How To Get Rid Of Creeping Charlie In The Lawn

Can you get rid of creeping Charlie? Yes, you can effectively get rid of creeping Charlie in your lawn with a combination of the right methods and persistence. What is creeping Charlie? Creeping Charlie, also known scientifically as Glechoma hederacea, is a low-growing, creeping perennial weed that’s notoriously difficult to eradicate due to its extensive root system and rapid spread. It forms dense mats of foliage, crowding out desirable grasses and creating an unsightly appearance in lawns. This guide will walk you through how to tackle this invasive plant.

The Challenge of Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie is a common nemesis for homeowners. Its ability to spread via stolons (above-ground stems) and seeds makes it a relentless invader. Each node on a creeping Charlie stem can take root, creating new plants. This makes ground ivy removal a task that requires a multi-pronged approach. If left unchecked, a creeping charlie infestation can quickly take over a healthy lawn, leaving bare patches and a sea of its distinctive scalloped leaves.

Identifying Creeping Charlie

Before you can effectively tackle creeping Charlie, you need to be sure that’s what you’re dealing with. Here are its key characteristics:

Leaves: Small, rounded to kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped or rounded edges. They are typically fuzzy.
Growth Habit: It creeps along the ground, forming dense, mat-like patches.
Flowers: Small, funnel-shaped, usually bluish-purple or lavender flowers appear in spring and early summer.
Stems: Square stems, a characteristic of the mint family, to which it belongs.
Smell: When crushed, the leaves have a distinct, often unpleasant, minty odor.

Strategies for Eliminating Ground Ivy

Eliminating ground ivy often requires patience and a consistent application of various control methods. There isn’t a single magic bullet; instead, success comes from combining different tactics.

Cultural Practices to Discourage Creeping Charlie

A healthy, dense lawn is your best defense against creeping Charlie. By promoting vigorous turf growth, you can naturally outcompete this invasive weed.

Mowing Practices

Mow High: Set your mower to a higher setting. Taller grass shades the soil, making it harder for weed seeds to germinate and for creeping Charlie to establish itself. Aim for a mowing height of 3-4 inches for most cool-season grasses.
Sharp Blades: Ensure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades tear grass, creating stress and making it more susceptible to weeds and diseases.

Watering Wisely

Deep and Infrequent: Water your lawn deeply but less often. This encourages grass roots to grow deeper, making them more drought-tolerant and better able to compete with weeds. Avoid frequent, shallow watering, which can weaken your turf.
Water in the Morning: Water early in the day to allow the grass blades to dry before evening. This helps prevent fungal diseases, which can weaken your lawn and open the door for weeds.

Fertilization

Proper Nutrition: Feed your lawn with the right nutrients at the correct times. A balanced fertilizer program promotes strong root development and dense turf growth, which is crucial for ground ivy control. Consult your local extension office for specific fertilization recommendations for your grass type and region.

Aeration and Dethatching

Improve Soil Health: Over time, soil can become compacted, and a layer of thatch can build up. Aerating your lawn (removing small cores of soil) and dethatching (removing the layer of dead grass and debris) improves air, water, and nutrient penetration to the roots. This promotes healthier grass and makes it harder for creeping Charlie to spread. Perform these tasks in the fall or spring when the grass is actively growing.

Manual Removal of Creeping Charlie

For small infestations or as a complementary method, manual removal can be effective.

Hand-Pulling

Timing is Key: The best time to hand-pull creeping Charlie is when the soil is moist, making it easier to pull up the entire root system.
Get the Roots: It’s essential to remove as much of the root system as possible. If you leave even small pieces of the root, the plant can regrow.
Persistence: Be prepared to repeat this process regularly, as new plants can sprout from missed roots or seeds. This is a labor-intensive but a good option for natural ground ivy killer enthusiasts.

Using Tools

Weeding Tools: Specialized weeding tools can help dig out the roots. Look for tools that can get under the creeping Charlie without disturbing the surrounding grass too much.

Chemical Control Methods for Creeping Charlie

When cultural and manual methods aren’t enough, herbicides can be a powerful tool for killing creeping charlie.

Herbicide Selection

Choosing the right herbicide is critical. Creeping Charlie is a broadleaf weed, so you’ll need a broadleaf herbicide.

Selective Herbicides: These are designed to kill broadleaf weeds while leaving grasses unharmed.
Common Active Ingredients: Look for products containing triclopyr, 2,4-D, MCPP (mecoprop), or dicamba. Often, a combination of these ingredients provides the best results.
Brand Names: Many commercial weed killers are available. Always read the label to ensure it’s effective against creeping Charlie and safe for your specific lawn type.

Application Timing

Spring and Fall: The most effective times to apply herbicides for creeping Charlie are in the fall (late September to mid-October) and early spring (late March to mid-April).
- Fall Application: During this time, creeping Charlie is actively moving nutrients to its roots, making it more susceptible to herbicides that translocate throughout the plant. The surrounding grass is also typically dormant or semi-dormant, reducing the risk of damage.
- Spring Application: Early spring, before temperatures get too hot, is also a good time. The plant is actively growing, and the herbicide can be absorbed effectively.
Avoid Hot Weather: Never apply herbicides when temperatures are above 85°F (29°C), as this can damage your lawn grass.
Avoid Drought Conditions: Ensure the lawn is well-watered before application, as stressed grass is more prone to herbicide damage.

Application Techniques

Read the Label: This cannot be stressed enough. Always read and follow the label instructions carefully regarding mixing ratios, application rates, safety precautions, and re-entry intervals.
Even Coverage: Use a broadcast spreader or a pump sprayer to ensure even coverage. Overlapping application areas can lead to turf injury.
Spot Treatment: For smaller infestations, spot treating with a spray bottle can be more efficient and reduce the amount of herbicide used.
Wind Conditions: Apply herbicides on a calm day to prevent drift onto desirable plants or sensitive areas.

Natural and Organic Approaches to Ground Ivy Control

For those who prefer a more eco-friendly approach to removing ground ivy from lawn, several organic options exist.

Vinegar-Based Weed Killers

Horticultural Vinegar: Vinegar with a higher acetic acid content (10-20%) can kill creeping Charlie on contact. However, it also kills grass. Use it for spot treatment only and be aware that it may require multiple applications.
Household Vinegar: Less effective, but can be used for very small patches.

Boiling Water

Direct Application: Pouring boiling water directly onto creeping Charlie can kill it. Again, this will also kill any grass it touches, so use it with caution and only on targeted areas.

Corn Gluten Meal

Pre-Emergent: Corn gluten meal acts as a pre-emergent herbicide, preventing weed seeds from germinating. It’s most effective when applied in early spring before creeping Charlie seeds sprout. It also provides nitrogen to the lawn.

Essential Oils

Clove Oil, Citric Acid: Some organic herbicides use essential oils like clove oil or ingredients like citric acid. These can be effective on contact but often require repeat applications and may not kill the root system as effectively as synthetic herbicides.

Benefical Nematodes

Soil Dwelling Pests: While not a direct killer, certain beneficial nematodes can target soil-dwelling insects that may weaken the creeping Charlie’s root system, making it more susceptible to other control methods. This is a more advanced biological control.

When to Call the Professionals

If you have a severe creeping charlie infestation, or if you’re finding it challenging to manage on your own, consider hiring a professional lawn care service. They have access to specialized products and equipment, and their expertise can often provide a more effective and efficient solution. They can also help diagnose underlying lawn problems that might be contributing to the weed’s spread.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Ground Ivy

The best way to get rid of ground ivy is typically a combination of strategies. For most homeowners, this means:

Strengthening your lawn: Healthy, dense turf is your first line of defense. Focus on proper mowing, watering, and fertilization.
Targeted herbicide application: Use a selective broadleaf herbicide with active ingredients like triclopyr or 2,4-D, applied during the optimal fall or early spring windows.
Persistence: Be prepared to repeat treatments. Creeping Charlie is a tough weed, and it may take a season or two of consistent effort to gain full control.

Timeline for Eradication

Initial Control (1-2 months): You should start seeing visible results within weeks of applying an appropriate herbicide.
Significant Reduction (3-6 months): With consistent effort and cultural practices, you can significantly reduce the amount of creeping Charlie.
Long-term Management (Ongoing): Maintaining a healthy lawn is crucial to prevent its return.

Factors Influencing Creeping Charlie Growth

Several environmental factors can encourage creeping Charlie to thrive:

Shade: Creeping Charlie tolerates shade better than many lawn grasses, allowing it to flourish in shadier areas of the lawn.
Compacted Soil: Poor soil structure makes it difficult for grass to grow strongly, giving weeds an advantage.
Low Fertility: A nutrient-deficient lawn is more vulnerable to weed invasion.
Inconsistent Watering: Lawns that are stressed by drought or overwatering are weaker and more susceptible.

Preventing Creeping Charlie’s Return

Once you’ve successfully reduced creeping Charlie, the key is to prevent its resurgence.

Maintain a Dense Lawn: Continue with good lawn care practices. A thick, healthy lawn is the best barrier.
Monitor Edges: Creeping Charlie often enters lawns from garden beds or unmanaged areas. Keep these areas tidy and free of weeds.
Regular Inspections: Walk your lawn regularly and pull any new creeping Charlie plants you see before they have a chance to establish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will a fertilizer kill creeping Charlie?
A1: Standard lawn fertilizers are designed to feed grass and do not kill weeds. Some specialty “weed and feed” products contain herbicides that can control creeping Charlie, but they are not pure fertilizers.

Q2: Can I use glyphosate to kill creeping Charlie?
A2: Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill all plants it comes into contact with, including your lawn grass. While it will kill creeping Charlie, it’s generally not recommended for widespread use in a lawn unless you plan to reseed the entire area. Selective broadleaf herbicides are a better choice for controlling creeping Charlie in an existing lawn.

Q3: How long does it take to kill creeping Charlie?
A3: Visible results from herbicide treatment typically appear within 1-3 weeks. However, complete eradication, especially from the root system, can take multiple applications over several months or even a year, combined with consistent lawn care.

Q4: Is there a weed killer specifically for ground ivy?
A4: While there isn’t a single “ground ivy killer” that is uniquely formulated only for this weed, many broadleaf weed killers are highly effective against it. Look for products labeled for broadleaf weed control that contain ingredients like triclopyr or 2,4-D.

Q5: Can I dig out creeping Charlie and plant new grass?
A5: Yes, you can dig out creeping Charlie, but you must ensure you remove the entire root system. After removal, you can reseed or patch the area with new grass seed. However, this is only practical for very small areas. For larger infestations, other methods are more efficient.

Q6: Why is creeping Charlie so hard to get rid of?
A6: Creeping Charlie is difficult to remove because it spreads aggressively through its extensive network of creeping stems (stolons) and its ability to root from any node. It also has a deep and resilient root system that can quickly regrow if not fully removed.

By following these comprehensive strategies, you can effectively manage and eventually eliminate creeping Charlie from your lawn, restoring its health and beauty. Remember that consistency and a healthy lawn are your greatest allies in this battle.