How to Get Rid of Dandelions in Your Lawn

Dandelions are among the most recognisable and persistent lawn weeds in the UK. Their cheerful yellow flowers might look pretty to some, but left unchecked, they spread rapidly and compete aggressively with your grass. Here’s how to get rid of them and stop them coming back.

As one of the most common garden weeds in the UK, dandelions appear in almost every lawn at some point.

Understanding the Enemy

Dandelions are perennial weeds, meaning they return year after year from the same root. This is what makes them so persistent and why simply mowing them down doesn’t work.

The key to their survival is the taproot, a thick, fleshy root that can extend 30cm or more into the soil. This stores energy and water, allowing the plant to regenerate even after the top growth is removed. For more detail on dandelion biology and control methods beyond lawns, see our comprehensive guide to getting rid of dandelions.

Each plant produces hundreds of seeds on those familiar fluffy “clocks” that children love to blow. Seeds travel on the wind for miles, which is why even well-maintained lawns acquire dandelions from neighbouring gardens, fields, and verges.

Hand Removal

For small numbers of dandelions, hand removal is effective and avoids chemicals entirely.

The challenge is removing the entire taproot. Any fragment left in the soil will regenerate into a new plant, sometimes producing multiple plants from a broken root.

A daisy grubber or dandelion weeder is the ideal tool. Push the forked blade down beside the root, lever it out, and extract the entire taproot. Do this when soil is moist for easier extraction.

Water the area after removal and consider sprinkling grass seed into the hole to prevent other weeds colonising the bare spot. See our guide to fixing bare patches for proper technique.

Check the area weekly and remove any regrowth immediately. Persistence is key, as roots may take several attempts to fully exhaust.

Selective Herbicides

For larger infestations, selective herbicides offer the most effective control. These chemicals kill broadleaf weeds like dandelions while leaving grass unharmed.

Common active ingredients include 2,4-D, MCPA, mecoprop, and dicamba. These work by disrupting plant hormone systems, causing uncontrolled growth that kills the weed.

Apply when dandelions are actively growing, typically April to October. Spring and early autumn are most effective as plants are growing vigorously and absorbing maximum chemical.

Avoid application during drought, frost, or when rain is forecast within 6 hours. The chemical needs time to be absorbed by the leaves and translocated to the root.

Results take 2-4 weeks. The dandelion will look distorted and yellowed before dying completely. Don’t be tempted to dig them out early, as this interrupts the process.

Our Spring Lawn Treatment combines selective herbicide with lawn feed, killing weeds while strengthening grass to fill the gaps they leave.

Spot Treatment vs Broadcast Application

For scattered dandelions, spot treatment with a ready-to-use spray minimises chemical use. Target individual plants, coating all leaves thoroughly.

For widespread infestations, broadcast application with a sprayer or watering can is more practical. This treats the entire lawn, catching weeds you may have missed.

Follow product instructions precisely. Over-application wastes product and can stress grass. Under-application allows weeds to survive.

When Weedkillers Won’t Work

Herbicides fail when conditions aren’t right or application is poor.

Applying to drought-stressed plants produces weak results. Weeds with limited moisture aren’t actively growing and don’t absorb chemicals effectively. Water the lawn a day or two before treatment if conditions are dry.

Mowing too soon removes treated leaves before the chemical reaches roots. Wait at least 3 days after application before mowing, longer if possible.

Rain within 6 hours washes the chemical off before absorption. Check forecasts before treating.

Some dandelion populations have developed herbicide resistance. If repeated treatments fail, try a product with different active ingredients.

Prevention: A Healthy Lawn

The best defence against dandelions is thick, healthy grass that leaves no room for weeds to establish.

Regular feeding promotes dense growth that crowds out weeds. Follow a proper feeding schedule throughout the year.

Correct mowing height keeps grass competitive. Cutting too short weakens grass and opens gaps for weeds. Most lawns should be kept at 25-40mm.

Thickening thin areas by overseeding removes the bare patches where dandelion seeds germinate.

Addressing underlying problems like compaction, poor drainage, or shade helps grass outcompete weeds. A struggling lawn will always lose to dandelions.

Timing Your Attack

Spring (April-May) is the prime time to tackle dandelions. They’re growing vigorously, making them vulnerable to herbicides, and you have the full season ahead to strengthen grass.

Remove seedheads before they mature and release seeds. A single plant can produce thousands of seeds, so prevention is far easier than cure.

Autumn (September-October) offers a second treatment window. Dandelions store energy in their roots for winter, and herbicides applied now are transported to roots along with this energy.

Winter is ineffective for treatment as plants aren’t actively growing.

The Nuclear Option

For lawns overwhelmed by dandelions and other weeds, sometimes starting fresh is more practical than treatment.

Kill everything with glyphosate, remove the dead material, improve the soil, and establish a new lawn from seed or turf. This sounds drastic but can be faster than fighting a losing battle.

See our guide to getting rid of a weedy lawn for the full renovation approach.

Living With Some Dandelions

Complete eradication is nearly impossible unless you live in isolation from all seed sources. A few dandelions will always find their way in.

Regular maintenance keeps them under control. Remove the occasional plant by hand, treat any clusters promptly, and maintain healthy grass that resists invasion.

Dandelions are actually beneficial for pollinators, providing early-season nectar for bees. Some gardeners tolerate a few in less visible areas while keeping main lawns clear.

Other Common Lawn Weeds

Dandelions rarely appear alone. If you have dandelions, you likely have other broadleaf weeds too.

The same selective herbicides that kill dandelions also control most common lawn weeds including plantain, clover, daisies, and buttercups. A single treatment often addresses multiple problems.

Our comprehensive guide covers spring lawn care including tackling weeds as part of your seasonal routine. For more weed control guides, explore our full lawn care article library.