Will Baking Soda Kill Grass?

When you want an easy and cost-effective weed or grass killer, baking soda is an easy thing to reach for. It’s also a popular stain remover and household cleaner. Few things get the grime off of patio tiles like baking soda. But what happens if that cleaning mixture spills on your lawn? Will baking soda kill grass? What can you do to stop it?

Will Baking Soda Kill Grass?

Baking soda will kill grass. Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate or “bicarb”, may not seem all that dangerous. This is something many people use to cook and clean with daily. How can it be so harmful to plants?

There are two main reasons that baking soda is harmful to plants. The first reason is that plant cells are much more rigid than animal cells. This makes them more susceptible to abrasives, including baking soda. The second reason is that baking soda is a salt. This is why the true name of baking soda is “sodium bicarbonate”.

What Does Baking Soda Do to Grass?

Baking soda is known to be phytotoxic. When applied to a plant, baking soda will slow its growth, and slow or prevent the germination of seeds. It will also damage the leaves making it hard for the plant to sustain itself and, as a salt, baking soda can further harm the plant by drawing moisture from it and making it difficult or impossible to maintain healthy moisture levels.

Grass is a plant type that is highly susceptible to these effects, given its structure. This makes baking soda a very effective method for controlling the growth of problem grasses as well as a potential hazard in the garden.

Related Article: What Kills Grass?

The Impact of Baking Soda on Different Grass Types

All types of plants, including grass, are susceptible to the damaging effects of baking soda. However, some types are more tolerant than others.

Will Baking Soda Kill Bermuda Grass?

Yes, baking soda will kill Bermuda grass. However, among all of the grass types listed here, Bermuda grass is the type that holds up the best against treatment with baking soda. For example, if you use a paste made up of baking soda and water to spot treat crabgrass, the crabgrass will die before the surrounding Bermuda grass.

Will Baking Soda Kill St. Augustine Grass?

Yes, baking soda will kill St. Augustine grass. St. Augustine isn’t a resilient grass type when it comes to resisting the harmful effects of baking soda. It is best not to spot treat with baking soda on a St. Augustine lawn.

Will Baking Soda Kill Crabgrass?

Yes, baking soda will kill crabgrass. Crabgrass is highly susceptible to baking soda as an herbicide. Apply a wet paste with a high concentration of baking soda to water, a 1 to 1 ratio is recommended, and wait for the crabgrass to brown. After it does, be sure to dilute the area with water as soon as possible to prevent potential or further damage to the surrounding lawn or other plant life.

Will Baking Soda Kill Torpedo Grass?

Yes, baking soda will kill torpedo grass. Torpedo grass is difficult to kill. It can withstand sudden changes in pH, it withstands mowing and heavy damage to the root system, and has shown resistance to most selective weed killers. However, its one weakness is water. As a salt, baking soda is one of the easiest ways to wipe out a patch of torpedo grass as this type of grass requires a large amount of water to thrive.

Will Baking Soda Kill Zoysia Grass?

Yes, baking soda will kill Zoysia grass. Zoysia grass is not at all resilient to the effects of sodium bicarbonate and application directly or nearby is never recommended if you have a Zoysia lawn.

Can You Use Baking Soda for Weed Control?

Can baking soda kill weeds? Yes. Can baking soda kill grass? Yes, whether it’s wanted or unwanted. Baking soda can kill all types of plants. This makes it an “indiscriminate” weed killer. There is no type of plant that plain sodium bicarbonate will spare.

How to Use Baking Soda to Kill Grass and Weeds

To use baking soda to kill grass and weeds, you will need to apply the baking soda to the desired plants. For plants growing in between stones or pavers, the best plan is to sprinkle a thick line of dry baking soda directly onto these spaces.

If you want to remove problem weeds and grass from edging and flower beds, your best bet is to use a 1 to 1 solution of baking soda and water with an added tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil per quart. For example, take 2 cups of baking soda and mix it with 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Apply this solution carefully to the plants and roots of the plants you wish to kill. Once they are dead, be sure to water the area well before you plant anything else there, if you desire to do so.

How to Prevent Baking Soda from Killing Your Lawn

In the event of an accidental spill, it’s possible to save your lawn before the bicarb has a chance to take effect. All you need to do is add water to the spill to dilute the baking soda as quickly as possible. In small or trace amounts, sodium bicarbonate isn’t safe for plants, but it’s far from deadly.

Should Baking Soda be Used to Treat Powdery Mildew on a Lawn?

While capable of acting as a mild fungicide in certain circumstances, baking soda presents more of a danger to small plants like grass than the benefit it may provide. If you do have an outbreak of powdery mildew, it’s much safer to try and reduce moisture and improve sun exposure and airflow. Adding baking soda while grass is in this already stressed state will do more harm than good.

Baking Soda Will Kill Any Type of Plant- Grass Included

Can baking soda kill grass? Yes, it can kill grass and make it hard for certain types to grow back. As a salt, baking soda can harm nearly any type of plant. The larger or woodier that plant is, the more baking soda you will need. Given the structure of grass, it’s easy to eradicate with a small amount of sodium bicarbonate and a little time.