Does Baking Soda Kill Grass?

Does Baking Soda Kill Grass?

Generally no – baking soda is too mild to kill established grass. Heavy, concentrated applications can cause temporary browning and stress, but healthy grass usually recovers. If you’re asking because you want to kill unwanted grass, baking soda isn’t effective. If you’re asking because you’re worried about accidental lawn damage, occasional light exposure shouldn’t cause permanent harm.

Why Grass Survives Baking Soda

Grass biology explains why baking soda rarely causes permanent damage:

Growth points are protected. Grass grows from the crown at soil level, not from leaf tips. Even if baking soda damages visible blades, the growing points and root system remain unaffected and can produce new growth.

Baking soda is mildly alkaline. With a pH around 8.3, sodium bicarbonate is far gentler than many lawn treatments. Most grass species tolerate this level of alkalinity without serious harm.

Rain dilutes quickly. Baking soda is water-soluble. The next rainfall washes it into the soil where it’s diluted to negligible concentrations.

Grass is resilient. Lawn grasses are evolved to withstand grazing, trampling, and environmental stress. A mild alkaline powder is less challenging than a hot summer drought.

When Baking Soda Can Damage Grass

While baking soda rarely kills grass, certain situations increase the risk of damage:

Heavy, concentrated application. Dumping large amounts of baking soda in one spot can overwhelm grass blades and cause temporary browning. The concentration matters more than the substance.

Repeated applications. Using baking soda on the same area repeatedly without rain to wash it away can build up to damaging levels.

Stressed grass. Lawns already struggling from drought, disease, or poor nutrition are more vulnerable to any additional stress, including baking soda.

Very young grass. Newly seeded lawns or recently laid turf haven’t established proper root systems yet. They’re more sensitive to any chemical contact.

If You’re Trying to Kill Grass

Some people search this question hoping to kill grass in unwanted areas – paving cracks, gravel drives, or areas they want to convert to borders. Baking soda isn’t effective for this purpose:

Too mild to kill roots. Even if baking soda browns grass blades, the root system and growing crown typically survive. Fresh growth emerges within weeks.

Inconsistent results. You might get patchy browning, but complete kill is unlikely. You’ll end up with damaged-looking grass that recovers rather than cleared ground.

Better options exist. For killing unwanted grass, glyphosate-based weedkiller is far more effective. It travels to roots and kills the entire plant. For stubborn grass problems, commercial strength herbicides deliver reliable results.

If You’re Worried About Accidental Damage

Perhaps you’ve spilled baking soda on your lawn or used it nearby and are worried about damage. Here’s what to expect:

Light spills: No action needed. Rain will dilute and wash it away. Grass will be fine.

Moderate spills: Water the area to dilute and wash baking soda into the soil. Any browning should be temporary.

Heavy spills: Scrape up excess, water thoroughly, and monitor. Some temporary browning may occur but grass usually recovers within a few weeks.

Comparing to Other Substances

How does baking soda compare to other homemade weed killer ingredients people accidentally (or intentionally) apply to lawns?

Baking soda: Mild, temporary damage possible with heavy application. Usually safe.

Salt: Far more damaging. Can kill grass and poison soil for months or years. Avoid on lawns.

Vinegar: Can burn grass blades on contact but grass usually recovers from roots. More damaging than baking soda.

Bleach: Damages grass on contact. Kills soil microorganisms. More harmful than baking soda.

Fertiliser overdose: Often more damaging than baking soda. Concentrated fertiliser causes “burn” that can kill grass patches.

For removing grass from patios or driveways, long-lasting weed killers work far better than kitchen ingredients.

Better Lawn Care Approaches

Rather than worrying about baking soda, focus on what actually helps your lawn:

Regular feeding. Lawn feed applied at the right times keeps grass thick and healthy, naturally crowding out weeds.

Proper mowing height. Don’t cut too short – longer grass shades out weed seedlings and develops deeper roots.

Address weeds properly. If you have lawn weeds, selective weedkillers target them without harming grass. Much better than hoping baking soda will somehow help. Baking soda on weeds is equally ineffective.

Water during drought. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep roots and drought tolerance.

The Verdict

Baking soda is unlikely to kill your grass under normal circumstances. It’s too mild to cause permanent damage to established lawns, though heavy applications can cause temporary browning. If you’re trying to kill grass intentionally, baking soda won’t work – use proper weedkiller instead. If you’re worried about accidental exposure, simply water the area and your lawn should be fine.

There are better things to put on your lawn than baking soda, and better things to use for killing unwanted grass.