Natural Waterscapes Product Cross-Reference
Quick reference for matching the right treatment product to your target species. Click any product name to visit the product page.
← Back to Plant Identification Guide
Contact Herbicides — Fast-Acting
These products kill plant tissue on contact. Results visible within days. Good for spot treatments and quick knockdowns. Do not kill roots/rhizomes, so regrowth is possible.
[Harvester](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/harvester-aquatic-herbicide-1-gallon/) — Diquat
Type: Liquid contact herbicide Speed: 1–2 weeks to full effect Best for: Quick knockdown of most submerged and floating weeds
| Effective On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Eurasian Watermilfoil | Spot treatment; does not prevent regrowth |
| Hydrilla | Quick knockdown; does not kill tubers |
| Duckweed | Use with surfactant for best results |
| Coontail | Effective for knockdown |
| Elodea | Effective |
| Egeria | Spot treatment |
| Water Hyacinth | Apply directly to foliage |
| Water Lilies | Kills pads but may not reach rhizomes |
| Water Lettuce | Apply directly to foliage |
| Cabomba | Spot treatment |
| Bladderwort | Effective |
| American Pondweed | Quick knockdown |
| Creeping Water Primrose | Contact kill of visible foliage |
Important: Not effective in turbid or muddy water — diquat bonds to suspended clay particles instead of weeds.
[Aquathol K](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/aquathol-k-aquatic-herbicide/) — Endothall (Liquid)
Type: Liquid contact herbicide Speed: 2–5 days Best for: Submerged weeds — fast-acting with no irrigation restrictions
| Effective On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hydrilla | Spot treatment; does not kill tubers |
| Coontail | Effective |
| Curly-Leaf Pondweed | Highly effective — apply early spring |
| Elodea | Effective |
| Sago Pondweed | Does not kill tubers |
| Bladderwort | Effective |
| American Pondweed | Effective |
| Watershield | Use with surfactant |
| Southern Naiad | Effective |
[Aquathol Super K](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/aquathol-super-k/) — Endothall (Granular)
Type: Granular contact herbicide — sinks to target area Speed: 2–5 days Best for: Spot treatment of submerged weeds — granular form targets specific areas
Same species effectiveness as Aquathol K. Granular formulation is ideal for smaller treatment areas and targeted application.
[Hydrothol Granular](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/hydrothol-granular-aquatic-herbicide-algaecide-20-lb/) — Endothall (Granular Algaecide/Herbicide)
Type: Granular contact herbicide AND algaecide Speed: 2–5 days Best for: Submerged weeds AND bottom-growing algae — dual-purpose
| Effective On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hydrilla | Sinks to growth zone |
| Chara (Muskgrass) | Primary recommendation |
| Starry Stonewort | Most effective option |
| Filamentous Algae | Targets bottom growth |
[Propeller](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/propeller-1-lb-aquatic-herbicide/) — Flumioxazin
Type: Contact herbicide Speed: 3–7 days (complete kill 7–14 days) Best for: Duckweed, watermeal, and floating plants
| Effective On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Watermeal | Most effective herbicide for watermeal |
| Duckweed | Effective |
| Mosquito Fern | Effective |
| Water Lettuce | Effective on floating plants |
| Giant Salvinia | Contact knockdown |
Critical: Requires water pH below 8.5. If pH is higher, Propeller degrades rapidly and loses effectiveness. Test pond pH before applying.
Systemic Herbicides — Long-Term Control
These products are absorbed by the plant and translocated to root systems, providing more complete and longer-lasting control. Results take longer to appear.
[Sonar A.S.](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/sonar-as-aquatic-herbicide-8-oz/) / [SonarOne](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/sonar-one-granular-aquatic-herbicide-5-lb/) — Fluridone
Type: Systemic herbicide (liquid or granular) Speed: 7–10 days for symptoms; 1–2 months for complete kill Best for: Season-long control of submerged weeds in closed water bodies
| Effective On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hydrilla | Most effective long-term option — primary recommendation |
| Egeria | Most effective systemic option |
| Cabomba | Most effective systemic option |
| Elodea | Season-long control |
| Coontail | Season-long control |
| Sago Pondweed | Systemic option |
| Hygrophila | Systemic option |
| Curly-Leaf Pondweed | Alternative to endothall |
| Southern Naiad | Season-long option |
Important: Requires 60–90 days of sustained contact. Not effective in flowing water or ponds with significant inflow/outflow. 30-day irrigation restriction. Best applied early in the growing season. Safe for fish.
[Navigate Granular](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/navigate-granular-aquatic-herbicide/) — 2,4-D (Granular)
Type: Systemic granular herbicide — sinks to root zone Speed: Weeks to months for full effect Best for: Water lilies, watermilfoil, and floating-leaved plants
| Effective On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Eurasian Watermilfoil | Most effective treatment — season-long control |
| Water Lilies & Spatterdock | Primary treatment — kills rhizomes |
| Watershield | Systemic control |
| Floating Heart | Systemic control |
| American Lotus | Most effective for lotus |
| American Pondweed | Longer-term control |
[Glyphosate 5.4](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/glyphosate-5-4-aquatic-herbicide-1-gallon/) — Glyphosate
Type: Systemic herbicide for emergent/shoreline weeds Speed: 1–3 weeks Best for: Shoreline and emergent plants — kills to the roots
| Effective On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cattails | Apply July–September for best translocation |
| Phragmites | Most effective method — cut-stem application |
| Creeping Water Primrose | Apply to emergent foliage |
| Water Hyacinth | Apply to actively growing foliage |
| Parrot Feather | Use with surfactant (waxy leaves) |
| Dollar Weed | Systemic shoreline control |
| Alligator Weed | Systemic control |
| Flowering Rush | Apply to emergent foliage |
| Purple Loosestrife | Spot treatment |
| Smartweed | Shoreline control |
| Elephant Ear | Apply to foliage |
| Bulrush | Apply to actively growing foliage |
| American Lotus | Apply to emergent leaves |
Note: Fish-safe — no water use restrictions after application. For shoreline/emergent use only — not effective on submerged vegetation.
[Clearcast](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/clearcast-herbicide/) — Imazamox
Type: Systemic herbicide for emergent weeds Speed: Stops growth quickly; decomposition over several weeks Best for: Emergent weeds near water — apply to actively growing plants only
| Effective On | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cattails | Systemic emergent control |
| Phragmites | Systemic option |
| Creeping Water Primrose | Systemic control |
| Water Hyacinth | Effective |
| Parrot Feather | Systemic option |
| Dollar Weed | Systemic option |
| Alligator Weed | Systemic control |
| Flowering Rush | Systemic option |
| Elephant Ear | Systemic control |
| Bulrush | Systemic option |
Note: 24-hour irrigation restriction.
Combination Packages
[Duckweed Destroyer](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/duckweed-destroyer-package/)
Includes: Cutrine Plus, Harvester, AquatiStick Best for: Duckweed, Watermeal, Mosquito Fern
First-line recommendation for floating plant infestations. Combination approach addresses multiple aspects of control.
[Cattail Killer Pack](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/cattail-killer-pack/)
Best for: Cattails, Phragmites, emergent shoreline weeds
Purpose-built combination for shoreline emergent weed control.
Non-Chemical Option
[LakeMat Pro](https://shop.naturalwaterscapes.com/)
Type: Physical bottom barrier — no chemicals Best for: Any rooted aquatic plant in targeted areas
Controls aquatic weeds by blocking light and physically preventing growth. Eco-friendly, chemical-free solution for swim areas, docks, and boat launches.
General Treatment Tips
- Always identify first — Using the wrong herbicide wastes money and can worsen problems
- Run an aerator after any herbicide treatment to maintain dissolved oxygen as dead plants decompose
- Treat early — Most herbicides are more effective on younger, actively growing plants
- Spot treat when possible rather than whole-pond treatment to preserve beneficial native plants
- Follow label rates — More is not better and can harm fish
- Address nutrients — Most weed problems are symptoms of excess nutrients. Long-term management requires reducing nutrient inputs.
← Back to Plant Identification Guide | Ecoregion Guide | Beneficial Considerations
Natural Waterscapes — Expert Aquatic Plant Identification & Treatment