed weeds. It’s a summer broadleaf weed and is commonly found in edible crops and flower beds. It grows quickly and has seeds small enough to be transported by air.

Chickweed

Chickweed is a winter weed that enjoys well-watered areas. Plant viruses and insects are abundant with chickweed infestations.

In one season, chickweed can produce 800 weeds. Once these are established, sever chickweed infestations can take up to 8 years to eradicate. It forms a dense, mat-like cover that is known for choking out vegetable gardens and various flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of grass in my flower beds?

Grass that has grown in flower beds is best dealt with using a herbicide.

How do I get rid of grass in my flower beds without killing flowers?

To get rid of flower bed grass without killing flowers, you need to find a herbicide that is designed to be used around plants. Additionally, you could opt to shield the desired plants and flowers with plastic until you are done applying the herbicide.

How do you kill crabgrass in a flower bed?

The crabgrass that grows in the flower bed can be handled by using a flower bed-safe herbicide.

Conclusion

With any luck, you’ve learned a thing or two about flower beds and their weeds. Using our detailed guides above, you should be able to go out and find the best weed killer for flower beds that suits all your needs.