Ground ivy, or Glechoma hederacea, is a persistent perennial weed that frustrates many homeowners seeking a pristine lawn. Its low-growing, creeping habit allows it to easily evade lawnmowers and quickly form dense mats. Its invasive success is due to its ability to root at the nodes along its stems, creating an extensive network that is difficult to remove. Ground ivy possesses small, waxy leaves that act as a natural barrier, making it difficult for many common herbicides to penetrate. The plant also thrives in moist, shady areas where turfgrass struggles, giving it a distinct advantage.
Non-Chemical Removal Methods
For small, isolated patches of ground ivy, manual removal can be attempted, though it requires significant patience and diligence. Since the plant roots at every stem node, every runner and root fragment must be meticulously pulled out of the soil. This method is most effective shortly after a soaking rain when the soil is loose, allowing for a more complete extraction of the entire root system.
An alternative non-chemical approach is smothering or solarization, which involves depriving the plant of sunlight. Covering the infested area with thick black plastic, cardboard, or heavy layers of mulch blocks all light, eventually killing the ground ivy over several weeks. However, this non-selective process will also kill any desirable grass or plant life underneath the covering, requiring subsequent reseeding or replanting.
Long-term control often depends on cultural management, which focuses on creating an environment unfavorable to the weed. Since ground ivy thrives in thin turf and moist, shaded conditions, improving lawn health is a preventative measure. This includes aerating compacted soil, improving drainage, and selectively pruning trees or shrubs to increase sunlight exposure to the lawn. A thick, healthy stand of turfgrass provides effective competition that naturally discourages ground ivy from establishing and spreading.
Targeted Chemical Treatments
When non-chemical methods fail to control severe infestations, targeted chemical treatments become necessary to eradicate the extensive root systems. General-purpose broadleaf weed killers containing only 2,4-D are often ineffective against ground ivy because the chemical struggles to pass through the plant’s waxy leaf surface. Successful elimination typically requires systemic herbicides that are specifically formulated to penetrate the foliage and travel down to the roots.
The most effective active ingredients include triclopyr and dicamba, which are often combined with other chemicals for a more potent attack. Triclopyr is particularly noted for its ability to control tough, creeping broadleaf weeds like ground ivy. These systemic herbicides work by mimicking the plant’s natural growth hormones, causing the weed to grow uncontrollably and eventually exhaust itself.
Multiple applications are almost always required to achieve complete control, as a single treatment rarely kills all the runners and root nodes. Caution is necessary near desirable trees, shrubs, or garden beds, as triclopyr and dicamba can cause damage to non-target plants. Applying the product with a sponge or a targeted spot sprayer, rather than a broadcast spray, can minimize the risk of drift onto sensitive foliage. Always read and follow the specific label directions for application rates and reapplication intervals.
Optimal Timing for Eradication
The time of year a treatment is applied significantly influences its effectiveness, especially when using systemic herbicides. The optimal time for chemical eradication is late autumn, typically from mid-September through November, before the ground freezes. During this period, ground ivy actively prepares for winter by moving sugars and energy from its leaves down to its roots for storage.
A systemic herbicide applied in the fall is readily absorbed and transported throughout the plant, including into the root system, resulting in a more complete kill. Treatments applied during the summer months are often less effective because the plant is focused on shoot growth and is less efficiently moving resources downward. A secondary application can be made in the spring, ideally when the plant is just beginning to flower, to control any runners that survived the fall treatment.
This spring application is a follow-up intended to prevent the plant from flowering and producing seeds, which would start the cycle of reinfestation. Focusing on a primary attack in the fall and a follow-up in the spring maximizes the chance of long-term control.