Does vinegar kill grass as well as weeds?
On One Hand: Recognized EffectivenessDistilled white vinegar has been shown to be an effective herbicide. It kills both grass and weeds in direct application: pouring undiluted vinegar onto the plants to be killed. This is due to the acetic acid in vinegar: household vinegars contain about 5 percent acetic acid, and vinegar-based herbicides can have an acid content of 8 percent and upward.On the Other: Plant HardinessDifferent types of grasses and weeds have differing levels of resistance to acetic acid. Broadleaf weeds are more susceptible than grasses; dandelions and thistles, with their deep taproots, can regrow quickly. Very young weeds can be effectively controlled with household vinegar, but hardier plants require repeated applications or higher concentrations of acetic acid. This includes several types of grasses, which may appear to die but will regrow.Bottom LineHousehold vinegar can be a moderately effective herbicide when it comes to weeds, but it can damage grasses as well.
