Creeping Charlie is a perennial groundcover plant commonly found across North America and Europe. This plant (Glechoma hederacea) is an aromatic herb belonging to the mint family. It was historically introduced by early settlers who valued it for its medicinal and culinary uses. Today, it is recognized mainly for its aggressive growth habit, allowing it to thrive in lawns and gardens.
The Distinctive Leaves and Stems
The leaves are typically bright green and have a rounded, kidney, or heart-shaped appearance. The edges feature scalloped or rounded teeth, which help distinguish them from similar plants. These leaves grow opposite each other along the stem on long leaf stalks. The leaf surface can appear slightly waxy or feature small, sparse hairs.
A defining characteristic of Creeping Charlie is its square-shaped stem, shared with other members of the mint family. If you roll the stem between your fingers, you can feel the four distinct sides. These stems are weak and grow horizontally along the ground.
Growth Habit and Appearance
Creeping Charlie forms a dense, low-lying mat across the ground, rarely growing taller than 12 inches. This aggressive, prostrate growth habit is largely due to its method of vegetative reproduction. The plant spreads extensively by sending out long, horizontal stems called stolons or runners.
These runners root easily at the nodes, the points where the leaves attach to the stem. Each rooted node establishes a new plant, allowing it to quickly colonize an area and form a thick, carpet-like cover. The ability to grow roots from stem fragments makes it difficult to remove once established. This vegetative spread is the primary reason it can rapidly displace other groundcovers and turfgrass.
Seasonal Flowers and Unique Scent
During spring and early summer, Creeping Charlie produces small, colorful flowers. These blossoms are typically lavender or bluish-violet. The flowers are tubular and feature two distinct lips, appearing in clusters of two or three where the leaves meet the stem. The flowering stems tend to be more upright than the main horizontal runners.
The plant has a characteristic aroma. When the leaves or stems are crushed, it releases a strong, musky, or mint-like odor. This scent is a result of the plant being a member of the mint family. The distinctive smell is one of the quickest ways to confirm the plant’s identity.
Where Creeping Charlie Thrives
Creeping Charlie is an adaptable plant, but it shows a preference for certain environmental conditions. It grows best in areas with moist, rich soil that is often poorly drained. The plant is particularly successful in partial to full shade, where turfgrass often struggles to grow well.
You are likely to find it thriving in weak or thin lawns, especially near tree lines, buildings, or other shaded structures. While it prefers shade, the plant can tolerate full sun, though it performs best with filtered light. Its presence often signals that the growing conditions are not ideal for a healthy, dense turf.