How to get rid of creeping Charlie: Identification, elimination and prevention

Key points

• Creeping Charlie has round scalloped leaves and small purple flower clusters.

• Hand-pull weeds for minor infestations and apply herbicides for large-scale eradication.

• Control creeping Charlie by performing regular inspections, watering, mulching and pruning.

Creeping Charlie, scientifically known as Glechoma hederacea, is a persistent weed that has invaded residential lawns for generations. The plant originated in Europe and was introduced to North America in the 1800s. Also known as ground ivy, creeping Charlie thrives in moist, shady areas but can adapt to various conditions. It grows low to the ground and spreads rapidly.

While initially prized for its beauty and medicinal properties, it soon earned a reputation as a troublesome weed due to its aggressive spreading. The plant’s charming appearance — attractive rounded leaves and small purple flowers — can fool you into thinking it’s harmless groundcover. Look away for a moment, though, and the weed can quickly overtake your lawn. 

But fear not. You can effectively identify and manage creeping Charlie in your lawn with the right approach.

We tapped Mark Bradley, CEO and cofounder of Landscape Management Network, and Taylor Olberding, landscape management expert and co-owner of Heroes Lawn Care, for expert advice on dealing with creeping Charlie.

Below is a list of helpful tips on getting rid of this invasive weed once and for all.

How do you identify creeping Charlie?

Creeping Charlie, a member of the mint family, has distinct characteristics that make it easy to identify in your lawn, even if you’re not a weed expert. Since identifying creeping Charlie is the first step in effectively managing this perennial broadleaf weed, we’ve outlined how to spot it.

• Leaf shape: Creeping Charlie features rounded leaves with scalloped edges. The kidney-shaped leaves grow in clusters along creeping stems that root at the nodes.
• Flower appearance: In spring, creeping Charlie produces small, funnel-shaped purple flowers that often attract bees and other pollinators.
• Growth pattern: Creeping Charlie grows low to the ground and forms dense mats or patches in shady or partially shaded areas.
• Common mistakes: Creeping Charlie is sometimes mistaken for other ground-covering plants or weeds, such as henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) or deadnettle (Lamium purpureum), which have similar growth habits and flower shapes. However, you can distinguish creeping Charlie by its distinct leaf shape and growth pattern. Creeping Jenny is another example of a similar-in-appearance weed, though its flowers are yellow.

How do you get rid of creeping Charlie?

Dealing with creeping Charlie in your yard can be frustrating, but there are effective methods for removing this invasive plant. Two primary approaches are hand-pulling and using herbicides. 

Hand-pulling

Hand-pulling creeping Charlie is a labor-intensive but effective method, especially for more minor infestations. It’s also a free approach. Here’s what you’ll need and the steps involved:

Tools needed:

• Gardening gloves
• Pruners or shears
• Garden hose
• Pitchfork or weed tool

Steps:

1. Trim the plant’s leaves and creeping stems using pruners or shears. Leave just enough of the creeping Charlie above the ground to grasp it firmly.
2. Next, thoroughly soak the creeping Charlie area with a garden hose. The soil should be saturated.
3. Use a pitchfork or weed tool to loosen the soil around your creeping Charlie plants gently. The goal is to expose the stem roots and rhizomes.
4. Next, grasp the plant at its base and firmly pull it upwards to remove the rhizomes. For deeper rhizomes, rework the soil with the pitchfork to ensure you haven’t left any behind.
5. After removing the main plant, inspect the area for leftover rhizomes or stem roots. Remove any remaining plant material to prevent regrowth.

The best time to hand-pull creeping Charlie is in the spring before the plant has flowered, but you can weed anytime throughout the year. You may need to repeat this method several times to eliminate the weeds from your lawn.

Herbicide 

Short on time, or hand-pulling not cutting it? An herbicide, or weed killer, is a quicker and more efficient method for large-scale infestations of creeping Charlie. Here’s how to do it:

Tools needed:

• Pump sprayer
• Protective eyewear
• Gardening gloves

Steps:

1. Fill a pump sprayer with the appropriate herbicide and mix it with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure precise measurements to avoid harming surrounding plants. Triclopyr and 2,4-D are the best broadleaf herbicides for creeping Charlie, According to Iowa State University’s Yard and Garden Extension.
2. Spray the creeping Charlie with herbicide, focusing on the leaves and stems. Be careful to avoid overspraying it on desirable plants.
3. Allow the herbicide to work on the creeping Charlie plants, and refrain from disturbing the area. Consider applying herbicide in the fall for optimal effectiveness since the plant will absorb nutrients from the soil to survive winter.

How do you prevent creeping Charlie from coming back?

The bad news is that creeping Charlie tends to return year after year, thanks to its annoying ability to regrow from any remaining roots left in the soil. However, the good news is that you have several options that help prevent creeping Charlie from making an unwanted encore next growing season. 

Maintain your lawn’s health

Cultivating a dense, healthy lawn is critical to preventing the return of creeping Charlie. According to Olberding, it’s all about watering habits, soil aeration and proper fertilization. 

He also advised homeowners to watch for signs of diseases or pests (an infestation can invite weeds into your yard). “With consistent care and attention, your lawn should bounce back in no time,” he added.

Need a bit more guidance? First, test your soil every three to five years. Bradley said, “Regular soil testing can guide you on the right fertilization and amendment practices.”

Aim for a height of 2 to 3 1/2 inches; ensure your mower blades are sharp to keep your grass roots strong and healthy to absorb more water and nutrients. Your lawn should receive about 1 inch of water weekly, either from a sprinkler or Mother Nature.

Mulch, mulch, mulch

Organic mulches, such as wood chips, bark mulch or shredded leaves, work well for smothering weeds like creeping Charlie. When mulching, spread a layer around the affected area, aiming for a thickness between 2 and 4 inches. This thick layer will prevent sunlight from reaching the soil and stop the growth of any weeds or plants, including creeping Charlie.

Remember, creeping Charlie spreads along yard edges and borders, so pay special attention to mulching these areas.

Prune trees

Thinning or pruning large trees on your property allows more sunlight to reach the ground. Since creeping Charlie prefers shade, any existing weeds will struggle to survive in a brighter environment. 

Remember that not all trees should be pruned. If a tree is flowering or fruiting, it’s best to wait. Extreme weather conditions, such as drought, should also signal a pruning pause.

Replace with native alternatives

In some cases, creeping Charlie is only present because it’s too difficult to grow standard turfgrass. In such a scenario, it may be more appropriate to replace creeping Charlie with native ground covers or more shade-tolerant grasses, such as fescue, to choke it out naturally.

Use landscape fabric

Installing landscape fabric in landscape beds or areas where bare soil is exposed can help suppress weed growth. Landscape fabric acts as a physical barrier, preventing creeping Charlie and other weeds from taking root and spreading.

Cover the fabric with a layer of mulch to improve aesthetics and further inhibit weed establishment.

What’s next?

Now that you’ve taken proactive steps to address creeping Charlie in your yard and are working hard to prevent its reappearance, consider implementing a long-term maintenance plan.

Start by regularly inspecting your yard to detect early signs of creeping Charlie. Pay close attention to the edges of your lawn and garden beds and areas with poor drainage or shade.

If you do spot a recurrence, promptly hand-pull any emerging plants before they have a chance to spread. Remember to remove the rhizomes to prevent regrowth.

Creeping Charlie prefers shady areas, so increasing sunlight exposure to affected areas can help suppress its growth. Trim overhanging branches and thin out dense vegetation to allow more sunlight to reach the ground.

As mentioned, mulching can help suppress creeping Charlie by blocking sunlight and slowing its growth. Reapply mulch as needed. In severe cases or when other methods have proven ineffective, use herbicides to control creeping Charlie.

Managing creeping Charlie requires an ongoing effort. But to restore your lawn after eliminating weeds, stay committed to your maintenance plan. It may take a growing season or two, but you can eliminate creeping Charlie from your yard.

Consider hiring professional lawn care services for expert advice and treatments if you’re struggling to control creeping Charlie or would like faster results.