Nothing ruins your yard or garden like those annoying weeds. Not only do they make your garden look untidy, but they also share your plants with food and space, preventing them from thriving and growing.
While there are plenty of weed killers on the market, many of them aren’t selective and can be dangerous to use near your flowers no matter how careful you are. So, is there a weed killer that won’t kill flowers?
Luckily, there are some great options that you can use in order to target weeds and ensure the safety of your beloved flowers, so let’s dive in and see what these products have got to offer and how to use them!
1. Ferti-lome Over the Top Grass Killer
This product from Fertilome is simply one of the best options out there if you’re looking for a grass killer that is also safe for flowers.
The Fertilome Over the Top Grass Killer has a special formula with highly selective features that are specifically designed to target a wide variety of popular annual and perennial weed species.
This means that you can easily apply this formula around your flowers without worrying about them dying in the process.
The weed killer comes in high concentration, so it’ll give you more value as you dilute it and also preserve the weed killer for a long time.
Ideally, you’ll need to dilute this 8 ounce formula to 2 gallon solution before spraying, but make sure that you don’t spray it on rainy days to prevent it from reaching the roots of your plants.
While this is one of the most effective weed killers on the market, it’s also quite pricey. However, it’s worth every penny if you’re looking for something selective.
Pros
- Highly selective formula that will have the least effect on your flowers
- Fast acting formula that gives results within two days only
- High concentration for long shelf life and higher value for money
Cons
- A little pricey
Read more: 5 Weeds That Look Like Clover With Yellow Flowers
2. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
Another alternative that you might consider if you’re looking for a safe weed killer is this option. What makes the Green Gobbler a good choice is that it’s highly effective while using a natural formula that is mainly based on high concentration vinegar (20% acetic acid).
We also like that the formula is free of carcinogenic materials as well as glyphosate which can cause severe irritation to the eyes and skin.
This natural formula has been used by gardeners and growers for ages to eliminate various weeds like dandelions, crabgrass, clover weeds, moss, and much more.
With that said, you still need to follow all application instructions in order to properly target the weeds and avoid hurting your flowers in the process.
Pros
- Uses a natural formula with a high concentration of acetic acid for safe weed elimination
- You can apply it directly without worrying about dilution
- Fast acting and kill undesired weeds within a single day.
Cons
- Strong vinegar scent
- Use with caution on vinegar-prone surfaces
3. Preen Garden Weed Preventer Plus Plant Food
If you’re looking for a safe formula to apply to your flower garden in order to prevent weeds from showing up, you should consider this option.
The Preen Garden Weed Preventer is a safe formula that is tried on a wide range of flower species as well as shrubs, trees, and edibles like fruits and vegetables (up to 200 species).
The formula is used to kill and prevent weeds from showing up, so there are different instructions depending on how you want to use it.
With that said, Preen is much better at prevention than it is at killing weeds, so it’s not the best option for established weeds.
The formula lasts for up to 3 months, and in addition to blocking popular weeds, it also has a high nutritional value, as it contains nitrogen, phosphates, and potassium.
The weed preventer comes with an applicator cap that makes it easy to pour, and since it’s granular, you shouldn’t worry about it spreading further than you need.
Pros
- Excellent choice for prevention that lasts up to 3 months per application
- Easy to use with no dilution or preparation
- Doubles as a fertilizer that nourishes the soil
Cons
- Not ideal for killing existing weeds
5. Spectracide Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate
Spectracide is one of the most convenient weed killers for those who want to avoid harming their flowers as much as possible while expecting excellent results.
The formula used in this weed killer is quite remarkable and works very quickly. In fact, you’re expected to see the weeds dying down within 3 hours and completely dead within a day.
The powerful formula doesn’t spread rapidly into the lawn, so it won’t harm nearby flowers if you’re careful enough. However, users noticed that the formula can also kill regular lawn grass.
Unlike many products on the list, this one is rain-proof after the first 15 minutes. This means that once it sits, rainwater won’t reduce its effectiveness.
The formula comes in a high concentration that you can dilute and add to a lawn/garden sprayer in order to use, which can be quite a hassle for some.
Pros
- Highly effective formula that shows initial results within hours
- Resistant to watering and rain after 15 minutes
- Comes in various sizes
Cons
- Kill the lawn grass
- Requires dilution and adding to a sprayer
6. Ortho Grass B Gon Garden Grass Killer
Next, we have another great option if you’re looking for easy application and excellent results. The B Gon Grass Killer from Ortho is designed to kill a wide range of weeds and unwanted grasses while sparing your plants.
With that said, it’s important that you spray them on unwanted weeds and not directly on your flowers to avoid harming them.
The formula is previously mixed and adjusted so that you use it directly, but you still need to read the instructions carefully to avoid causing unwanted problems in your flower bed.
The grass killer is also notably fast when compared to many products out there, as you should expect results as soon as you apply it.
If you live in an area where it rains frequently, the Ortho B Gone would be a solid choice because it becomes waterproof within the first hour of application.
Pros
- Fast action with great results within the first few hours
- Designed to target weeds and spare a huge range of plants and flowers
- Designed so that you can use it directly without worrying about mixing or measuring
Cons
- The formula is not safe for pets
7. Roundup Landscape Weed Preventer
Roundup is another great option to consider if you’re looking for an effective weed killer and preventer that will target weeds without harming your flowers.
One of the main advantages of using this formula is that it’s one of the longest acting options available on the market.
After applying this formula to your garden, you should expect it to prevent weeds from growing for up to 6 months.
The weed preventer comes in a granular formula, which makes it very easy to use and apply without worrying about your flowers. Keep in mind that this formula also works best when coupled with mulch.
Pros
- Doesn’t harm established flowers
- Long action formula
- Easy to use with an applicator
Cons
- Can leave a stain on some surfaces like stone
8. Natural Mulch As Weed Killer
This one is a bit unique and different from regular weed killers. However, it’s still a highly effective method that has been proven to work for ages.
Not only that, but according to a study that assesses mulch for weed control, it was found that mulch is capable of effectively reducing weeds all the while improving the quality of the yield.
One of the perks of using mulch as a weed killer is that it’s a natural method that doesn’t involve any chemicals or toxic ingredients that can be harmful to humans or pets.
Additionally, mulch, in general, is really good for the health of the soil because it prevents the evaporation of water from topsoil, which reduces the need to water plants frequently.
It also helps in breaking down nutrients easily and prevents some pests from infesting your soil. You’ll also guarantee the safety of your flowers because it doesn’t pose any dangers to them.
Pros
- An effective method that is backed by scientific evidence
- Mulch has a lot of side benefits for the plant and the soil
- Completely safe for your flowers
Cons
- While it’s great for the prevention of weeds, it’s used in combination with other formulas to kill them
Users Also Read: 16 Wasp Repellent Plants to Grow in Your Garden
Wrap Up: Weed Killer That Won’t Kill Flowers
There you have it! A brief guide that walks you through some of the best options when it comes to weed killers that won’t kill flowers.
As you can see, there’s a wide variety of options that you can use for that matter. However, we highly recommend Fertilome Over The Top Grass Killer because it’s extremely selective and ensures the safety of your flowers while eliminating the most common weeds!
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable alternative that will still work, you might want to consider Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer, as it has a natural formula that is easy to apply and is highly effective in killing those pesky weeds.