When it comes to post-emergent weed control for southern lawns, two popular big-box store options stand out: Image for Southern Lawns and Roundup for Lawns Southern. Many homeowners wonder which is the better choice for killing weeds in St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, and Bahia grasses without harming the turf.
Why Image for Southern Lawns is My Top Recommendation
Image for Southern Lawns is widely available at most big-box stores and, in our experience, is the best store-bought weed killer for homeowners. It’s essentially the same formula professionals use (known as Avenue South Herbicide), just rebranded for retail.
It’s safely labeled for:
- St. Augustine grass (including Floratam)
- Bermuda grass (including hybrids)
- Zoysia
- Centipede
- Bahia
Active Ingredients: Identical in Both Products
Both Image for Southern Lawns and Roundup for Lawns Southern contain the exact same active ingredients at the exact same concentrations:
- Penoxsulam: 0.14%
- Sulfentrazone: 0.14%
- 2,4-D, dimethylamine salt: 1.46%
- Dicamba, dimethylamine salt: 0.41%
They are chemically identical with same formula, same strength.
Application Rates and Flexibility: Where They Differ
While the formulas are the same, the labels provide different instructions.
Image for Southern Lawns – More Flexible Rates
Image offers variable application rates depending on grass type and weed pressure:
- Low rate: 5.3 oz per gallon per 1,000 sq ft
- High rate (for heavy infestations): Up to 8.6 oz per gallon per 1,000 sq ft
You can choose a rate in between if needed.
Image also allows flexible carrier volume:
- Standard: 1 gallon of mix covers 1,000 sq ft (ideal for most backpack sprayers and comfortable walking speed)
- Higher volume option: Up to 2 gallons per 1,000 sq ft for better coverage on heavily infested lawns (walk north-south, then east-west for thorough wetting)
This flexibility lets you spot spray light areas and blanket spray heavy “salad bar” lawns effectively.
Roundup for Lawns Southern – Limited to Low Rate Only
Roundup for Lawns Southern uses only the low rate:
- 5.3 oz per 1,000 sq ft (no higher rate allowed)
It also requires a minimum of 2 gallons of water per 1,000 sq ft, meaning lower concentration and mandatory higher volume application.
With a 4-gallon backpack sprayer, you’ll only cover 2,000 sq ft per fill (half the coverage of Image at standard volume).
This restriction likely reduces risk of turf injury but limits options for tougher weed situations.
Price Comparison: Image Wins Hands Down
Both products come in 32 oz (1 quart) bottles. Using the common low rate of 5.3 oz per 1,000 sq ft:
Image for Southern Lawns
- Price: $15.38
- Coverage per bottle: ~6,000 sq ft
- Cost per 1,000 sq ft: $2.56
Roundup for Lawns Southern
- Price: $19.97
- Coverage per bottle: ~6,000 sq ft
- Cost per 1,000 sq ft: $3.33
Image is significantly cheaper for the identical active ingredients.
Dormant Bermuda and Zoysia: Both Are Safe
Both labels note the product “may be applied to dormant bermudagrass and dormant zoysia grass.”
This does NOT mean it’s only for dormant turf. It means the product is safe on actively growing Bermuda and Zoysia AND can also be used during dormancy to control winter weeds like henbit, hairy bittercress, and Florida pusley, common invaders when the grass is brown and uncovered by snow.
Final Verdict: Go with Image for Southern Lawns
Since both products contain the same active ingredients at the same strength, but Image offers:
- More flexible (and higher) application rates
- Better carrier volume options
- Greater coverage per tank fill
- Significantly lower cost
…it’s the clear winner for warm-season lawn weed control.
Whether you’re spot spraying or tackling a heavy infestation, Image for Southern Lawns gives you more control and better value.
Comments
0 comments
Article is closed for comments.