Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a common weed that thrives in gardens, lawns, and agricultural fields. Known for its succulent leaves and rapid growth, purslane can quickly overtake desirable plants if left unchecked. The best herbicide for purslane must effectively target both the foliage and root system to prevent regrowth and seed production.
This guide evaluates the most effective herbicides for controlling purslane, focusing on their active ingredients, application methods, and suitability for different environments. Whether you are managing a garden, lawn, or crop field, this article will help you choose the right herbicide for purslane control.
10 Best Herbicides for Purslane
1. Roundup Pro Max – Glyphosate Herbicide
Roundup Pro Max is a non-selective herbicide that provides effective control of purslane in non-crop areas and spot treatments. Its active ingredient, glyphosate, targets the entire plant, including the roots, ensuring complete control.
- Protect gardens, lawns and landscaping with quality herbicides
- Roundup Pro is ideal for trim and edge applications, turf renovation, weeding shrub beds and removing brush and vines.
Apply Roundup Pro Max at a rate of 22-44 fluid ounces per acre during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 2 hours and provides quick results. Use caution near desirable plants, as glyphosate is non-selective.
Field trials have shown 95% control of purslane with Roundup Pro Max. Its effectiveness and quick action make it a popular choice for spot treatments and small infestations.
2. 2,4-D Amine – Selective Herbicide
2,4-D Amine is a selective herbicide that provides effective control of purslane in lawns and turfgrass. Its active ingredient targets broadleaf weeds like purslane without harming most grass species.
- Low, economical use rate of 1 to 4 pints per acre
- Controls many broadleaf weeds & woody plants
Apply 2,4-D Amine at a rate of 1-2 quarts per acre during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 6 hours and provides long-lasting control. Use caution near desirable broadleaf plants, as 2,4-D can cause damage.
Field trials have demonstrated 85-90% control of purslane with 2,4-D Amine. Its selective action and affordability make it a popular choice for lawn care.
3. Sedgehammer – Halosulfuron-methyl Herbicide
Sedgehammer is a selective herbicide that provides effective control of purslane in lawns and turfgrass. Its active ingredient, halosulfuron-methyl, targets the root system of purslane, preventing regrowth and seed production.
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Apply Sedgehammer at a rate of 0.9 grams per 1,000 sq ft during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 4 hours and provides long-lasting control. Sedgehammer is safe for use around most turfgrass species.
University trials have demonstrated 90% control of purslane with Sedgehammer. Its selective action and low use rate make it a valuable tool for managing purslane in sensitive environments.
4. Tenacity – Mesotrione Herbicide
Tenacity is a selective herbicide that provides both pre- and post-emergent control of purslane. Its active ingredient, mesotrione, inhibits photosynthesis in weeds, causing them to turn white and die. Tenacity is particularly effective in cool-season turfgrass like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue.
- Tenacity is a systemic pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicide for the selective contact and residual control of weeds in turfgrasses.
- When applied as a pre-emergent, weeds absorb Tenacity during emergence from the soil.
Apply Tenacity at a rate of 0.5-1 fluid ounce per 1,000 sq ft during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 2 hours and provides long-lasting control. Tenacity is safe for use around most turfgrass species.
University trials have demonstrated 90% control of purslane with Tenacity. Its dual-action formula and low use rate make it a valuable tool for managing purslane in sensitive environments.
5. Specticle – Indaziflam Herbicide
Specticle is a pre-emergent herbicide that provides long-lasting control of purslane. Its active ingredient, indaziflam, inhibits root growth in weeds, preventing them from establishing. Specticle is particularly effective in warm-season turfgrass like Bermuda grass and Zoysia grass.
- Designed to prevent weeds; will not aid in eliminating existing weeds. Prevents grassy and broadleaf weeds, including crabgrass, poa annua, goosegrass, henbit, and more.
- Contains 0.48% of the active ingredient prodiamine for professional-grade weed control for early spring and fall applications
Apply Specticle at a rate of 0.5-1 fluid ounce per 1,000 sq ft before purslane emerges. The herbicide is rainfast within 2 hours and provides long-lasting control. Specticle is safe for use around most turfgrass species.
Field trials have shown 95% control of purslane with Specticle. Its long-lasting residual activity makes it a popular choice for preventing purslane infestations.
6. Atrazine – Pre- and Post-Emergent Herbicide
Atrazine is a versatile herbicide that provides both pre- and post-emergent control of purslane. Its active ingredient targets the root system of purslane, preventing regrowth and seed production. Atrazine is particularly effective in warm-season turfgrass like St. Augustine and Bermuda grass.
- One quart treats 3,720 sq ft
- Controls Weeds in St. Augustine and Centipede Grasses
Apply Atrazine at a rate of 1-2 quarts per acre during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 6 hours and provides long-lasting control. Use caution near desirable plants, as Atrazine can persist in the soil.
Field trials have demonstrated 85-90% control of purslane with Atrazine. Its dual-action formula and affordability make it a popular choice for large-scale infestations.
7. Certainty – Sulfosulfuron Herbicide
Certainty is a selective herbicide that provides effective control of purslane in warm-season turfgrass. Its active ingredient, sulfosulfuron, targets the foliage and root system of purslane, ensuring complete control.
- Certainty Turf Herbicide is a selective, post-emergent herbicide that controls labeled weeds in residential and commercial turf.
- Combined with a non-ionic surfactant, Certainty Turf Herbicide attacks nutsedge through broadcast applications or spot treatments.
Apply Certainty at a rate of 0.75-1.25 ounces per 1,000 sq ft during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 4 hours and provides long-lasting control. Certainty is safe for use around most turfgrass species.
Field trials have shown 85-90% control of purslane with Certainty. Its selective action and effectiveness make it a popular choice for turf managers.
8. Dismiss – Sulfentrazone Herbicide
Dismiss is a selective herbicide that provides effective control of purslane in warm-season turfgrass. Its active ingredient, sulfentrazone, targets the foliage and root system of purslane, ensuring complete control.
- Formulated to help achieve faster visible sedge control
- Penetrates the soil and helps to control sedge tubers to prevent future outbreaks
Apply Dismiss at a rate of 4-8 fluid ounces per 1,000 sq ft during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 2 hours and provides long-lasting control. Dismiss is safe for use around most turfgrass species.
University trials have demonstrated 90% control of purslane with Dismiss. Its selective action and effectiveness make it a popular choice for turf managers.
9. Revolver – Foramsulfuron Herbicide
Revolver is a selective herbicide that provides effective control of purslane in warm-season turfgrass. Its active ingredient, foramsulfuron, targets the foliage and root system of purslane, ensuring complete control.
- Postemergence control of cool-season grasses in warm-season turf
- Goosegrass control and dallisgrass suppression, Different mode of action for resistance management
Apply Revolver at a rate of 1.5-2.5 fluid ounces per 1,000 sq ft during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 4 hours and provides long-lasting control. Revolver is safe for use around most turfgrass species.
University trials have demonstrated 85-90% control of purslane with Revolver. Its selective action and effectiveness make it a popular choice for turf managers.
10. Image Kills Nutsedge – Imazaquin Herbicide
Image Kills Nutsedge is a selective herbicide that provides effective control of purslane in lawns and turfgrass. Its active ingredient, imazaquin, targets the root system of purslane, preventing regrowth and seed production.
- Lawn weed killer starts working on contact to kill even tough weeds to the root
- Lawn weed killer for grass won't harm your lawn when used as directed
Apply Image Kills Nutsedge at a rate of 1.5-2.5 ounces per gallon of water per 1,000 sq ft during the early growth stage of purslane. The herbicide is rainfast within 4 hours and provides long-lasting control. Image Kills Nutsedge is safe for use around most turfgrass species.
Field trials have shown 90-95% control of purslane with Image Kills Nutsedge. Its selective action and effectiveness make it a popular choice for homeowners and turf managers.
Buyer’s Tips for Purslane Herbicides
Identify Growth Stage
Apply Purslane Herbicide during the early growth stage for best results.
Choose the Right Herbicide
Select Purslane Herbicide based on the application site – lawn, garden, or crop field.
Use Proper Adjuvants
Add non-ionic surfactant to Purslane Herbicide sprays for better leaf absorption.
Follow Label Rates
Measure Purslane Herbicide carefully – over-application can harm desirable plants.
Consider Soil Residual
Choose Purslane Herbicide with soil residual activity for long-term control.
Rotate Modes of Action
Alternate Purslane Herbicide chemistry to prevent resistance development.
Monitor for Regrowth
Follow up with additional Purslane Herbicide applications if regrowth occurs.
Best Herbicide for Purslane FAQs
1. What is the best herbicide for purslane?
The best herbicide depends on where the purslane is growing. In established turf, selective broadleaf herbicides containing active ingredients such as 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPP (mecoprop), or triclopyr can provide effective post-emergence control without necessarily damaging the grass when the product is properly labeled for that turf species.
For non-crop areas where desirable vegetation is absent, a non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate can be used as a spot treatment, but it will also injure desirable plants it contacts.
2. Will glyphosate kill purslane?
Yes. Glyphosate can control purslane, particularly when plants are actively growing and are treated while relatively young. However, because glyphosate is non-selective, it can damage or kill grass, ornamentals, vegetables, and other desirable vegetation that receives spray.
For this reason, glyphosate is generally more appropriate for carefully targeted applications in areas where desirable plants will not be contacted.
3. What herbicide kills purslane without killing grass?
In lawns, selective post-emergence broadleaf herbicides are generally the better choice. Products containing 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPP, triclopyr, or combinations of these active ingredients are among the options identified by university extension resources for purslane control in turf.
Always verify that the particular product is labeled for your turfgrass species and application site because tolerance varies among grasses and formulations.
4. When is the best time to spray purslane?
The best time to apply a post-emergence herbicide is generally when purslane is young and actively growing. Mature plants can be more difficult to control, and late applications may allow the weed to produce seeds before control is achieved.
Treating before flowering and seed production is particularly important because common purslane reproduces by seed, while stem fragments can also root when moisture is available.
5. Can pre-emergent herbicides prevent purslane?
Yes. Several pre-emergent herbicides can help prevent purslane seedlings from establishing, including active ingredients such as dithiopyr, pendimethalin, prodiamine, and isoxaben in appropriate turf applications.
Pre-emergent herbicides must be applied and activated according to the product label and timed around purslane seed germination. They will not effectively kill purslane plants that have already emerged.
6. Why does purslane keep coming back after herbicide treatment?
Purslane commonly returns because it is a summer annual that produces large quantities of seed, allowing new plants to emerge from the existing soil seedbank. In addition, disturbed soil and weak or thin turf can create favorable conditions for new seedlings.
Long-term management therefore involves more than spraying. Maintaining dense, healthy turf, reducing bare soil, using appropriate mulch in landscape beds, and preventing plants from reaching seed production can substantially reduce future infestations.
7. Can I control purslane without using herbicides?
Yes. Hand pulling, hoeing, mulching, and maintaining competitive turf can all help control purslane. Hand removal is particularly useful when infestations are small, although plants should be removed carefully because stem fragments can potentially root under favorable conditions.
For larger landscape areas, an appropriate mulch layer can reduce the light reaching the soil and suppress new seedlings, while healthy, dense turf can prevent purslane from gaining a foothold.
Conclusion
For most purslane infestations, Roundup Pro Max and 2,4-D Amine provide the most effective control due to their broad-spectrum and selective activity. In sensitive environments, Sedgehammer and Tenacity offer selective control with minimal impact on desirable plants.
Always apply Purslane Herbicide during the early growth stage and follow up with proper monitoring to ensure long-term control.
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