Still Using Roundup? Try These Non-Toxic Weed Killers Instead.

Weeds compete with our lawns and gardens for water, nutrients, and sunlight. And if left unchecked, they can crowd out the flowers, vegetables, and grass we actually want to grow.

The problem? Many conventional weed killers are toxic. They may get rid of weeds, but they also leave behind harmful residue in our soil, on our food, and in the environment, posing risks to wildlife and our families.

For decades, synthetic herbicides have been designed to wipe out everything in their path. But you don’t need harsh chemicals to keep your lawn and garden healthy.

Today, there are safer, organic, and eco-friendly weed killers that actually work. Below, I’ve rounded up some of the best store-bought options that are effective and non-toxic.

This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

If you want to get right to shopping, I’ve listed our recommended brands below. More information about toxic chemicals found in conventional weed killers and other info you might need is underneath the list of brands.

But, before I get into the list, you first need to identify if you’re looking for a selective or non-selective weed killer.

Selective vs. Non-Selective Weed Killers

Before you choose which weed killer is best for you, you need to decide if you want to use a “selective” or “non-selective” weed killer. Choosing the wrong one and applying it incorrectly could result in a lot of dead flowers, veggies, or grass!

Selective weed killer

If you’re going to be spraying weed killer over your lawn or wide swaths of your garden, a selective weed killer is best. This will ensure that the weeds are killed, but your lawn grass, flowers, and vegetables are not.

Non-selective weed killer

On the other hand, non-selective weed killers should only be used directly on the weeds you want to get rid of. 

I’ve included recommendations for both options so you can choose what’s best for you.

Contact vs. Systemic Weed Killers (And Why Some Require Repeated Applications)

Non-toxic weed killers are mostly contact-based, meaning they kill only the parts of the plant they touch (usually the leaves and stems). They work fast but don’t reach the roots, so weeds can regrow. That’s why repeated applications are often necessary, especially for tougher or deep-rooted weeds.

Systemic weed killers, on the other hand, are absorbed into the plant and travel to the roots, killing the entire plant. They’re more effective for long-term control but are slower to show results.

Since most non-toxic options are contact-based, persistence is key. If weeds return, it doesn’t mean the product failed—it just means the root system needs a second (or third) round. If you’re confused about whether the specific product you’re using is contact or systemic, don’t hesitate to check the directions or reach out to the company to get clarification.

ALL Weed Killers Should Be Used Carefully

One more thing to note: remember that any and all herbicides (even the safe & natural ones) are meant to kill things. All of them can have side effects if you use too much of them or if you use them improperly. It’s important that no matter which brand you choose, that you follow the manufacturer’s directions and use common sense.

The Best Organic, Non-Toxic, & Eco-Friendly Weed Killer Brands for Lawns & Gardens

There aren’t very many selective non-toxic or organic weed killers on the market, but here are the ones I recommend:

Sunday

A first-of-its-kind lawn care company, Sunday makes a line of lawn-safe weed killers that are made from eco-friendly ingredients. It can take care of things like:

• Dandelion
• Thistle
• Moss
• Speedwell species
• White clover
• Mustards
• Rust
• Snow mold
• Algae
• Lichens and more

Their two main weed control products are Dandelion Doom and Weed Warrior, both of which can be purchased as a concentrate or in a spot treatment spray bottle. You can also purchase a Starter Pack first and then get refills later.

The Dandelion Doom uses iron to kill weeds at their roots. The Weed Warrior, on the other hand, uses a type of soap made from fatty acids, which “eats away at the waxy coating that protects most green leafy growth from the elements.” You can learn more about Sunday’s different ingredients on their website.

In addition to their weed control products, Sunday also carries a variety of other glyphosate-free garden and lawn-care products, including fertilizers, pest controls, live plants, and more. If you want a more comprehensive approach to your lawn and garden care, they can help you set up a “Smart Lawn Plan.”

They’re also a member of 1% For the Planet (just like us!), meaning they give back a portion of their revenue to environmental non-profits.

Espoma Organic Weed Preventer

Espoma Organic Weed Preventer is one of the few organic weed killers available for lawns. It’s manufactured with a natural corn gluten meal that not only kills weeds but feeds the lawn. 

It’s a pre-emergent herbicide, which means it prevents the weeds from germinating on your lawn. So, it doesn’t kill established weeds. Apply it in the spring before weeds emerge for the best results.

Also, children and pets can walk on the grass right after applying it to your lawn.

On the environmental front, Espoma is approved for organic use by the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture; they have a certificate of Environmental Stewardship; and their 43,000 square foot manufacturing facility is 100% solar powered. 

Shop Espoma Organic Weed Preventer at:

Non-Selective Non-Toxic Weed Killers (Not for Widespread Use on Lawns)

The following weed killers are non-selective herbicides, which means they can damage any plants they come into contact with, including your lawn grass. These weed killers should be sprayed directly on the weeds you want to get rid of, in cracks in the driveway, etc.

Bonide Captain Jack’s Deadweed Brew

Captain Jack’s Deadweed Brew is a non-selective weed killer, which uses 44% caprylic acid and 36% capric acid. This is a good option for persistent weeds.

It works on a variety of broadleaf and grassy weeds, including both annual and perennial types, and it starts working within just a few hours. Once it dries, it’s waterproof, making it a solid choice for unpredictable weather days.

This product is approved for organic gardening and can be used in areas like driveways, sidewalks, fence lines, around mature trees, and more. It comes as a concentrate that you mix with water and apply using a hand-held or backpack sprayer.

Earth’s Ally

Earth’s Ally uses salt as its main weed-killing ingredient, and they combine it with other ingredients like vinegar and soap. It kills common weeds at the root including:

• Broadleaf
• Crabgrass
• Dandelion
• Clover
• Ivy
• Chickweed and more 

You can see it start working in about three hours so that you don’t end up over-spraying. Then after about a week, the weeds are completely dead.

They also have other organic lawn care and gardening products, including general plant spray, insect control, and disease control. They transparently list all of their ingredients right on their website.

Plus, not only are Earth’s Ally’s products “Bee Safe®”, but they even donate 5% of profits to pollinator conservation efforts.

Shop Earth’s Ally at:

BioSafe Weed & Grass Killer

BioSafe Weed & Grass Killer is a non-selective herbicidal soap made with ammonium nonanoate—a fast-acting, contact-based ingredient that kills weeds and grasses within hours.

It’s OMRI Listed, EPA-registered, and USDA certified for organic gardening, making it a great pick for eco-conscious gardeners.

This water-soluble concentrate starts working immediately by breaking down plant cells on contact. It won’t migrate through soil, so you don’t have to worry about harming nearby plants or future growth. In fact, you can replant just four days after application.

It’s safe for pets, people, and pollinators once dry, and is ideal for spot-treating garden beds, sidewalks, driveways, and other unwanted growth areas.

A little goes a long way: 2 oz. of concentrate treats up to 200 sq. ft.

Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed and Grass Killer

Naturally made from corn, Green Gobbler Weed Killer is an organic alternative to harsh, chemical herbicides. It advertises that it kills weeds starting within one hour and destroys all weeds within 24 hours.

Green Gobbler is certified organic and safe to use anywhere in your yard and garden. 

The phosphate- and glyphosate-free ingredients work on:

• Crabgrass
• Dandelions
• Nutsedge
• Moss and clover
• Plus other weeds.

The active ingredients in this herbicide are made from vinegar derived from corn. The product states that it’s four times stronger than household vinegar.

Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer

Natural Armor natural, organic weed and grass killer is also glyphosate-free. It kills over 250 types of weeds and grasses.

This herbicide formula is safe for your family, pets, wildlife, and groundwater. It comes ready to use, so there’s no messy mixing. Whether you want to kill weeds in your flower beds, around trees, on patios, or pathways, Natural Armor Weed Killer gives good results. 

The all-natural ingredients include:

• Vinegar
• lemon juice
• clove oil
• Glycerin
• sodium chloride
• citric acid and water 

Dr. Earth Final Stop Weed & Grass Killer

Dr. Earth Final Stop Weed & Grass Killer is an effective, organic weed killer. Its natural ingredients include:

• cinnamon oil
• clove oil
• rosemary oil
• sesame oil
• thyme oil
• and citric acid

It kills grasses and broadleaf weeds anywhere they grow. This organic herbicide formula is safe for pets, wildlife, people, and the environment.

Dr. Earth is non-GMO, pathogen-free, and chicken manure free. They collect human-grade ingredients from supermarkets and farms and upcycle would-be food grade waste into premium fertilizers and soils. In partnership with OceanBound, Dr. Earth helps to recover ocean-bound plastic and estimates they remove 10 million pounds of would-be ocean plastic annually.

ECO Garden Pro Weed and Grass Killer

All of the ingredients in this natural weed killer are safe for children, pets, wildlife, bees, and fish. Some of the weeds this product eliminates are:

• Dandelions
• Chickweed
• Crabgrass
• Moss
• And other common weeds.

Eco Garden Pro kills weeds and roots within 24 hours using the active ingredients vinegar and sodium chloride. 

The all-natural, organic ingredients are not only non-toxic but also biodegradable and safe for groundwater. It’s an eco-friendly weed solution for flower gardens, sidewalks, and driveways.

Natural Elements Weed Killer

Natural Elements eco-friendly weed killer is safe for your family, pets, and wildlife. The formula doesn’t contain any chemical herbicides and it’s a ready-to-use weed killer. 

The ingredients in Natural Elements are:

• Vinegar
• Sodium chloride
• and sodium lauryl sulfate (be careful—this is a surfactant that can be irritating to sensitive skin, especially for those with eczema)

Finalsan Total Vegetation Killer

Finalsan is a fast-acting, non-selective herbicide made from ammoniated soap of fatty acids. It’s OMRI Listed for organic use and offers a safer, glyphosate-free alternative for controlling a wide range of weeds, grasses, moss, and algae.

This biodegradable formula works by breaking down plant cell walls, causing visible wilting in just a few hours. While it doesn’t kill roots, it’s highly effective on contact and rainfast within 3 hours. Use it on driveways, sidewalks, patios, borders, fence lines, raised beds, and more. It can be applied in both cool and warm weather and is safe for pets and people once dry.

Finalsan is best for spot treatments on hard-to-kill or persistent weeds like:

• Dandelion
• Chickweed
• Lamb’s-quarters
• Crabgrass
• Plantain
• Shepherd’s purse
• Algae and moss

Better Yet: Pull Weeds Out By Hand!

The least toxic thing you can do to get rid of your weeds is to pull them out manually! Grab some gardening gloves, your hori hori knife or Grandpa’s tool, and get pulling. That way, you don’t even have to worry about whether the ingredients in your weed killer spray are safe or not!

How to Use Non-Toxic Weed Killers Effectively

Even the safest weed killer needs to be used properly to work well. Here’s how to get the most out of the non-toxic brands listed in this guide:

☀️ Apply on a sunny, dry day.
Non-toxic sprays (especially vinegar or salt-based ones) work best in full sun. Avoid applying before rain, which can wash them away.

🌱 Target young weeds.
These products are most effective on young, actively growing weeds. The smaller the weed, the easier it is to kill.

💦 Spray thoroughly.
Coat the leaves and stems completely, but avoid nearby grass or plants you want to keep. For selective options like Sunday’s Weed Warrior, you can be a bit more broad with your application.

🔁 Reapply as needed.
Most non-toxic weed killers are contact-based, so deep-rooted weeds may regrow. Apply again after a few days if needed.

⏰ Use pre-emergents early.
Espoma’s Organic Weed Preventer won’t kill existing weeds—it stops seeds from sprouting. Apply in early spring for best results.

🏠 Spot treat problem areas.
These products work well on weeds in hard-to-reach spots like cracks in driveways or along walkways.

🧘 Be patient.
Non-toxic weed control is about managing, not total eradication. With consistency, you’ll see results—without the toxic side effects.

Toxic Ingredients Common in Weed Killers

Despite the benefits of applying chemical weed killers, the harmful effects on the environment, your plants and vegetables, and your family are a real concern. 

Let’s look at a few of the toxic herbicide ingredients that can be hazardous to your family and the wildlife in your backyard:

Atrazine

Banned in 44 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, atrazine is the second-most widely used pesticide in the US.

There are plenty of human and mammal studies showing atrazine is an endocrine-disruptor, and research links it to other health concerns as well, including birth defects, cancer, and more.

2,4-D

Despite the fact that it’s still used in parks, athletic fields, and on crops, dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (aka 2,4-D) is listed as a “possible human carcinogen” by the IARC and it is suspected to be an endocrine-disruptor.

Long-term exposure is associated with liver and kidney damage, and short-term acute exposure can cause things like severe burning in the throat and chest, skin rash, vomiting, and more.

It is banned in countries like Denmark, Norway, and certain provinces in Canada.

Dicamba

According to the EPA, dicamba is deemed unlikely to cause cancer; however, certain studies have indicated a higher cancer risk among dicamba users. Additionally, exposure to dicamba has been associated with greater likelihood of developing hypothyroidism.

In 2020, a federal court ordered Bayer/Monsanto and other producers to stop selling dicamba-based herbicides. However, the EPA is effectively ignoring this court order and was sued because of it. 

In February 2024, a federal judge in Arizona issued a ban on dicamba-based herbicides produced by three companies, citing unlawful approval by the EPA. This decision marked the second instance of a federal court banning dicamba herbicides since their introduction for the 2017 growing season.

Glyphosate

I’m sure you’ve heard about glyphosate. It was first used in Roundup in 1974, and since then, many herbicides have started using glyphosate.

Glyphosate is a controversial one, to say the least. Maybe in the future, we’ll do a deep dive into the rabbit hole that is Monsanto/Bayer and their legal battles over glyphosate, but for now, I’ll just say that I do not recommend it as a non-toxic choice. 

Glyphosate was listed as a probable carcinogen by the IARC and Monsanto has paid billions of dollars in damages in lost court cases in recent years. (I recommend subscribing to Carey Gillam’s Substack, UnSpun, to stay updated on the current lawsuits against the chemical giant.)

Despite the fact that they keep arguing that it’s “safe,” Bayer/Monsanto said that it would pull glyphosate-based roundup from the shelves in 2023 so that it would no longer be available to consumers. Not only is it taking them longer than they said it would to do that, but the chemicals they’re replacing glyphosate with are not any better. In fact, they may be worse.

There are also some other herbicides that combine the ingredients above. Enlist Duo, for example, combines glyphosate and 2,4D.

Then there are some other toxic herbicides that are commonly used in agriculture and by professional landscapers, but are not approved for at-home use by consumers including paraquat.

Active vs. Inert Ingredients: Which Are Responsible for Harm?

When we think about the risks of weed killers, we tend to focus on the “active” chemicals—the ones actually intended to kill weeds. But in many cases, it’s actually the “adjuvants” (or so-called “inert” ingredients) that are responsible for much of the harm.

Active ingredients are the main weed-killing compounds. For example, glyphosate or vinegar. They’re designed to disrupt plant growth, dry out leaves, or block photosynthesis. These are the ingredients usually listed on the label and often tested for toxicity.

Adjuvants, on the other hand, are added to improve the product’s performance. They help the spray stick to leaves, penetrate the plant’s surface, or resist being washed away by rain. But these so-called “inactive” ingredients aren’t always harmless. In fact, some adjuvants are more toxic than the active chemicals themselves. Like PFAS, for example.

For another example, certain surfactants used with glyphosate have been linked to respiratory issues and hormone disruption, even though they’re not the main ingredient. Yet they’re often not disclosed on the label, making it harder for consumers to assess risk.

The takeaway: Just because a weed killer has a known active ingredient doesn’t mean that’s the only thing to watch out for. Adjuvants can carry their own health and environmental hazards, and unfortunately, they’re often hidden behind vague terms like “inert ingredients” or “proprietary blend.” When possible, choose products with full ingredient transparency.

Organic, Natural, and Non-Toxic Weed Killers Are Not Synonymous

I’ve used these terms in a relatively general sense, but it might be worth clarifying that they don’t really mean the same thing.

Organic weed killers are made with ingredients that meet specific standards set by organizations like the USDA or OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute). These products are approved for use in organic gardening and farming.

Natural simply means the ingredients are derived from natural sources rather than synthetically made. But this term isn’t regulated—so a product labeled “natural” might still contain ingredients that are irritating, allergenic, or environmentally harmful. It’s more about where the ingredient comes from, not necessarily how safe it is.

Non-toxic focuses on safety—for people, pets, pollinators, and the environment. These products avoid harmful synthetic and natural ingredients alike. However, the term “non-toxic” isn’t strictly regulated either, so it’s important to read ingredient lists and look for third-party certifications or transparent testing when available.

Bottom line:

• Organic is about meeting specific standards for agricultural use.
• Natural refers to ingredient sources.
• Non-toxic is about overall safety.

Ideally, look for products that check more than one box: safe, effective, and transparent about what’s inside.

Organic and Non-Toxic Herbicides You Have at Home

If you’re looking to DIY a weed killer, here are some ingredients that can be effective:

• Vinegar
• Salt
• Clove oil
• Cinnamon
• Rosemary
• Corn gluten
• Citric acid/oil

Considering these are fairly common ingredients that you likely have at home already, you might want to try and make your own recipe.

However, if you don’t want to go through that effort, there are natural lawn care brands that have tested and perfected their own formulations using various combinations and ratios of the above ingredients. 

The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) reviews organic weed killers. You can research products at OMRI to see the products they say are organic.

The wall of weed killers you’ll run into at any home maintenance can be overwhelming and after a while they all look the same. But if you want to keep your family, your pets, and the environment safe from toxic ingredients you’ll need to look a little deeper. Whether you decide you want to DIY a non-toxic weed killer or not, I hope this article has armed you with the information to help you make the best decision for you. 

This article was originally written by Karen C. and has been edited by Abbie Davidson and Jeanne Yacoubou.