Systemic fungicides are taken up and redistributed through the xylem vessels in turfgrass.

In general, systemic fungicides have curative and protective properties with extended residual activity. Because systemic fungicides are absorbed by the lawn, they work inside the plant to control pathogenic fungi that have already infected the plant and inhibit new fungi from entering the plant. Systemic fungicides usually have a very specific mode of action and do not have as broad a spectrum of disease control as contact fungicides, but they do control both foliar and root fungal pathogens.