What type of herbicide is generally toxic to plants regardless of species?

Nonselective herbicides are designed to kill or damage all plant species, making them effective for eliminating weeds in areas where you want to clear out all vegetation. These herbicides act on all plants, essentially disrupting key physiological processes, which can include inhibiting photosynthesis or interfering with cellular growth, irrespective of the plant's specific type.

In contrast, selective herbicides target specific types of plants, such as broadleaf weeds while leaving grasses unharmed. Pre-emergent herbicides work by preventing seed germination before weeds can emerge, and post-emergent herbicides are applied to control weeds after they have sprouted. However, both of these categories have a level of specificity regarding which plants they affect, unlike nonselective herbicides. This characteristic makes nonselective herbicides a common choice for landscaping, gardening, and industrial settings when complete plant removal is required.