How To Get Rid of Creeping Charlie

I have helped professional lawn care companies and homeowners grow better grass for over 40 years. One of the most common questions asked of me is, “How do I get rid of creeping Charlie in my lawn?” Of all the frustrations facing professional turf managers and lawn owners, keeping their properties free from creeping Charlie is at the top of that list.

What Does Creeping Charlie Look Like?

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) is an herbaceous perennial plant that spreads by seed and, more so, by above-ground stems called stolons. Also referred to as ground ivy, it is a member of the mint family and was originally cultivated as a ground cover that would grow well in heavily shaded areas.

Creeping Charlie is a medium to dark green weed that produces beautiful violet-colored flowers during the spring or early summer. Its leaves are round and fuzzy with scalloped edges. You will easily see the multiple above-ground runners showing through the leaf blades. It prefers shaded areas of your yard, but don’t be surprised to see it doing just fine in full sun.

Why is creeping Charlie bad?

According to agronomist Bob Mann, the name “creeping Charlie” most likely derives from the plant’s growth habit.

“The plant proliferates via its square-shaped stems that spread — or ‘creep’ — across the surface of the soil, rooting at the nodes,” says Mann. “Add in a little bit of creative alliteration, and you get ‘creeping Charlie.’”

Living up to its name, creeping Charlie literally creeps and entwines itself into and throughout your grass and landscape garden plants. Those above-ground stolons have rooting nodes that will anchor into the soil and start another plant. A mature creeping Charlie plant creates a carpet-like network of enmeshed leaves, stems and growing nodes that are very difficult to eradicate.

“As it is an aggressively spreading weed that dominates in areas where turfgrass is at a disadvantage, it can take over large areas of lawns,” says Mann.

How to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie

Hand-weeding

The most effective way to remove creeping Charlie from your yard is by hand-pulling or digging it out. Call me a bit odd, but I find this activity to be rather fun. It’s like finding that loose thread on a sweater that you just can’t help but keep pulling on. You’ll be surprised how much of a creeping Charlie plant you can pull up by simply grabbing hold!

Hand weeding takes persistence, however. You won’t get it all the first time, so concede that fact, kneel down with your favorite beverage and a Bluetooth speaker and have fun pulling!

Make sure you clean up all the weeds, stems and stolons you pulled. They can reroot! Dispose of the debris by composting or throwing it into your garbage.

Herbicides

When hand-pulling just isn’t enough, there are selective broadleaf herbicides that will help eradicate creeping Charlie and many other broadleaf weeds like clover, dandelions, plantain, henbit, knotweed, etc.

But don’t use just any broadleaf herbicide. Look for one that contains triclopyr. You often find this herbicide formulated with 2,4-D, MCPP or Dicamba. It may cost you a little more, but it will be money well spent.

Look for verbiage on the product container that references creeping Charlie control. It may take repeated applications during a year or two to completely remove the plant.

Use caution when applying straight triclopyr herbicides or those containing it. Most herbicides containing this quality active ingredient are ester formulations. That means they’re somewhat volatile and can drift into desirable vegetation. I can speak from experience: if they are over-applied, they can also cause damage to your lawn grasses. This typically is short-lived, however.

When to treat creeping Charlie

The best time to treat for creeping Charlie and other broadleaf weeds is in the fall.

If you have widespread infestation of creeping Charlie, weeds or other unwanted plants, consider using a nonselective herbicide such as glyphosate or glufosinate. These work great as a spot treatment. Remember, these herbicides are designed to kill all living vegetation.

One final note when using any broadleaf herbicide. Always read the herbicide label and be careful how you use them. Proper use will eliminate the possibility of collateral damage.

How to Prevent Creeping Charlie From Coming Back

It takes time, patience and a bit of elbow grease to completely remove ground ivy from your yard. You can slow it down by managing the conditions it thrives in. Remember, wet, shaded areas are what creeping Charlie likes best. Improving soil drainage and taking measures to keep the infested area dry will help suppress its growth. This can be done by increasing sunlight by trimming trees and other sunlight-blocking vegetation.

Increasing your mowing height can also help by giving your lawn grasses a better chance to compete against it.If you’re opposed to using lawn chemicals, overlaying the heavily infested areas with cardboard or heavy, dark plastic will suffocate the weeds, but remember this process will kill everything under the cover.

“Creeping Charlie is a weed that may indicate an area in your landscape that might not be the best for a lawn to grow,” Mann says. “If you find yourself simultaneously trying to control creeping Charlie and maintain a lawn, but failing at both because the area is too shaded, it might be an indication that another choice of plantings is in order.”

About the Expert

Bob Mann is an agronomist and director of state and local government relations for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.