Improved aqueous herbicidal compositions comprising at least one water-soluble herbicide and a gel forming agent are provided. The compositions are generally characterized as pseudoplastic, elastic and having a relatively high stationary viscosity. The compositions provide enhanced foliar retention and resistance to drying thereby allowing for improved uptake of the herbicide into the plants and/or translocation within the plant in order to more effectively kill the plants at reduced application rates in kilograms of herbicide per hectare, even in the absence of a surfactant. Methods for confined application of the compositions of the invention to control the growth of unwanted plants are also provided.
