Creeping Charlie is a tough-as-nails, fast-spreading weed. If this invasive plant is taking over your yard, you’ve come to the right place. Learn how to get rid of creeping Charlie with methods such as manual removal, smothering, sheet mulching, and organic and chemical control.
What is Creeping Charlie?
Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a low-growing perennial plant with scalloped, rounded leaves and small, tubular purple flowers resembling mini orchids. The leaves grow opposite each other along creeping stems (also called stolons) that root at nodes as they spread. They range in color from dark green on top to light green or purple underneath.
Ground ivy actively grows in the spring and fall when moderate temperatures and moist conditions allow it to spread quickly. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this weed grows in all parts of the United States except Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Despite its charming foliage, blooms, and groundcover use, creeping Charlie is often considered a weed in yards and gardens. Here’s why:
- Creeping Charlie is invasive: Creeping Charlie has aggressive growth habits, spreading rapidly and forming dense mats that can smother and outcompete desirable plants (like native plants) in the landscape. It typically poses a problem in lawns and shaded areas, under trees, near pathways, and along garden beds.
- Creeping Charlie is difficult to control: Once established, creeping Charlie’s ability to spread via seeds, rhizomes (underground stems), and stolons makes it challenging to eradicate. Even pulling it up by hand may not be effective, as broken stems can quickly regrow.
- Creeping Charlie can cause allergies: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to creeping Charlie, particularly when handling the plant or coming into contact with its sap.
How to eradicate creeping Charlie
If you want to get rid of this nuisance plant for good, try these methods:
Manually remove creeping Charlie
If you have just a little creeping Charlie in your yard, repeated hand pulling can be effective, especially when the soil is moist (if it hasn’t rained, soak the area beforehand). Put on garden gloves (the plant has been known to cause allergic reactions), trim the stems and leaves as much as possible, carefully grab the base of the plant, and lift upward gently.
Try to remove as much of the root system as possible; if the smallest fragment is left in the ground, the weed will likely sprout again next year. Dispose of the pulled plants to prevent re-establishment. Don’t add them to a compost pile, as they will likely take root.
For larger infestations, consider using a dethatching rake or a pitchfork to break up the soil and lift the creeping Charlie plants out of the ground. This method can help expose the roots, making it easier to remove them manually. Hand pulling won’t work as well in this case, as it may be challenging to remove the extensive, established root system completely.
Smother creeping Charlie
Some homeowners resort to smothering the creeping Charlie plant. This method (also known as soil solarization) involves placing a plastic, rubber, or cardboard covering over the plant to prevent it from growing and spreading by cutting off water, nutrients, and sunlight to the plant.
Cut the plant down as close to the ground as possible and cover it entirely with your sheet of choice. Anchor it by burying the edges of the sheet into the ground. Leave the sheeting in place for several weeks. The heat trapped underneath will kill the creeping Charlie and other weeds by raising soil temperatures to lethal levels. Plus, plants that don’t have access to sunlight for photosynthesis (the process by which they convert light into energy) can’t sustain themselves and die.
Beware of small runners (roots) that can still sneak past the covering and continue sprouting.
Remove creeping Charlie with sheet mulching
Another way to deprive creeping Charlie of sunlight and prevent it from photosynthesizing is to smother it with organic mulch (also known as sheet mulching, sheet composting, or lasagna gardening). Cut the plant close to the ground and apply a layer of mulch about 4 inches deep.
Cover the plant entirely, extending slightly beyond its edges for added comfort. You can use anything from wood chips and straw to shredded leaves, grass clippings, and compost. We recommend laying down wet cardboard or newspaper as the first layer and following up with the other materials.
Reapply the mulch as needed to maintain its thickness until the creeping Charlie plant is dead.
Make an organic weed killer
If manual pulling and smothering haven’t yielded the desired results, you can make your own organic weed killer with ingredients from your pantry.
Mix white vinegar with water in a ratio of one part vinegar to one part water and pour it into a sprayer. Spray the plant’s foliage thoroughly, avoiding other non-target plants as much as possible. Alternatively, mix salt and water in a 1:3 ratio and apply it to the plant. This method should be used carefully, as salt can remain in the soil and damage other plants.
Vinegar does not kill the roots, so it may not be as effective against creeping Charlie as chemical herbicides. But it can weaken the plant enough to stop it from spreading and give you time to try other methods.
Apply chemical herbicides
Creeping Charlie is very resistant to most herbicides, blocking them from moving freely from one part of the plant to another.
Employing broad-spectrum herbicides won’t eliminate the plant entirely; it will only weaken it. That is why a combination of systemic, selective post-emergent herbicides meant for broadleaf weeds will work best. Post-emergents control weeds that have already germinated and emerged from the soil.
Systemic herbicides spread throughout the plant, affecting the roots and shoots. As the roots break down, the risk of creeping Charlie coming back decreases.
Selective herbicides work only on the weed — or weeds — they’re designed to kill. If you mistakenly spray or spill a selective post-emergent on grass or plants, it won’t kill them. With this type of herbicide, you can kill broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds, and sedges.
Opt for systemic, selective post emergents that contain 2,4-D, dicamba, or triclopyr (ideally, a combination of them). They interfere with plant growth and disrupt cell division, causing leaf curling, wilting, and eventual death. Triclopyr is particularly effective against tough, persistent weeds like creeping Charlie in lawns and turfgrass areas.
Another option is to use herbicides containing glyphosate, a non-selective systemic herbicide that disrupts amino acid synthesis in plants, a process essential for plant growth, development, and overall function. The downside is that glyphosate also can kill your grass, which is why non-selective herbicides are more challenging to use.
Some excellent options that will get the job done include:
- Southern Ag Crossbow Specialty Herbicide
- Select Source Triad TZ | 4-Way Combination Herbicide
- Monterey Spurge Power Post Emergent Selective Herbicide Concentrate
- Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns
- Pulverize Weed Killer for Lawns
Pro tip: Always read your product’s label directions for use. Misapplying herbicides can be hazardous to the environment, animals, and people. Wear protective gear, including eyewear, gloves, and long-sleeved clothing.
How to prevent creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie needs specific conditions to grow well. A well-balanced yard will keep your grass healthy and prevent weeds. Check out some helpful ways to keep this creeper from ever showing up:
- Keep your lawn thick and healthy to prevent creeping Charlie from establishing itself and outcompeting your grass. Weeds grow in under-fertilized, neglected, open areas that are susceptible to external attacks.
- Mow your grass according to its type and follow these tips and tricks.
- Water your lawn regularly, but don’t go overboard. Knowing when to stop watering your lawn is key to keeping it in top shape. The best time to water your grass is between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. when wind and evaporation are minimal, allowing the soil to soak up the moisture. If you must water later in the day, do so at around 6 p.m. to prevent excess water from sitting on the grass blades through the night and attracting diseases or pests.
- Allow plenty of direct sunlight to hit your grass. If this is a problem, prune trees and shrubs or remove (as possible) any objects that may obstruct your grass’ access to sunlight.
- In shaded areas of the yard where grasses struggle, consider planting groundcovers for shade or native plants to discourage creeping Charlie.
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide for broadleaf weeds. The product you use must be potent and target tough weeds such as creeping Charlie. Apply it in early spring before germination or in the fall before the first frost. It will block seed germination and rhizome development.
FAQ about getting rid of creeping Charlie
Does creeping Charlie attract pests?
Creeping Charlie itself doesn’t attract pests, but it can provide hiding places for pests like rodents and aphids, which may then move on to damage other nearby vegetation. The moist and shaded environment it creates also can harbor mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.
Does changing my soil’s pH levels prevent creeping Charlie?
Creeping Charlie thrives in soil that is slightly acidic or slightly alkaline but can adapt to different environmental conditions, including varying soil pH levels (hence its reputation as a difficult weed). Altering them too drastically may eliminate the weeds but also prevent other desirable plants and grasses from growing. It’s best to give our abovementioned elimination methods a try.
Will mowing help me get rid of creeping Charlie?
You can certainly mow over the creeping Charlie plant to weaken it and prevent it from spreading and flowering, but this method alone won’t be enough to eliminate it entirely. Any of the abovementioned elimination options are much better at helping you achieve a weed-free yard.
Is creeping Charlie all bad?
As University of Illinois weed scientist Michelle Wiesbrook mentions, ground ivy “actually makes a fantastic groundcover, but the problem with this plant is that it doesn’t behave or know its boundaries and will attempt to cover the county if you let it.”
A pro can restore your yard
Creeping Charlie might seem harmless with its charming purple flowers, but don’t be fooled. This aggressive weed can swiftly claim your lawn or garden, choking out desirable plants and creating a tangled mess.
If manual removal, smothering, or chemical weed control hasn’t worked for you, the next best thing is to contact a local lawn care pro with the expertise to help. They’ll implement a targeted strategy to eradicate ground ivy and restore your outdoor space to its former glory.
Main Image Credit: Adobe Stock
