A strong grass-only herbicide targets unwanted grasses while fitting the plants or surface you need to protect, making it useful for gardeners, landscapers, and food-plot growers. Monterey Grass Getter leads this group for broad use around ornamentals, ground covers, shrubs, and vegetables, and its listed exclusions make clear that it is not a broadleaf or nutsedge treatment. The six products here are not interchangeable: several are intended for landscape beds and planted areas, one is specifically developed for perennial food plots, and others are labeled for turf.
Compare each product’s stated use before choosing, and consult its full label for compatible plants, application rates, and precautions. A grass-selective product can still be the wrong fit for a particular lawn, planting, or weed.
Monterey Grass Getter is the best overall fit for someone seeking a selective herbicide for unwanted grass around varied plantings. It is listed for bedding plants, ornamentals, ground covers, shrubs, and vegetables, and targets annual and perennial grasses including crabgrass and Bermudagrass. Its stated limits matter: it does not control nutsedge, annual bluegrass, or broadleaf weeds, and the label says not to use it in lawn areas.
Choose a turf-labeled product instead when treating a lawn.
Our Top Picks
Best OverallTargets annual and perennial grasses around ornamentals, ground covers, shrubs, and vegetables; its included measuring spoon supports measured mixing.
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Best for Landscape BedsDesigned for landscape beds and listed for over-the-top application to more than 400 labeled ornamental species and varieties.
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Best Garden OptionA selective post-emergent grass herbicide listed for use around vegetables, gardens, trees, shrubs, and ornamentals; 8 ounces makes 8 gallons.
View on Amazon- Best for Food Plots Whitetail Institute Arrest Max
Compare These Grass Herbicides by Use
| # | Product | Form | Weight | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1. Monterey Grass GetterBest Overall | Liquid | — | View on Amazon |
| 2 | 2. Gordon's Ornamec 170Best for Landscape Beds | Spray | 2 lb | View on Amazon |
| 3 | 3. Hi-Yield Grass KillerBest Garden Option | Liquid | 8 oz | View on Amazon |
| 4 |  4. Whitetail Institute Arrest MaxBest for Food Plots | Spray | 8 oz | View on Amazon |
| 5 |  5. Quali-Pro MSM TurfOrnamental turf applications | Liquid | 8 oz | View on Amazon |
| 6 |  6. BASF Drive XLR8Turf with extended residual | Liquid | 4.2 lb | View on Amazon |
Detailed Reviews: Best Herbicide For Grass Only
#1 · Best Overall
1. Monterey Grass Getter
- Form: Liquid
Best for: Ornamental-bed grass control.
Why it ranks #1: Targets annual and perennial grasses around ornamentals, ground covers, shrubs, and vegetables; its included measuring spoon supports measured mixing.
Postemergence control of annual and hard-to-kill perennial grasses is the defining feature of Monterey Grass Getter, giving gardeners a targeted option for grassy weeds among bedding plants, ornamentals, ground covers, shrubs, and vegetables. Its systemic action also covers listed problem grasses such as crabgrass, Bermudagrass, and quackgrass.
The included measuring spoon supports measuring this 8-ounce liquid for application, while its postemergence use targets grass that is already actively growing. That makes it a fit for beds and plantings where listed grassy weeds have emerged, rather than a lawn treatment: the product information explicitly says not to use it in lawn areas. Apply in warm, sunny weather as directed on the label. Its stated limits matter: it does not control nutsedge, annual bluegrass, or broadleaf weeds.
- Targets annual and hard-to-kill perennial grasses
- Lists crabgrass, Bermudagrass, foxtail, goosegrass, Johnsongrass, and quackgrass among controlled grasses
- For use around bedding plants, ornamentals, ground covers, shrubs, and vegetables
- Includes a measuring spoon
- Does not control nutsedge, annual bluegrass, or broadleaf weeds.
Skip it if you need lawn treatment or control of nutsedge, annual bluegrass, or broadleaf weeds; Monterey says not to use it on lawns.
Choose Monterey Grass Getter for actively growing grassy weeds in ornamental beds, shrubs, ground covers, or vegetable plantings. It is not a lawn herbicide, and its listed exclusions rule it out for nutsedge, annual bluegrass, or broadleaf problems.
Full product details
| Brand | Monterey |
|---|---|
| Included Components | Measuring Spoon |
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Manufacturer | Monterey |
| Model Number | LG 5328 |
Listed on Amazon as: Monterey Grass Getter Herbicide, 8 oz with Measuring Spoon
View on Amazon#2 · Best for Landscape Beds
2. Gordon's Ornamec 170
- Form: Spray
- Weight: 2 lb
Best for: Landscape-bed maintenance.
Why it ranks #2: Designed for landscape beds and listed for over-the-top application to more than 400 labeled ornamental species and varieties.
Over-the-top application across more than 400 labeled species and varieties of ornamentals sets Gordon's Ornamec 170 apart for landscape-bed maintenance. Its listed settings include groundcovers, shrubs, trees, landscape and ornamental beds, and fence lines, helping target actively growing grass weeds among established plantings.
The 32-ounce bottle contains a spray formulation with 1.70% fluazifop-P-butyl, and the listed mixing rate is 10 ounces per gallon of water. That mix-and-spray workflow suits gardeners treating grass weeds across landscape areas rather than seeking a ready-to-use container. The description says more than 400 labeled ornamental species and varieties may receive over-the-top applications without plant injury; follow directions and treat grasses before they exceed recommended growth stages.
- Can be applied in and around ornamental plants, groundcovers, shrubs, and trees
- Listed for landscape beds, ornamental beds, and fence lines
- Over-the-top treatment is described for more than 400 labeled ornamental species and varieties
- Mixing rate is listed as 10 ounces per gallon of water
- Grass weeds must be treated before they exceed the recommended growth stages.
Skip it if you want a ready-to-use product or cannot mix and spray; Hi-Yield Grass Killer is supplied as a liquid concentrate that makes 8 gallons of solution.
Ornamec 170 fits gardeners maintaining ornamental landscapes with grass weeds among labeled plantings, especially across beds, shrubs, trees, or fence lines. Its use involves mixing and applying at the proper growth stage, so follow the product directions closely.
Full product details
| Brand | PBI / Gordon |
|---|---|
| Included Components | 1 32 oz bottle |
| Item Form | Spray |
| Item Weight | 2 pounds |
| Manufacturer | PBI GORDON |
| Model Number | GD6771086 |
| Additional Information | Important information Safety Information Use with caution around ornamentals, follow provided instructions for application. Directions Spray ornamentals over-the-top, apply to actively growing grass weeds before they exceed the recommended growth stages on the label, and follow the instructions provided on the product label. |
Listed on Amazon as: Gordon's Ornamec 170 Grass Herbicide, 32 Ounces
View on Amazon#3 · Best Garden Option
3. Hi-Yield Grass Killer
- Form: Liquid
- Weight: 8 oz
Best for: Small concentrate for gardens.
Why it ranks #3: A selective post-emergent grass herbicide listed for use around vegetables, gardens, trees, shrubs, and ornamentals; 8 ounces makes 8 gallons.
An 8-ounce concentrate that makes 8 gallons of spray solution gives Hi-Yield Grass Killer a compact storage footprint with substantial stated mix volume. This selective postemergence herbicide targets grass growth around vegetables, gardens, trees, shrubs, and ornamentals, making it suited to mixed plantings.
The liquid concentrate stops growth of weed grasses two days following application, according to the supplied features, so buyers have a stated early progress marker after treating actively growing weeds. Its use around vegetables, gardens, trees, shrubs, and ornamentals supports targeted work in planting areas rather than a broad lawn-only approach. Because application varies by dimension and method, consult the label for the right application instructions; the listing does not provide a single universal application rate.
- Selective post-emergent herbicide targets grass growth
- Can be applied around vegetables and gardens
- Also listed for use around trees, shrubs, and ornamentals
- Eight-ounce concentrate makes 8 gallons of spray solution
- Application varies by area and method, so the listing does not give one universal application rate.
Skip it if you need a single listed rate for every treatment area; Gordon's Ornamec 170 lists a mixing rate of 10 ounces per gallon of water.
Hi-Yield suits gardeners who want a compact concentrate for postemergence grass treatment around edible and ornamental plantings. Its stated mix volume is useful for planning, but application depends on area and method, so check the label instructions before mixing.
Full product details
| Brand | Hi-Yield |
|---|---|
| Included Components | Grass Killer Postemergence Grass Herbicide |
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | VPG |
| Model Number | 31134 |
| Additional Information | Important Information Proposition 65 Warning for California Consumers WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm – www.P65Warnings.ca.gov |
Listed on Amazon as: Hi-Yield (31134) Grass Killer Postemergence Grass Herbicide, 8 oz
View on Amazon#4 · Best for Food Plots
4. Whitetail Institute Arrest Max
- Form: Spray
- Weight: 8 oz
Best for: Clover and alfalfa food plots.
Why it ranks #4: Specifically developed for food plots and listed as safe for perennial forages, clover, and alfalfa plantings.
Compatibility with Whitetail Institute perennial forages and other clover or alfalfa plantings makes Arrest Max specifically suited to grass control in deer food plots. Its listed control spans a broad range of annual and perennial grasses, helping protect those plantings while targeting grasses that are actively growing.
Arrest Max is a selective grass herbicide developed for food plots, and the supplied facts say it is safe for Whitetail Institute perennial forages as well as other clover or alfalfa plantings. Apply when grasses are actively growing in spring or summer; treating grasses in early growth stages can eliminate the need for follow-up applications, according to the product information. Its 8-ounce spray formulation suits targeted plot treatment, but the listed crop compatibility is the key fit consideration.
- Specifically developed for food plots
- Controls a broad range of annual and perennial grasses
- Listed as safe with Whitetail Institute perennial forages
- Can be used with other clover or alfalfa plantings
- The supplied compatibility information names perennial forages, clover, and alfalfa, not general lawn or ornamental plantings.
Skip it if you are treating an ordinary lawn or ornamental beds rather than a food plot; Monterey Grass Getter is listed for ornamental and vegetable plantings.
Arrest Max is a match for food-plot managers protecting clover, alfalfa, or Whitetail Institute perennial forages from actively growing grasses. Its stated fit centers on those plantings, so choose it for food plots rather than assuming general lawn compatibility.
Full product details
| Brand | Whitetail Institute |
|---|---|
| Included Components | Whitetail Institute Arrest Max Herbicide |
| Item Form | Spray |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Whitetail Institute of North America |
| Model Number | AM1P |
| Warranty Description | 1-Year Warranty |
Listed on Amazon as: Whitetail Institute Arrest Max Selective Grass Control Herbicide Specifically Developed for Deer Food Plots, 8 oz
View on Amazon#5
5. Quali-Pro MSM Turf
- Form: Liquid
- Weight: 8 oz
Best for: Ornamental turf applications.
Why it ranks #5: Formulated for ornamental turf, including residential lawns and golf-course areas, but its stated control includes both broadleaf and grassy weeds.
Quali-Pro MSM Turf is specified for both broadleaf and grassy weed control on ornamental turf, connecting its use to lawns, parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and sod farms. That range of turf settings makes it a candidate for maintained grass areas where the target problem includes more than grassy weeds.
The listed application settings include residential lawns as well as parks, cemeteries, golf course fairways, aprons, tees and roughs, and sod farms. That range helps turf managers assess whether their maintained site is within the stated use category. The 8-ounce liquid formulation is presented as a high-quality formulation for broadleaf and grassy weed control on ornamental turf. The supplied information directs users to the product label for the complete list, so confirm the labeled site and weeds before use.
- Targets broadleaf and grassy weeds on ornamental turf
- Listed for residential lawns, parks, and cemeteries
- Golf course settings include fairways, aprons, tees, and roughs
- Also listed for sod farms
- Its stated use is ornamental turf, not ornamental beds or other non-turf plantings.
Skip it if you need grass control among shrubs or groundcovers rather than turf; Gordon's Ornamec 170 is listed for landscape beds and ornamental plantings.
Quali-Pro MSM Turf fits people managing ornamental turf who need a product described for both grassy and broadleaf weeds across residential and maintained commercial sites. Its listed use is turf-specific, so it is not the match for grass in landscape beds.
Full product details
| Brand | Control Solutions |
|---|---|
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Quali-Pro |
| Model Number | MSM Turf 8 |
Listed on Amazon as: Quali-Pro MSM Turf Herbicide 8oz
View on Amazon#6
6. BASF Drive XLR8
- Form: Liquid
- Weight: 4.2 lb
Best for: Turf with extended residual.
Why it ranks #6: A lawn-and-turf crabgrass product that also controls broadleaf weeds, so it is less aligned with a grass-only treatment need.
Up to 30 days of residual control is the defining promise of BASF Drive XLR8, reducing the need for frequent repeat applications in turfgrass. Its water-based formulation is described as supporting faster plant uptake, while rainfastness in less than an hour can help fit treatment into changing outdoor conditions.
This 64-ounce liquid concentrate is identified for lawn and turf, and its broad-spectrum control covers grassy and broadleaf weeds rather than grass alone. The up-to-30-day residual period may reduce how often turf needs another application, while rainfastness in less than an hour offers a shorter weather window after treatment. The water-based formulation is described as enabling faster uptake. Mix and apply according to the product directions, taking care with this herbicide around children and pets.
- For lawn and turf use
- Targets grassy and broadleaf weeds
- Offers up to 30 days of residual control
- Rainfast in less than an hour
- Controls broadleaf weeds as well as grasses, so it is not grass-only control.
Skip it if you need grass-only treatment among ornamentals or vegetables; Monterey Grass Getter is listed for those plantings and says it does not control broadleaf weeds.
Drive XLR8 is a fit for turf owners seeking grassy and broadleaf weed control with a stated residual period and quick rainfastness. It is not a grass-only option, so consider its broad-spectrum weed targets when selecting a lawn treatment.
Full product details
| Brand | BASF |
|---|---|
| Included Components | 1 bottle |
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Item Weight | 4.2 pounds |
| Manufacturer | BASF |
| Model Number | AMDRIVEXLR |
Listed on Amazon as: BASF Drive XLR8 Crabgrass Killer for Lawn & Turf, Post Emergent Grassy & Broadleaf Weed Control, Active Ingredient Quinclorac, 30 Day Residual, Herbicide, Concentrate 64 Ounce
View on AmazonAvoid the lawn-versus-planting-bed mismatch
The most consequential mistake is applying a product to the wrong kind of growing area. Monterey Grass Getter says not to use it in lawn areas, even though it is a selective grass killer around vegetables, shrubs, and ornamentals. Gordon’s Ornamec 170 is likewise presented for landscape beds, fence lines, and ornamental plantings rather than as a general lawn treatment.
By contrast, BASF Drive XLR8 and Quali-Pro MSM Turf are explicitly described for lawn or ornamental turf settings, but both include broadleaf weed control in their stated scope. That distinction matters if you need to preserve desirable turfgrass while removing grassy weeds: a product described as a turf herbicide is not automatically a grass-only selective treatment.
Match the label’s treatment site and target weeds before application, and do not infer compatibility from the word selective alone.
Grass targets are not all the same
A product that controls one troublesome grass may not control every grass-like weed. Monterey Grass Getter lists crabgrass, Bermudagrass, foxtail, goosegrass, Johnsongrass, and quackgrass, but specifically says it will not control nutsedge or annual bluegrass. The other product descriptions also call out broad groups such as annual and perennial grasses without supplying a complete target list in the provided details.
This creates a practical identification trap: choosing by a general phrase such as grass killer may leave the actual weed untreated. Identify the weed as accurately as possible, then verify that exact target on the product label.
Also distinguish unwanted grasses from desirable grass crops or turf; products intended for clover and alfalfa food plots, landscape ornamentals, and turf have different use contexts. Label directions, not bottle size or broad category wording, determine whether a product fits.
How to Choose a Grass-Only Herbicide
Treatment site and plants to protect
Start by matching the treatment site to the label and the plants you want to preserve. Monterey Grass Getter is listed for bedding plants, ornamentals, ground covers, shrubs, and vegetables, but its safety information says not to use it in lawn areas. Gordon’s Ornamec 170 is designed for landscape beds and is described for over-the-top use on more than 400 labeled ornamental species and varieties.
Whitetail Institute Arrest Max is specifically for food plots and is listed as safe with clover and alfalfa plantings. Turf-focused options include BASF Drive XLR8 and Quali-Pro MSM Turf.
Garden and ornamental growers should favor products labeled for those settings; lawn managers should choose a turf-labeled option and check whether its broader weed control fits.
Target weeds and selectivity
Look for a listed match to the weed you need to control, and check whether the formula also targets broadleaf weeds. Monterey Grass Getter names several annual and perennial grasses, including crabgrass and Bermudagrass, but excludes nutsedge, annual bluegrass, and broadleaf weeds. BASF Drive XLR8 is described as controlling grassy and broadleaf weeds, while Quali-Pro MSM Turf is also listed for both broadleaf and grassy weed control.
Whitetail Institute Arrest Max describes broad control of annual and perennial grasses for food plots. These differences favor Monterey for a grass-only target in compatible non-lawn plantings, while a buyer needing broader weed control may consider a turf-labeled product.
Confirm the precise weed and protected plants on the label before deciding.
Concentrate size and application format
Choose a format and quantity that suit the area and mixing directions, without assuming bottle volume alone predicts coverage. The listed options range from 8-ounce liquids such as Monterey Grass Getter, Hi-Yield Grass Killer, and Quali-Pro MSM Turf to Gordon’s Ornamec 170 at 32 ounces and BASF Drive XLR8 at 64 ounces. Hi-Yield states that its 8-ounce concentrate makes 8 gallons of spray solution; Ornamec gives a mixing rate of 10 ounces per gallon in its listing.
Monterey includes a measuring spoon, while the other entries do not list one. Smaller containers may suit limited or occasional treatments, while larger bottles may better match repeated or broader applications.
Always use the label’s rate and coverage directions rather than extrapolating from volume.
Which Grass-Only Herbicide Should I Choose?
For unwanted grass around garden plants, shrubs, or ornamentals, choose Monterey Grass Getter, the strongest general fit among these options; avoid it for lawns and remember its stated exclusions. For landscape beds with a wide variety of ornamentals, Gordon’s Ornamec 170 is a more specialized alternative, with over-the-top use described for more than 400 labeled ornamental species and varieties. Gardeners wanting a smaller concentrate with a stated mix yield can consider Hi-Yield Grass Killer, which makes 8 gallons from its 8-ounce bottle.
For clover or alfalfa food plots, Whitetail Institute Arrest Max is the purpose-built choice. If the target is a lawn, compare the turf-labeled BASF Drive XLR8 and Quali-Pro MSM Turf carefully: both include broadleaf weed control, not just grass control.
Related Buying Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a grass-selective herbicide be used on every type of lawn?
No. Check the product label for approved sites before treating turf. Monterey Grass Getter is not labeled for lawn areas, so it is unsuitable for that use.
For lawns, choose a turf-labeled product, such as BASF Drive XLR8 or Quali-Pro MSM Turf, and follow its directions.
When should I apply a grass herbicide for best results?
Apply it when the target weeds and site match the product label’s directions. Labels provide the relevant timing and use instructions, so check them before spraying rather than relying on a single schedule for every product. Identify the weed first, and do not apply a product to an unlisted site.
How can I protect nearby desirable plants when spraying grass weeds?
Keep the spray on the target grass and follow the label’s application instructions. Avoid contacting desirable plants, and take care around plantings the product is not labeled to treat. Check whether the label permits use around your specific plants and site before applying; do not assume every selective herbicide is suitable.
Can Monterey Grass Getter control nutsedge or broadleaf weeds?
No. Its stated exclusions include nutsedge, annual bluegrass, and broadleaf weeds. It targets annual and perennial grasses, including crabgrass and Bermudagrass, but is not a lawn treatment.
Confirm that the weed and location are covered by the label before choosing it for garden beds or other plantings.
Which option is intended for clover or alfalfa food plots?
Whitetail Institute Arrest Max is the purpose-built choice among these products for clover or alfalfa food plots. For other settings, match the product to the site: Monterey Grass Getter is the general fit around varied plantings, while the listed BASF and Quali-Pro products are labeled for turf.
Final Words
Choose by treatment site and target weed, not by the broad promise of grass control. Monterey Grass Getter is the strongest general fit for unwanted grass around garden plants, shrubs, and ornamentals, but its label excludes lawns, nutsedge, annual bluegrass, and broadleaf weeds. For lawns, compare the turf-labeled BASF Drive XLR8 and Quali-Pro MSM Turf; choose Arrest Max for clover or alfalfa food plots.