Natural Weed Killers That Won't Kill Your Flowers - Garden Savvy (2024)

All gardeners know that it’s a skill in itself to get rid of the weeds in your flower beds without destroying your beautiful flowers along with it. The best way to do it is to use natural weed killers, many of which are common household items already in your kitchen.

Many weed killers on the market can be toxic to humans and pets, but the natural remedies for weeds are safe and effective. Those same chemicals that are potentially harmful to us can be harmful to your flowers or any garden plants. To avoid sabotaging your garden, make organic weed killers right at home with common ingredients like vinegar, lemon and salt.

Best Weed Killer for Flower Beds: Why Use Natural Weed Killer?

Natural Weed Killers That Won't Kill Your Flowers - Garden Savvy (1)

The alternative to chemical-based, store-bought weed killers are all natural homemade weed killers. Gardeners who are environmentally conscious enjoy using organic gardening methods because they don’t contain pesticides and herbicides that can harm the environment. They also protect the health of our children and pets, along with us gardeners who are using them.

Chemicals like glyphosate are effective at keeping weeds at bay and have been deemed safe for use, but they will kill anything in their path, including our precious flower beds. They work by killing the weeds at the root. For a safe, non-toxic way to achieve similar results, keep reading our tips for the best weed killer for flower beds the natural way.

The Top Natural Weed Killers that are Safe for Flowers

Natural Weed Killers That Won't Kill Your Flowers - Garden Savvy (2)

Boiling Water

The steam from boiling water can be used as an effective natural weed killer, but when handling scolding hot water gardeners must exercise caution when using it. Pour the hot water directly on the weeds and watch as they disappear.

Water not only won’t harm the environment, but it’s also the easiest method for natural weed killing in that it costs nothing, with no preparation needed other than boiling the water.

Cornmeal

Cornmeal prevents seed growth by stopping them from germinating. Don’t use corn gluten meal on a new garden or your flowers and plants will die before they have a chance to grow.

This natural weed killing method should be used after your garden is established and all your seeds are planted. Added benefits of cornmeal are it will attract worms, who will enrich the soil, and contains nitrogen, which will enhance overall garden health.

Vinegar

Vinegar is highly acidic and contains acetic acid, which is an eco-friendly weed killer. Many gardeners use vinegar in a spray bottle, mixed with dish soap. It’s important to spray the weeds directly because vinegar is strong enough to kill other plants as well. Make sure to spray on weeds on a sunny day with little wind. The wind can blow away and poison nearby plants in the garden.

Lemon Juice

The juice from lemons can act as a homemade herbicide because of its citric acid properties. When weeds are doused in lemon juice, the acidity will burn the weeds and cause them to die. Lemon juice is most effective when mixed with vinegar. The high acidity in both vinegar and lemon juice will lower the pH in the soil surrounding the weeds, which causes them to die.

Mulch

Mulching isn’t just good for soil health, it’s also a natural weed killer. Mulch is more of a weed control method rather than a weed killer. Spreading a layer of mulch on top of your soil will protect it by blocking out light. This layer of mulch will also retain moisture within your soil and eventually break down to release valuable nutrients.

Salt

Salt is an effective natural weed killer, but it does have its disadvantages. Leave a pinch of salt at the base of the weeds, but no where else. Salt is known for making soil infertile, known as “salting the earth” in the Middle Ages.

Pull By Hand

Any of the above at home natural weed killers will work but there’s always the old-fashioned method of pulling weeds by hand. If weeds are pulled out of the ground, root included, they won’t grow again.

Our tips are to use a trowel, dampen the area to make digging easier, and wear a protective pair of gardening gloves. This method involves more work but it’s also satisfying knowing the roots are pulled out and won’t come back.

Natural Weed Killer Conclusion

Natural Weed Killers That Won't Kill Your Flowers - Garden Savvy (3)

Reclaim the beauty of your garden by making the best weed killer for flower beds to get ridof pesky weeds the natural way. These eco-friendly, kid and pet-friendly and less expensive weed killers for flower beds are just as effective as chemical-based weed killers that contain herbicides and pesticides.

If you’re looking to start a natural flower garden, we recommend you plan your garden with the Hortisketch Garden Planner. Hortisketch features hundreds of unique icons, a dynamic growing calendar, and enables you to plant your entire garden. Start planning your garden with Hortisketch, today!

Natural Weed Killers That Won't Kill Your Flowers - Garden Savvy (2024)

FAQs

What homemade weed killer will not kill flowers? ›

Lemon juice is most effective when mixed with vinegar. The high acidity in both vinegar and lemon juice will lower the pH in the soil surrounding the weeds, which causes them to die. Mulching isn't just good for soil health, it's also a natural weed killer.

What weed killer is safe for flower beds? ›

Here are some common types of selective herbicides that are often considered safe for flower beds: 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid): 2,4-D is a selective herbicide effective against many broadleaf weeds. It is commonly used in flower beds to control weeds such as dandelions, clover, and chickweed.

Is there something that kills weeds and grass but not flowers? ›

There are organic herbicide options that will kill grass but not flowers, including white vinegar or a dish soap solution. Commercial selective herbicides can also target grass over other plants, but read the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your garden.

Does vinegar kill grass in flower beds? ›

Vinegar kills grass and weeds by drawing moisture out of the plant. However, in order for it to work properly, the vinegar needs to be at least 20 percent acetic acid. Common pickling vinegar is only 5-7 percent, so you'll need a horticulture vinegar to accomplish the job.

Will vinegar spray kill flowers? ›

The acetic acid of vinegar dissolves the cell membranes resulting in desiccation of tissues and death of the plant. While this sounds like a splendid outcome for the plague of weeds invading your yard, I suspect you wouldn't be quite as thrilled if vinegar as herbicide were to damage your perennials or garden veggies.

Can you spray garden beds with weed killer? ›

Non-selective herbicides, like Round-up or Finale, can be used in beds as a directed spray against both broadleaf weeds and grass weeds. Damage to your ornamentals can occur if spray contacts the plant. Non-selective products are best used in beds with woody trees, shrubs or groundcovers.

Is weed killer bad for garden beds? ›

Weed killer can affect vegetable crops because the products used to kill broadleaf weeds remain active in plants. Water helps herbicides leach into the soil and plants take up the weed killer. Tomatoes and members of the tomato family are especially susceptible to herbicide carryover.

Can I plant flowers where I sprayed weed killer? ›

If you do accidentally spray a plant you didn't intend to kill, rinse it off immediately with water or cut off the treated area. Wait one day before replanting all ornamental flowers, trees and shrubs. Lawn grasses, herbs, vegetables, and fruits may be planted three days after application.

Does vinegar kill weeds and not flowers? ›

Vinegar/soap weed killer is non-selective, which means that it will also damage/kill your desirable plants. So be careful when applying to weeds. Apply on a sunny day with no wind.

Does vinegar kill weeds and help flowers grow? ›

Vinegar with a higher concentration of acetic acid tends to control weeds more effectively. Household vinegar is generally 5% acetic acid. Some herbicidal vinegar products are 20% or 30% acetic acid. In general, 20% or 30% acetic acid is more effective because it more completely kills young leaves and growing points.

How do you control weeds in flower farms? ›

Organic mulches suchas bark, straw and composted yard wastes effectively control many annual weeds. Some growers use rotted sawdust, wood chips, spoiled hay and straw. If notcomposted properly, sawdust and wood chips will rob the soil of nitrogen. Barkmulches can be used but are often too costly.

What kills grass without killing flowers? ›

Getting Rid of Grass in a Flower Bed

Use a grass specific herbicide on these weeds. Try herbicides with the ingredients clethodim, sethoxydim, or fluazifop-p which will kill grass but not damage flowers and shrubs.

How to keep grass from creeping into flower beds? ›

Consider bricks, concrete pavers or terra cotta tiles. Even wine bottles sunk neck-down could make a nice border. Make sure the bottles are sunk deep enough to keep grass from growing underneath them but are still easy to mow next to and not likely to be chewed up with a string trimmer.

Does vinegar kill weeds permanently? ›

It permanently kills only broadleaf weeds allowing the growth of perennials and grasses. It hampers the above-ground growth without affecting the root systems.

Is bleach a better weed killer than vinegar? ›

Bleach is highly effective in killing mature weeds, and unlike vinegar, will prevent new weeds from coming back because it remains in the soil.

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