Natural weed killers are an effective and eco-friendly option for gardeners who want to eliminate weeds. Read our guide for recipes, recommended application methods, and tips.

No matter how well you take care of your garden, weeds will find a way to invade it. You need a strong weed killer to protect your plants from these uninvited guests and maintain your landscape’s beauty.

Over-the-counter herbicides might be effective, but they have some downsides, including pollution and health issues. Our guide contains several natural weed-killer recipes to help you create eco-friendly and safe alternatives to chemical-filled herbicides.

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What Are Weeds?

A weed is a plant that grows where it’s not wanted. These plants compete with cultivated plants for space, nutrients, and water. A lawn full of weeds can cause challenges for gardeners, even though some may have aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits.

Weeds can be highly resilient and adaptable in their fight for survival. Many of these plants thrive in diverse environments, including lush vegetable gardens. They reproduce quickly through dispersal, rhizome spreading, and vegetative propagation. Controlling them can become an everyday task. 

The most common weeds include the following: 

• Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis): This vining perennial weed with heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers is also known as morning glory. Thanks to its robust root system, it spreads aggressively and chokes the surrounding vegetation.
• Chickweed (Stellaria media): This is a low-growing annual weed with small, star-shaped white flowers. It colonizes garden beds and lawns, forming dense mats that smother desirable plants.
• Common vetch (Vicia sativa): This broadleaf weed’s seeds germinate in the fall or early winter. It evades thin turf areas and interferes with plant growth.
• Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis): This annual grass weed is known for its rapid spread and resilience to mowing. Crabgrass forms dense patches that compete with desirable turfgrass species.
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): This persistent weed has distinctive yellow flowers and deeply toothed leaves. Its seeds are dispersed by wind.

All of these weeds require a comprehensive approach to elimination. They will likely return during the next season—even if you opt for the best lawn care services and manage to destroy the annoying pests this year. That’s one of the reasons why natural weed killers are essential. Since you have to fight weeds frequently, you want to ensure minimal harm to you and the environment.

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Types of Natural Weed Killers

The number of natural weed killers is as impressive as the variety of herbicides on the market. Here are the types of lawn weed killers you may want to consider:

Essential Oil-Based Weed Killers

Essential oils derived from clove, citrus, or peppermint plants have herbicidal properties. These oils contain natural compounds that disrupt cellular functions in weeds.

This type of weed killer is biodegradable. Many organic gardeners prefer it over other natural herbicides since it poses minimal risk to the environment. However, its efficacy may vary depending on the concentration of active ingredients and the type of weeds you target.

Salt-Based Weed Killers

Applying regular table salt directly to a weed disrupts the osmotic balance within plant cells. This method causes severe dehydration and eventual death.

Common salt-based weed killers include rock salt, table salt, or Epsom salt solutions. Salt-based treatments are inexpensive and readily available. However, excessive use of salt can have detrimental effects on soil fertility. You must apply it directly on the weed to ensure none of the neighboring plants feel the effect.

Soap-Based Weed Killers

These weed killers use the abrasive properties of soap to penetrate the waxy cuticle of weed leaves. This application causes them to lose water, wilt, and die. Regular dishwashing liquid or castile soap mixed with water can do the trick.

Soap-based natural weed killer recipes don’t contain many ingredients. These weed killers usually don’t work quickly, though they are inexpensive and easy to make. You may need to apply multiple times for successful weed control.

Vinegar-Based Weed Killers

One of the most common natural weed killers is vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar acts as a desiccant when applied to weeds. It causes the plant’s tissues to dry out and wilt. Vinegar-based weed killers work well against young weeds and annual plants. However, they may be less effective against deep-rooted perennial weeds.

Be careful to avoid contact with desired plants that may be surrounding the weeds.

Pros and Cons of Using Natural Weed Killers

Natural weed killers have certain advantages and disadvantages compared to chemical-based herbicides. You invest more time and effort into natural weed killers, but they are safer than chemical-based alternatives.

Pros

• Can be made at home
• Safe for humans, pets, and the environment 
• Sustainable weed management

Cons

• Limited availability in stores
• Non-selective action
• Variable efficacy

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Homemade Weed Killer Recipes

These recipes can help you get started if you’ve decided to take advantage of natural weed killers.

Boiling Water Weed Killer Recipe

This recipe is one of the easiest and most inexpensive methods to fight weeds. It can work well for weeds that don’t have a deep root system. If they do, the water will damage the top part of the plant, and they will grow back.

For this weed killer, you will need the following:

• Pot or kettle
• Water

Boil a pot of water on the stove or kettle until it reaches a rolling boil. Carefully pour the boiling water directly onto the weeds, ensuring the roots are thoroughly saturated. Repeat as necessary until the weeds are dead.

Dish Soap and Vinegar Weed Killer Recipe

Vinegar and dish soap negatively affect the weed’s ability to survive. They are more powerful together.

For this weed killer, you will need the following:

• Liquid dish soap
• Spray bottle
• White vinegar

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle gently to ensure thorough mixing.

On a sunny day, spray the vinegar solution directly onto the leaves and stems of the weeds you wish to eliminate. Aim for complete coverage, but don’t spray the solution on nearby plants. You may hurt the desired plants, which are often weaker and more susceptible to herbicides. Reapply as necessary until the weeds begin to wither and die.

Essential Oil Weed Killer Recipe

Use the essential oil of your choice for this natural weed-killer recipe. Cinnamon, citrus, clove, lavender, and peppermint are the most effective oils. You can mix several oils for better results.

For this weed killer, you will need the following:

• Essential oil
• Liquid dish soap
• Spray bottle
• Water

Combine 20 drops of essential oils, 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap, and 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Spray the solution directly onto the weeds, ensuring complete coverage of the foliage. Reapply every few days until the weeds begin to wilt and die. Exercise caution to avoid spraying onto desirable plants.

Salt and Vinegar Weed Killer Recipe

Salt and vinegar work together in tandem. You can use each, but the joint effort achieves better results.

For this weed killer, you will need the following:

• Bowl
• Table salt
• White vinegar

Mix one part salt to eight parts white vinegar in a bowl until the salt dissolves. Pour the solution directly onto the weeds, thoroughly soaking the weeds. 

Don’t touch nearby plants. If weeds are growing near your desirable vegetation, you can use a sprayer to apply the solution more precisely. Repeat applications as needed until the weeds begin to wilt and die.

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How To Apply Natural Weed Killers

The way you apply natural herbicides can affect how they work. The key to a successful application is timing.  Choose a sunny day with little to no wind to ensure precise application, and that rain won’t wash off the herbicide before it has time to do its job.

Always apply the weed killer directly to the targeted plant’s stems and leaves. Also, spray enough herbicide on the surrounding soil to reach the roots. However, be careful not to spray the solution onto desired plants.

Monitor the treated area regularly after application to check whether the solution worked. Remove any dead weeds to prevent them from reseeding.

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Precautions When Using Natural Weed Killers

You still need to be cautious when applying natural weed killers, even though they are safer than chemical-based herbicides. Take the following precautions:

• Don’t use equipment that you used to apply chemical weed killers to apply natural solutions.
• Keep children and pets away from the treated area for several hours. Even natural ingredients can pose risks when ingested.
• Store the homemade weed killer out of reach of children.
• Wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection when mixing and applying the weed killer.

Consider testing the natural herbicide on a small patch of soil first before applying the natural herbicide to broad areas of your lawn. This step can help you see how it reacts and prevent unintended damage to your vegetation.

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Our Conclusion

Natural weed killers can be an eco-friendly and safer alternative to chemical-based herbicides. They are easy to make and less harmful to the environment and your family. When prepared and applied correctly, DIY weed killers can be as effective as over-the-counter herbicides.

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FAQ About Natural Weed Killer Recipes

Does vinegar kill weeds permanently?

Vinegar can kill leaves and stems permanently when applied correctly. However, it may not reach the roots. That’s why it’s better to use vinegar with other natural ingredients such as salt and soap.

Is vinegar as good as Roundup for killing weeds?

Vinegar may not be as good as Roundup when used by itself. However, it can achieve similar results when mixed with salt or soap. Vinegar is a natural ingredient that’s safer and more eco-friendly than Roundup, which contains glyphosate.

Is it safe to use natural weed killers with pets and kids?

Using natural weed killers with pets and kids is safer than herbicides that contain harsh chemicals. However, you should keep kids and pets away from the application site for a few hours to prevent accidental ingestion.

Can natural weed killers harm my lawn or garden plants?

Yes, natural weed killers can harm your lawn and garden plants. Spray the natural weed killer directly onto the weed to avoid damage.

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