Creeping Charlie Vine: Identification and Management Tips

Creeping Charlie Vine is a pesky weed that can take over your garden in no time. It's a perennial plant that can grow up to 2 feet long, with square stems and round leaves that are typically 1-2 inches in diameter.

This weed is also known as ground ivy, and its leaves have a distinctive scalloped edge. Creeping Charlie Vine thrives in moist, shady areas and can spread quickly through underground stems.

Identifying Creeping Charlie Vine can be a challenge, but look for its distinctive purple flowers in the spring. These flowers are clustered together in a spike-like arrangement and are a dead giveaway for this weed.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Invasive Weeds with White Flowers

Ground ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie, is an invasive creeper that thrives in moist, shady areas. It's an evergreen perennial of the mint family.

Creeping Charlie can tolerate some sun, but it prefers shady spots. It's a hardy plant that can spread quickly.

This creeper spreads by seeding, rooting at its nodes, and even through small fragments of rhizome left behind. It can also spread when mowed.

Eating large amounts of Creeping Charlie can be toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and other animals.

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You can manage ground ivy in small areas by pulling and digging after a soaking rain or deep watering. However, this method is often ineffective because it's hard to remove all stem and root pieces.

Persistence is key to making pulling and digging successful. Frequent and persistent removal of ground ivy over several growing seasons may eliminate the weed or keep its populations low.

A dense stand of grass can help discourage future invasions of ground ivy. Proper mowing, fertilization, and other good management practices can establish a thick, healthy lawn.

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Control of ground ivy in lawns is difficult and requires persistence. The most effective broadleaf herbicide products contain compounds like 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba, and triclopyr. Triclopyr and 2,4-D are the most effective herbicides to use.

To control ground ivy, you'll need to make two broadleaf herbicide applications. The first application should be made in late September/early October, and the second a month later. Spring applications are not as effective.

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Fall is the best time to control ground ivy, and it's essential to alternate herbicides with different active ingredients to avoid populations becoming tolerant. You can also select products with more than one effective active ingredient.

If you've spotted creeping Charlie early, repeated hand-weeding is an option, but be sure to remove and destroy every bit of the roots. If it's in your lawn, a broadleaf herbicide is effective, but it should be applied in early fall so the plant takes the product down to its roots.

Some years ago, the application of borax was suggested as a herbicide, but it's not effective and can even make the soil less able to support lawn grasses and other desirable plants. Always read and follow label directions when using herbicides to avoid harming yourself and the environment.

In small areas, ground ivy can be managed by pulling and digging after a soaking rain or deep watering. However, this method is often ineffective because rarely are all stem and root pieces removed.

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Creeping Charlie can be tricky to identify, and it's often confused with other spring flowering weeds.

Purple Dead Nettle is one of the look-alikes, and it tends to bloom before Creeping Charlie.

Henbit is another weed that can be mistaken for Creeping Charlie, and it blooms after Purple Dead Nettle.

Self Heal blooms later in the year, but its flowers have a similar petal structure to Creeping Charlie's, making it a potential confusion.

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Creeping Charlie is a weed that thrives in shady spots and wet soil, making it a challenge to control.

Trimming back trees and shrubs that may be sheltering the weeds can prevent Creeping Charlie from spreading by letting light and air through.

To create more drainage in your garden, look for ways to improve soil quality and reduce waterlogging.

Creeping Charlie likes it wet and soggy, so keeping your garden soil fertile and well-draining can help prevent it from gaining momentum.

Additional reading: How to Remove Mint from Garden

Pulling the entire plant out at the roots is a good option for flower beds, but be sure to remove every bit of the roots to prevent regrowth.

Repeated hand-weeding is an option if you've spotted Creeping Charlie early, but it must be done regularly until no signs of regrowth appear.

If you're looking for more effective control, broadleaf herbicides like Weed Free Zone by Fertilome can be used to kill Creeping Charlie.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when using herbicides:

Frequent and persistent removal of ground ivy over several growing seasons may eliminate the weed or keep populations low enough to not notice.

The most effective broadleaf herbicide products for controlling ground ivy contain compounds such as 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba, and triclopyr.

Ground ivy is a pesky weed that can be challenging to eradicate, but it's not impossible. Frequent and persistent removal of ground ivy over several growing seasons can eliminate the weed or keep its populations low enough to not notice.

Persistence is key when trying to control ground ivy by hand. Rarely are gardeners consistent and persistent enough to remove this weed by hand, but it's worth the effort. Ground ivy can be managed in small areas by pulling and digging, but this method is often ineffective because not all stem and root pieces are removed.

The most effective broadleaf herbicide products for controlling ground ivy contain one or more of the following compounds: 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba, and triclopyr. Triclopyr and 2,4-D are the most effective herbicides to use, but populations of ground ivy vary in their susceptibility to these compounds.

Fall is the best time to control ground ivy, with two broadleaf herbicide applications necessary to effectively control the weed. The first application should be made in late September or early October, followed by a second application a month later. Spring applications are not as effective.

Maintaining a healthy lawn is crucial in preventing ground ivy from taking over. A good nitrogen fertility program, along with proper mowing and fertilization, can help establish a thick, healthy lawn that discourages future invasions of ground ivy.

To create a healthy lawn and garden that can out-compete creeping charlie, you need to promote a dense stand of grass. A good nitrogen fertility program, along with the use of herbicides, will help control creeping charlie. Apply 3 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year, and consider a fertilizer program with applications of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in late April/May, September, and late October/early November.

You should also maintain proper mowing and fertilization practices to establish a thick, healthy lawn. A dense stand of grass will help discourage future invasions of creeping charlie.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

If you do find creeping charlie popping up amongst your turf, try using a broadleaf herbicide like Weed Free Zone by Fertilome. Remember to only apply the herbicide to the weed itself, as it can be toxic to surrounding plants and flowers.

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