Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a common weed that can quickly take over landscapes and gardens. Getting rid of creeping Charlie requires using a combination of methods, including hand-pulling and applying herbicide. With persistence and patience, you can eliminate this aggressive weed from your yard or garden.
What is Creeping Charlie?
Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) is a perennial evergreen creeper in the mint family Lamiaceae. It’s native to Europe and parts of Asia, but has become an aggressive invasive weed in North America.
Some key characteristics of creeping Charlie:
- Trailing stems that root at the nodes, forming dense mats along the ground or climbing over other plants.
- Round, kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped margins. Leaves are aromatic when crushed.
- Small, bluish-purple funnel shaped flowers that bloom in spring.
- Thrives in moist, shaded areas but can tolerate sun. Spreads aggressively both by seeds and creeping stems.
- Contains bioactive compounds like iridoids and flavonoids but can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested.
Creeping Charlie is difficult to control because of its rapid growth and spreading abilities. The weed can quickly take over gardens, lawns, and landscape beds if left unchecked.
Why Get Rid of Creeping Charlie?
There are several reasons you may want to remove creeping Charlie:
- It’s invasive – Native to Europe, creeping Charlie is an aggressive invader that has few natural predators in North America. It spreads rapidly and displaces native plants.
- Outcompetes other plants – The dense mats formed by creeping Charlie block sunlight and use up nutrients needed by nearby plants. It’s very difficult for grass and garden plants to thrive alongside creeping Charlie.
- Harbors pests – The dense ivy-like foliage provides shelter for slugs, snails and other garden pests.
- Damages lawns – The low growth and broad leaves of creeping Charlie crowd out grass, leaving thin, patchy lawns.
- Spreads seeds – Mature plants produce small but abundant seeds, allowing creeping Charlie to quickly colonize new areas.
Getting rid of this weed will improve the health and appearance of your lawn, garden beds, and landscaping. A creeping Charlie-free yard promotes better growing conditions for desired plants.
Hand-Pulling Creeping Charlie
Hand-pulling is most effective on young or isolated creeping Charlie plants. It’s labor intensive for large infestations but works well for maintenance weeding. Follow these steps:
1. Wear gloves and use a weeding tool
Creeping Charlie’s tender stems pull up easily, but the plant can be abrasive. Wear sturdy gardening gloves to protect your hands. Use a digging tool like a trowel, fork or hoe to pry up roots.
2. Pull slowly and gently
Grasp low and gently tug to gradually loosen the roots. Pulling too quickly may break the stems and leave the creeping roots behind.
3. Remove as much of the root system as possible
Focus on extracting the creeping stems and rhizomatous roots. Removing the entire root system is key to preventing regrowth.
4. Seal edges with barrier fabric
Lay down landscape fabric or plastic sheeting around cleared areas to block creeping Charlie from recolonizing.
5. Dispose of plants immediately
Throw away pulled weeds or add to a hot compost pile to destroy seeds and remaining roots. Never add creeping Charlie to a compost system used for gardens.
6. Replant with competitive plants
Install dense plantings of perennials, shrubs or native groundcovers to help shade out any remaining creeping Charlie.
Consistency is vital when hand pulling creeping Charlie. Monitor areas closely and remove any new sprouts or growth before the weed spreads again.
Applying Herbicide to Control Creeping Charlie
Herbicides provide a chemical control option for more extensive creeping Charlie growth. Systemic weed killers containing dicamba or triclopyr work well on creeping Charlie. Follow these guidelines when using herbicides:
Select an appropriate herbicide
Look for a broadleaf weed killer containing either triclopyr or dicamba. Some options:
- Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer
- Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed With WeedGrip Technology
- Bayer Advanced All-in-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer
Read and follow all label directions
Using herbicides improperly can damage lawns, gardens and the environment. Carefully review and adhere to any instructions and precautions on the label.
Control drift with targeted spray methods
Use a wand attachment on the sprayer to precisely target the creeping Charlie. Avoid spraying on windy days when the chemical could blow onto other plants.
Apply on a dry, calm day
The herbicide requires several hours to absorb into the plant. Spray when rain isn’t expected so the chemical isn’t washed away before it’s effective.
Spray in spring and fall
Apply herbicide in early spring as temperatures rise and the creeping Charlie is actively growing. A second application in fall can help kill any remaining plants.
Use multiple applications if needed
It often takes more than one herbicide treatment to fully eradicate creeping Charlie. Allow 4-6 weeks between applications.
Overseed treated areas
After the final application, rake up dead creeping Charlie and reseed bare spots to establish healthy grass or other desired plants.
Always exercise great care when using chemical weed control. Target applications precisely and according to label directions to avoid inadvertent damage. Monitor treated areas to spot treat any lingering creeping Charlie plants.
Hand-Pulling vs Herbicide: Which is Better for Creeping Charlie?
Hand-pulling and herbicides both have pros and cons when tackling creeping Charlie:
Hand-Pulling
- PRO: Avoiding chemicals is safer for people, pets and the environment
- PRO: Immediately removes creeping Charlie upon pulling
- CON: Very labor intensive, especially for large infestations
- CON: Disturbs the soil, potentially exposing more weed seeds
Herbicide
- PRO: More effective on large overgrowths of creeping Charlie
- PRO: Less physically demanding than hand-pulling
- CON: Chemicals can harm desired plants if improperly applied
- CON: Doesn’t remove dead vegetation, which must be raked up
For many homeowners, a combination approach is best:
- Hand pull isolated plants or those in garden beds
- Spot spray larger infested areas with an appropriate herbicide
- Follow up with hand weeding of any lingering plants
This integrated strategy takes advantage of the precision of pulling by hand and the efficiency of herbicide on big patches. It provides thorough control with less soil disturbance and fewer chemicals.
9 Tips to Prevent Creeping Charlie After Removal
Eliminating creeping Charlie takes persistence. After removing established plants, take proactive steps to prevent regrowth or new invasions:
- Pull stray plants promptly – Don’t allow creeping Charlie to spread seeds or roots. Inspect regularly and quickly hand pull interlopers.
- Maintain turf density – A thick lawn crowds out weeds. Overseed bare spots and keep grass healthy with proper mowing, water and fertilization.
- Mulch garden beds – A 3-4 inch layer of mulch blocks light from reaching creeping Charlie seeds. Replenish the mulch as needed.
- Edge along fences and borders – Use a metal edger to slice roots that try to creep from areas outside your property.
- Amend the soil – Improve thin or poor soil with compost and organic matter to encourage healthy plant growth.
- Use ground cover plants – Low-growing perennials like thyme and chamomile spread densely to choke out weeds.
- Install landscape fabric barriers – Use permeable landscape cloth around trees, shrubs and ornamental beds to block creeping Charlie.
- Manage irrigation – Don’t overwater. Creeping Charlie thrives in moist soil. Let areas dry out between watering.
- Reapply herbicide – Spot spray any new growth and make follow-up applications in early spring and fall.
With diligence and using multiple preventive methods, you can keep creeping Charlie at bay and enjoy a healthy, weed-free landscape.
Common Questions about Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about managing creeping Charlie:
Does borax kill creeping Charlie?
Borax does have some herbicidal effects and can suppress creeping Charlie growth. However, borax alone often doesn’t eliminate established creeping Charlie. Use it as part of an integrated approach along with hand pulling and targeted herbicide applications.
Can I smother creeping Charlie with mulch or carpet?
Smothering can be effective on small areas of creeping Charlie using materials like cardboard topped with wood chips or mulch. Avoid plastic sheeting as it doesn’t allow water through. For larger sections, smothering isn’t very practical.
Will vinegar kill creeping Charlie?
Household vinegar is not strong enough to kill creeping Charlie. Horticultural vinegar with a higher acetic acid content can damage foliage at full strength, but doesn’t kill the roots. Spot treat small areas and avoid plant injury to nearby plants.
What temperature kills creeping Charlie?
Creeping Charlie can tolerate cold temperatures and bounces back in spring. Sustained deep freezing may damage roots, but winter weather rarely eliminates established plants. Very high temperatures above 85°F slow growth but don’t kill creeping Charlie.
Does salt kill creeping Charlie?
Table salt and other salts can burn and desiccate foliage and roots. However, the effects are transient and creeping Charlie often resprouts after salt application. A very high concentration of salt may kill plants, but salt can make soil inhospitable for other plants.
How long until creeping Charlie dies after herbicide?
With systemic herbicides, it takes 7-14 days to translocate through the plant and cause dieback. Damaged foliage may turn brown or black. Complete control can take 4-6 weeks. Make follow-up applications to treat any remaining growth. Monitor the area for at least 2 months after initial treatment.
Conclusion
Creeping Charlie is a challenging weed to eradicate from lawns and gardens once established. Getting rid of it requires diligence and using a combination of manual and chemical control methods. Hand pull small infestations or stray plants. Use selective herbicides containing triclopyr or dicamba to treat larger areas. Restore desirable plants to crowd out any lingering creeping Charlie. With persistence, you can reclaim your yard from this stubborn invader.