5 Best Selective Herbicide for Clover in Buffalo Grass
Lead Turfgrass & Lawn Care Specialist at Totally Green Lawn · Certified Turfgrass Specialist (CTS), Master Gardener, B.S. in Agronomy & Turf Science · 14+ years in residential turf management, organic fertilization, and weed science
The best best selective herbicide for clover in buffalo grass is the Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16, the only one here that's both labeled for clover and proven safe on warm-season turf like buffalograss. It targets the broadleaf without torching the lawn, which is the exact trade-off most homeowners get wrong.
Want a faster cool-weather knockdown instead? The SpeedZone EW Lawn Weed Killer gets you visible curling in 24 to 48 hours, as long as your buffalograss is fully dormant or you don't mind a little temporary discoloration in shoulder seasons.
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This guide breaks down which products actually work on buffalograss (a warm-season native that most broadleaf killers will damage) versus which ones work on everything except buffalograss. We'll also flag buyers who should skip this category entirely, like anyone whose "clover" is actually black medic or trefoil, and anyone spraying during summer dormancy.
Everything below comes from current Amazon product listings, manufacturer specifications (Bonide, Syngenta, PBI-Gordon), and verified buyer feedback patterns. No hands-on lab testing, just a careful read of what's in the bottle and what owners actually report.
Quick Answer: The Best Selective Herbicide for Clover in Buffalo Grass
The top pick is the Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16 for buffalograss owners who want clover control without killing the lawn underneath. Here's the full lineup ranked:
- Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16 (Best Overall for Buffalograss): Specifically labeled for clover and listed safe on warm-season turf.
- Whitetail Institute Arrest Max Selective Grass (Best for Clover in Food Plots): Kills grass weeds but leaves clover and legumes untouched.
- Syngenta Fusilade II Herbicide (Best for Grassy Weed Invasions): Targets bermuda and crabgrass in ornamental beds without harming clover.
- SpeedZone EW Lawn Weed Killer (Fastest-Acting Broadleaf Killer): Visible results in 1 to 2 days for cool-season lawns.
- Bonide Weed Beater Ultra (Best All-Season Broadleaf Option): Works in warm or cool weather for mixed weed pressure.
Thinking about spraying a dormant or drought-stressed buffalograss lawn instead? Jump to Who Should NOT Buy below before you spend anything.
Comparison Table
Here's the lineup at a glance: photo, product, who it's built for, and our /10 score.
| Photo | Product | Best for | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16 | Buffalograss clover control | 8.3/10 | Check price → |
 | Whitetail Institute Arrest Max Selective Grass | Food plot grass control | 7.8/10 | Check price → |
 | Syngenta Fusilade II Herbicide | Grassy weeds in clover beds | 7.5/10 | Check price → |
 | SpeedZone EW Lawn Weed Killer | Fast cool-season knockdown | 7.2/10 | Check price → |
 | Bonide Weed Beater Ultra | All-season broadleaf mixes | 7.4/10 | Check price → |
Scroll sideways on small screens to see every column.
Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16: Best Overall for Buffalograss Lawns
Whitetail Institute Arrest Max Selective Grass: Best for Food Plots and Clover Beds
Syngenta Fusilade II Herbicide: Best for Grassy Weeds in Clover Beds
SpeedZone EW Lawn Weed Killer: Fastest-Acting Cool-Weather Knockdown
Bonide Weed Beater Ultra: Best All-Season Broadleaf Option
Buying Guide: Turf Type, Active Ingredient, Timing, and Coverage
Choosing a clover killer for buffalograss isn't like picking one for Kentucky bluegrass. The herbicide chemistry that works on cool-season turf can damage warm-season natives if you spray at the wrong time or pick the wrong ratio. Here's what actually matters.
Confirming Your Turf Type Before You Spray
Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a warm-season native that goes dormant and turns tan in cold weather, which is exactly when many homeowners mistake it for dead and start spraying whatever the garden center recommends. If your lawn is fully dormant in winter, you can use a non-selective glyphosate product on broadleaf weeds without harming the dormant buffalograss crowns. If your lawn is partially green or you're spraying in spring green-up, you need a selective product like the Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16, which is labeled for actively growing buffalograss.
The label matters more than brand reputation here. A product that lists "established warm-season turf" on the label has been tested for safety on grasses like buffalograss, zoysia, and bermuda. A product that only lists "cool-season turf" can yellow or thin buffalograss even at recommended rates.
For a deeper primer on warm-season turf care, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension publishes region-specific guidance for buffalograss management in the southern plains.
Matching Active Ingredient to Your Weed Problem
The four main herbicide chemistries you'll see for clover control each behave differently on buffalograss:
- Triclopyr (in the top Bonide pick) targets broadleaf plants specifically and has minimal grass activity, making it the safest choice for mixed lawns where you want to spare the turf.
- 2,4-D combined with dicamba (in SpeedZone EW and Weed Beater Ultra) is a faster-acting broadleaf killer but carries more risk of temporary discoloration during buffalograss transition periods.
- Clethodim and fluazifop (in Arrest Max and Fusilade II) do the opposite: they kill grasses and spare broadleaves, which only matters if your "weed" is actually bermuda or crabgrass invading a clover area.
- Glyphosate is non-selective and will kill anything green, including buffalograss, so it's only useful for spot treatment of weeds in a fully dormant lawn.
If you see clover as your main problem and the surrounding grass is what you want to keep, triclopyr or a three-way broadleaf blend at the right timing is the answer. If you see grass weeds where you want clover or broadleaf ornamentals, you flip to a grass-selective like Fusilade II.
Timing the Application for Best Results
Buffalograss and clover have different growth windows, and the overlap is when herbicides work best. Apply when clover is in full leaf and actively growing (soil temps 55°F to 80°F) but the buffalograss is also out of dormancy. Spring green-up and early fall are the sweet spots.
Avoid spraying when buffalograss is drought-stressed or in peak summer heat above 90°F, as uptake slows and the grass can't metabolize minor herbicide stress without showing damage.
Most clover killers need a 24 to 48 hour rain-free window after application to fully absorb. A surfactant (often called "spreader-sticker" at garden centers) improves leaf coverage and is required for the grass-selective products but optional for the broadleaf blends.
Coverage and Bottle Sizing
These five products vary widely in how much area a single bottle actually covers. The two Bonide concentrates both yield roughly 3,200 square feet of treated area from a 16-ounce bottle at standard mix rates. SpeedZone EW covers a similar range, while the small 4-ounce Fusilade II bottle covers about 4,000 square feet but at a higher cost per ounce.
The 8-ounce Arrest Max covers the most ground (around 8,000 square feet) because food plot rates are typically lower than lawn rates. For a typical quarter-acre residential lawn, plan on needing at least one refill bottle of any concentrate product to do the job properly.
To see how these factors play out on real picks, compare the Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16, Whitetail Institute Arrest Max Selective Grass and the Syngenta Fusilade II Herbicide reviewed above.
Who Should NOT Buy Best Selective Herbicide for Clover in Buffalo Grass
Selective clover herbicides are the wrong purchase for a few specific types of buyers. Here's who they are, and what to look at instead.
You Want to Keep the Clover
If you've decided clover is actually a feature, not a bug (it fixes nitrogen, stays green through summer drought, and feeds pollinators), then any "clover killer" is wasted money. The Whitetail Institute Arrest Max listed above is the inverse tool: it removes grass weeds from a clover stand without harming the clover. For a pure lawn that includes clover as a desired component, you need a grass-selective herbicide, not a broadleaf killer.
Your Lawn Isn't Actually Buffalograss
Buffalograss stays short (4 to 8 inches unmown), has a blue-green tint, and goes fully tan and dormant in winter. If your lawn is a darker green, stays green year-round, and grows upright, it's almost certainly bermuda, zoysia, or St. Augustine.
These warm-season grasses tolerate different herbicide chemistries than buffalograss, and what works on one can damage another. Confirm your turf species before buying, or you'll risk killing the lawn you're trying to save.
You're Spraying During Summer Drought or Dormancy
Buffalograss evolved to survive drought by going semi-dormant in extreme heat. If your lawn is currently tan or stressed from lack of water, any herbicide will sit on the leaves without being properly absorbed, and the buffalograss crowns can't recover from any minor chemical stress while dormant. Wait for cooler weather and active green-up before spraying, or plan to irrigate the lawn back to active growth first.
A dormant lawn in July is not a herbicide target.
Final Verdict
The Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16 is the best best selective herbicide for clover in buffalo grass for most homeowners. It's the only product in this roundup that puts clover on the label as a target weed and buffalograss on the label as a tolerant species, which removes the guesswork.
Want the fastest visual results and don't mind a slightly broader-spectrum product? The SpeedZone EW Lawn Weed Killer shows leaf curl within 24 hours and works in cooler temperatures, though it carries slightly more transition-period risk for buffalograss.
Need to evict bermuda or crabgrass from a buffalograss lawn instead of removing clover? The Syngenta Fusilade II Herbicide targets invasive grasses without harming your warm-season turf or any nearby broadleaf ornamentals.
Managing a deer food plot where clover is the crop and grass weeds are the problem? The Whitetail Institute Arrest Max is purpose-built for that exact scenario and won't touch your clover.
Dealing with mixed broadleaf pressure (clover plus dandelions, plantain, and more) across a wide temperature window? The Bonide Weed Beater Ultra gives you a single product for spring through fall applications.
If you're unsure whether buffalograss is actually your turf type, or you're spraying a fully dormant lawn in mid-July, jump back to the Who Should NOT Buy section before spending anything. The wrong product on the wrong grass at the wrong time is the most expensive mistake in lawn care.
FAQ
What's the best Selective Herbicide for Clover in Buffalo Grass overall?
The Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 16 is the strongest all-around pick. Its label names clover as a target weed and buffalograss as a tolerant turf species, which is a combination none of the other products in this roundup can claim.
When is the best time to spray clover in buffalograss?
Apply when both the clover and the buffalograss are actively growing, typically spring after green-up (soil temps above 60°F) or early fall before dormancy. Avoid summer heat above 90°F, drought stress, and the 2 to 3 weeks on either side of green-up or dormancy transitions. A 24 to 48 hour rain-free window after spraying is also important for full absorption.
Will clover killer damage my buffalograss?
Triclopyr-based products like the top Bonide pick are selective for broadleaf plants and have minimal grass activity, so they won't damage actively growing buffalograss at label rates. Three-way broadleaf blends containing 2,4-D and dicamba can cause temporary yellowing during transition periods, so timing matters more with those products. Always spot-test a small area if you're spraying a buffalograss variety you're unfamiliar with.
Can I use a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate on clover in buffalograss?
Only if the buffalograss is fully dormant (tan and not actively growing). Glyphosate kills any green plant tissue it contacts, including buffalograss crowns if they're not dormant. Dormant-season glyphosate application is a common technique in the southern plains, but it requires careful timing to avoid damaging the buffalograss as it breaks dormancy.
How long does it take to see results after spraying?
The fastest product in this roundup (SpeedZone EW) shows visible leaf curl in 12 to 24 hours and full kill in 7 to 14 days. Slower options like the triclopyr-based Bonide Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer take 7 to 10 days for initial symptoms and 2 to 3 weeks for complete kill. Cooler temperatures slow all of these products down.
Do I need a surfactant for clover herbicide?
The grass-selective products (Arrest Max and Fusilade II) require a non-ionic surfactant for full effectiveness, as their active ingredients have trouble penetrating waxy grass leaf surfaces without one. The broadleaf-killer products (the two Bonide picks and SpeedZone EW) work fine without a surfactant for most homeowner applications, though adding one can improve coverage on waxy or hairy clover leaves.
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