Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), widely known as Creeping Charlie, is a perennial broadleaf plant that poses a significant challenge for homeowners and turf managers. Originally introduced from Eurasia, it is often considered a persistent, invasive weed due to its resilience and capacity for rapid establishment. For those seeking to reclaim their turf, understanding the plant’s specific traits is the first step toward successful control.
Identifying Ground Ivy
Confirming the presence of Ground Ivy involves examining its distinctive botanical features, which place it within the mint family (Lamiaceae). A defining characteristic is the plant’s stem, which is square in cross-section, a trait easily felt by rolling the stem between the fingers. The leaves are opposite, kidney-shaped to rounded, and feature scalloped edges.
Another identifier is the plant’s distinctly minty or pungent aroma when the leaves are crushed or mown. Small, lavender to purplish-blue flowers appear in the spring, growing in clusters at the leaf axils. The plant spreads aggressively using long, above-ground runners, called stolons, which root at every node where a leaf meets the stem.
Why It Is Considered a Problem
Ground Ivy’s growth habit makes it problematic for turfgrass and garden beds. It is a vigorous spreader, relying on stolons to rapidly colonize new areas and form dense, matted patches. This creeping growth allows it to hug the ground closely, making it highly tolerant of low mowing heights.
The weed thrives where turfgrass struggles, particularly in moist, nutrient-poor, or heavily shaded environments. Once established, it actively outcompetes desirable grass by shading it out and stealing resources. Because it roots at every node, a single plant quickly becomes a large, interconnected infestation, making mechanical removal tedious. The multiple root points also make the plant resistant to chemical control, as the herbicide must travel throughout the entire extensive root system for complete elimination.
Effective Control Methods
Controlling established Ground Ivy requires a multi-faceted approach, combining cultural practices with targeted chemical applications. Manual removal is feasible only for small, new patches and demands careful attention to detail. Every segment of the stolon, particularly the rooted nodes, must be removed from the soil to prevent re-growth.
For long-term management, improving the health and density of the turf is a necessary cultural defense. Ground Ivy often invades thin, stressed lawns, so practices like aerating compacted soil, ensuring proper drainage, and fertilizing promote vigorous grass growth, helping the turf compete. Increasing sunlight penetration by pruning overhanging tree branches also creates an environment less favorable to the weed’s preferred shady habitat.
Chemical control is often the most effective method for larger infestations, but it requires specific herbicides, as the plant is resistant to many common weed killers. Products containing triclopyr or dicamba are more effective than those relying solely on 2,4-D. The most opportune time to apply these selective broadleaf herbicides is in the fall, typically late September through November. During this period, the perennial weed is actively transporting nutrients down to its root system, allowing the systemic herbicide to be drawn down and effectively kill the entire plant.