Wild Violet is a flowering winter perennial weed that can quickly spread across a lawn if care isn't taken. The tiny flowers that appear on the stems of this low-growing weed may add some color to your yard, but the plant also competes with your turf for nutrients and water.
Read more below to discover our recommended ways to get rid of Wild Violet on your property.
Select a Post-Emergent Herbicide to Kill Wild Violet
When should I spray Wild Violet?
Once weeds like Wild Violet have appeared in your lawn, the best treatment is to apply a selective post-emergent herbicide containing 2,4-D or Dicamba that's labeled for controlling Wild Violet as early in the weed's life cycle as possible.
Selective post-emergent herbicides are formulated to attack the type of weed you are trying to remove without having significant effects on the plants around it.
Selective herbicides should be applied in the autumn months, before Wild Violet roots and rhizomes grow too thick or deep, to have the greatest impact on these young weeds. Multiple applications of a Wild Violet weed killer may be required if the Wild Violet weeds have had time to grow and establish their rhizomes and deep root networks on your property. Consult the label of your selective herbicide for details on how often to reapply.
Pro Tip
Select an herbicide that is labeled for your grass type to minimize the amount of damage to the turf surrounding the weed. Using an herbicide that is not labeled for your turf type may result in unwanted turf damage.
Products needed for Step 1
Apply Your Post-Emergent Herbicide
After you select a post-emergent herbicide labeled for Wild Violet, check the product label for mixing instructions. Add half a tank of water and your herbicide in a hand pump sprayer or backpack sprayer and agitate to combine, then fill the tank up the rest of the way to full. Be sure to wear the recommended PPE (Protective Personal Equipment) including long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes while mixing and applying.
After your mixture is complete, spray your post-emergent on the weed. The goal should be to cover all visible surfaces of the weed, but not to soak the plant to the point of there being product runoff.
Apply your herbicide during clear weather conditions with no rain in the forecast and when the wind is low. Herbicides usually need to dry for at least six hours before any rainfall to be effective.
Do not apply when temperatures are above 85 degrees; applying a herbicide in very hot weather may cause your turf to burn.
Products needed for Step 2
Reapply as Needed
It can take 7-10 days before you see any effect on the weeds and up to 3 weeks before the weeds fully die. Consult the label of your post-emergent herbicide for how often to reapply to be fully effective.
Be sure to properly dispose of any remaining herbicide mixture according to the product label and your state regulations. Mix only the amount needed for each application to eliminate waste and to avoid leaving unused solution in your sprayer.
Pro Tip
Hand-pulling Wild Violet weeds is not recommended as an effective control treatment because broken roots and rhizomes left in the soil can seed new weeds that will reappear soon if the removal was not complete.
Keeping your lawn healthy and treating it to make life harder for weeds is the best way to prevent an infestation. Click the right arrow below to read our guide on How to Stop Wild Violet from Growing.
If you have questions about selecting a product or removing Wild Violet from your lawn, give our lawn care experts a call at 866-581-7378 or email us at [email protected].