How To Get Rid of Creeping Charlie in Your Lawn

Introduction

If you’ve spent any time caring for your lawn, you’ve likely come across the invasive weed known as Creeping Charlie. Often referred to as ground ivy, this common broadleaf weed, characterized by its round leaves and small purple flowers, can be a significant headache for homeowners across North America. Despite its seemingly innocent appearance, this resilient weed can quickly overrun gardens and lawns, especially in shady areas, making it vital to understand how to get rid of Creeping Charlie properly.

Understanding what Creeping Charlie is and what’s required to control or kill Creeping Charlie is the first step in the recovery of a healthy lawn. For many, this common weed is a bane of their existence, but with the right knowledge, it is possible to eradicate it from your green spaces for good.

What is Creeping Charlie?

Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a low-growing, broadleaf weed native to Europe but has since made its home across many parts of North America. Recognizable by its round, scalloped leaves and tiny purple flowers, it’s a member of the mint family. But don’t let its delicate flowers fool you; Creeping Charlie weed is a highly invasive plant that can quickly dominate your garden or lawn if left unchecked. Given its proclivity for shady areas, it often thrives in spots where your grass might be thin or weak.

Why it’s important to control its growth.

Controlling and attempting to kill Creeping Charlie is vital for several reasons:

1. Health of Your Lawn: Creeping Charlie competes with grass and other plants for nutrients. If it’s allowed to spread, it can lead to patches of weak or dead grass.
2. Invasive Nature: As an invasive weed, it can easily spread, not just in your yard but to neighboring areas as well.
3. Resilience: This is a stubborn weed. Once established, it becomes even harder to get rid of Creeping Charlie, requiring more aggressive methods such as chemical control or using a weed killer with the right active ingredient.

Understanding Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie, an unwanted guest in most lawns across North America is more than just an annoying lawn weed. To really address Creeping Charlie issues, it’s important to first understand its nature, growth patterns, and where it thrives.

Scientific Background

Creeping Charlie, often referred to as ground ivy, goes by the botanical name “Glechoma hederacea”. It’s classified under the Lamiaceae family, which interestingly, is the same family as mint. While this might suggest a fragrant and harmless plant, make no mistake: when it comes to lawn care, creeping charlie weed is a resilient weed that challenges even the most dedicated gardeners.

One of the reasons why it’s so challenging to kill Creeping Charlie is its growth pattern. This broadleaf weed spreads through its stolons (horizontal stems). As these stems grow, they root at the nodes, leading to more charlie plants. This ability not only helps it cover ground rapidly but also makes hand pulling less effective since any left-over roots can lead to new plants.

Where It Thrives

Understanding where Creeping Charlie thrives is key to effective weed control. This invasive weed prefers shady areas, though it’s not uncommon to see it in sunlit patches if the conditions are right. While it’s versatile enough to grow in various environments, it particularly likes moist, fertile soils.

Although originally from Europe, it’s now found throughout North America. Due to its adaptive nature, it can thrive in a variety of conditions, making it a common weed in many gardens and lawns. This widespread presence signifies the importance of taking proactive measures, be it through chemical control, herbicide applications, or other means, at the best time to prevent its spread and maintain a healthy lawn.

Recognizing Creeping Charlie Infestations

While getting rid of Creeping Charlie is a common and frustrating endeavor for many homeowners across North America, accurately identifying this lawn weed is the first step towards effective weed control. Creeping charlie, also dubbed ground ivy, has distinct features that set it apart, but it can sometimes be mistaken for other common weed types. Let’s break down how to spot this resilient weed and differentiate it from others.

Distinct Features

Creeping Charlie has some unmistakable characteristics which, once recognized, can aid in your mission to kill Creeping Charlie from your lawn.

• Leaf Shape and Color: Creeping Charlie boasts round to reniform (kidney-shaped) leaves with scalloped edges. Their rich green color can sometimes have a hint of purple, especially when growing in shady areas.
• Flowering Patterns: One of the telling signs of Creeping Charlie weed are its small, funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in a beautiful shade of lavender or light purple, typically in the early spring.

Commonly Confused Weeds

The challenge in weed control often lies in distinguishing the actual invasive plants from look-alikes. Several plants bear a resemblance to Creeping Charlie, making the task a bit tricky.

• Henbit: Often mistaken for Creeping Charlie, Henbit has similar purple flowers but differs in its leaf structure. Instead of the rounded scalloped leaves of creeping charlie, Henbit has more deeply lobed leaves.
• Purple Deadnettle: Another doppelganger, this weed is taller than Creeping Charlie and has spade-shaped leaves. Like Henbit, its flowers are purple, leading to confusion.
• Wild Violet: Yet another invasive broadleaf weed, Wild Violet also blooms with purple flowers in the spring. Its distinctive characteristic is its heart-shaped, waxy leaves, which set it apart from Creeping Charlie.

Knowing these differences ensures that you’re targeting the right invasive weed with your weed killer or herbicide applications, optimizing your efforts to maintain a healthy lawn free from charlie plants.

The Impact on Your Lawn

Getting rid of Creeping Charlie isn’t merely about removing an invasive weed from your lawn. It’s also about understanding the depth of its impact on both the health and appearance of your outdoor space. As homeowners can attest, Creeping Charlie, while sometimes appearing benign, can wreak havoc on a meticulously cared-for lawn. Here’s how.

Effects on Lawn Health

Creeping Charlie, also referred to as ground ivy, is more than just an unsightly presence. This resilient weed actively competes with your grass for resources, potentially leading to long-term lawn damage.

• How it competes with grass: Creeping Charlie spreads rapidly, with its roots taking up space and making it harder for grass roots to grow deep and strong. As it spreads, it shades the grass underneath, especially in shady areas, making it hard for the grass to receive sunlight. The more ground this common weed covers, the less space and light your grass has to thrive.
• Its impact on soil nutrients: Every plant needs nutrients from the soil to grow. However, Creeping Charlie weed is known for its aggressive nature, sapping essential nutrients that your grass needs. As it grows, it can deplete the soil of its richness, leading to weaker grass that’s more susceptible to other pests and diseases.

The Aesthetic Impact

While the health of your lawn is important for everyone, the visual appeal of your yard likely matters too. Creeping Charlie can drastically alter the appearance of your outdoor space.

• Appearance during various seasons: In early spring, you might notice the tiny purple flowers of Creeping Charlie peeking through, which some might mistakenly find charming. However, as seasons change, this lawn weed becomes more pervasive, covering large swaths of your yard in a green carpet, often overshadowing the grass.
• How it can overrun landscape features: Garden beds, pathways, and other landscape features aren’t safe from this stubborn weed. Without proper weed control, it can quickly invade these areas, wrapping around plants or creeping between stones, diminishing the overall aesthetic appeal of your garden.

How to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie Manually

For those who want to get rid of Creeping Charlie without resorting to chemicals, manual removal offers an eco-friendly alternative. While it can be a bit labor-intensive, especially when dealing with a resilient weed like Creeping Charlie, the right techniques and tools can make the process more efficient.

Hand Pulling

Hand pulling is a tried-and-true method for removing Creeping Charlie, especially if this aggressive weed hasn’t yet taken over large portions of your lawn. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• The right way to pull out Creeping Charlie: The best time to hand-pull Creeping Charlie weed is after a rain or after watering your lawn. The soil is softer, allowing you to extract the weed with its roots more easily. Gently grasp the weed close to the ground and pull slowly, ensuring you get as much of the root system as possible.
• Tools to assist with hand removal: While it’s possible to pull these plants out with bare hands, using gardening gloves can give you a better grip and protect your hands. Additionally, a small hand fork or a weed puller can be instrumental in loosening the soil around the roots, making the removal process more effective.

Using Lawn Tools

For larger infestations, relying solely on hand pulling can be overwhelming. Utilizing the right lawn tools can expedite the removal process.

• Suitable rakes and other equipment: A garden rake can be effective in gathering larger patches of Creeping Charlie, especially in shady areas where it tends to cluster. By gently raking the area, you can collect the weeds into piles, making them easier to remove. For deeply rooted patches, a dethatching rake might be more effective in lifting the ground ivy from the soil.
• Safety precautions: Whenever you’re using lawn tools, ensure you’re wearing appropriate protective gear. This might include gloves, safety glasses, and durable shoes. Remember to check the lawn for obstacles or holes to prevent tripping or injury.

Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie with Chemical Methods

When manual methods prove insufficient to get rid of Creeping Charlie, many turn to chemical solutions. Herbicides can offer a robust and sometimes faster remedy, especially when dealing with a resilient weed like Creeping Charlie. However, the key is to choose and use them judiciously, ensuring minimal harm to the surrounding environment and other plants in your lawn.

Selective Herbicides

Selective herbicides are designed to target specific weeds without harming the desired plants, making them a preferred choice for many homeowners looking to maintain a healthy lawn.

• Recommended products: Look for herbicides with the active ingredient dicamba or triclopyr. These are proven to effectively kill Creeping Charlie without damaging your grass. When purchasing, always ensure the label mentions creeping charlie or ground ivy as one of the target invasive plants.
• How and when to apply: The best time to apply selective herbicides is in the early spring or fall when Creeping Charlie weed is actively growing. This ensures maximum absorption. Follow label directions closely for application rates and methods. Typically, you’ll want to apply when there’s no rain forecasted for the next 24 hours to prevent runoff.

Our Preferred Herbicide Products for Getting Rid of Creeping Charlie:

T-Zone SE Turf Herbicide: T-Zone is by far the best product we’ve tested when it comes to getting rid of Creeping Charlie effectively. For most individuals, the quart size will be more than plenty, as a little goes a long way. You’ll need some type of spray equipment to properly apply this one, but doing so will give you the best bet at removing Creeping Charlie quickly and effectively.

Ortho Weed B Gon 32 oz. Chickweed, Clover and Oxalis Killer For Lawns Ready-To-Spray: For those who don’t own or aren’t interested in the hassle of spray equipment, Ortho has a hose-end solution of its Weed B Gon product specifically formulated to target broadleaf weeds like Creeping Charlie. This product is simple to use, as it simply screws on to your existing hose end.

Non-selective Herbicides

Non-selective herbicides, as the name suggests, can kill Creeping Charlie and just about any other plant they come into contact with. They should be used with caution.

• Situations to use non-selective options: These are ideal for areas where Creeping Charlie has completely taken over, leaving little to no desired grass or plants. If you’re planning to reseed or replant an area, using a non-selective herbicide can be effective in clearing out all vegetation, including this stubborn weed.
• Caution and environmental considerations: Given their potency, it’s essential to use non-selective herbicides sparingly and precisely. Avoid application on windy days to prevent the chemical from drifting to non-target areas. Also, always consider the environmental impact. Over-reliance on weed-killer chemicals can harm beneficial insects and potentially leach into water sources.

Remember, while chemical control can be a powerful tool in the battle against invasive weed species like Creeping Charlie, it’s vital to use these products responsibly. By doing so, you can achieve a balance between effective weed control and maintaining a vibrant, eco-friendly yard.

Natural Creeping Charlie Control Methods

While chemical herbicides can be effective, many homeowners are exploring natural methods to get rid of Creeping Charlie. These solutions tend to be more environmentally friendly and pose fewer risks to the other plants and beneficial creatures in your yard. Here, we’ll delve into two popular natural methods: vinegar solutions and borax treatments.

Vinegar Solution

Vinegar, primarily its acetic acid content, can be a potent natural weed killer. However, like non-selective herbicides, it can harm any plant it touches, so precision is key.

• Preparing the mix: For an effective solution that kills Creeping Charlie, mix a gallon of white vinegar with a cup of table salt and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap. The soap acts as a surfactant, helping the vinegar stick to the leaves, while the salt dehydrates the Creeping Charlie weed.
• Application guidelines: The best time to apply the vinegar solution is on a sunny day, ensuring the Creeping Charlie gets exposed to direct sunlight post-application. Using a spray bottle, carefully spray the solution directly onto the charlie plants, ensuring minimal contact with desired plants. It’s crucial to remember that vinegar can alter soil pH, so repeated applications in the same area might affect soil health.

Borax Treatment

Borax, or sodium borate, can be an effective treatment against Creeping Charlie due to its potential to cause toxicity in this particular broadleaf weed.

• Benefits and drawbacks: The advantage of borax is its specificity. It tends to be more effective against Creeping Charlie compared to other plants. However, excessive use can render the soil infertile for a period, so caution is necessary.
• Steps to use borax safely: Dissolve 10 ounces of borax in 4 ounces of warm water to create a concentrated solution. Mix this with 2.5 gallons of water, and you’ll have a borax mixture suitable for around 1,000 square feet of lawn. Apply using a spray bottle or a garden sprayer, targeting shady areas and patches where Creeping Charlie thrives. It’s recommended to apply the borax treatment in the early spring when the ground ivy is actively growing.

Preventative Measures

While learning how to get rid of Creeping Charlie is important when you have an active issue, prevention is arguably the best way to handle this invasive weed. After all, a healthy lawn that’s resilient to Creeping Charlie and other invasive plants will save homeowners both time and money in the long run. Here, we’ll focus on enhancing lawn health and using landscaping techniques as preventive measures.

Lawn Health

A well-maintained lawn can be the first line of defense against Creeping Charlie and other unwanted weeds.

• Maintaining a robust, dense turf: One of the most effective ways to prevent Creeping Charlie is to cultivate a thick and healthy turf. Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, thrives in weak, thin, or patchy lawns. By ensuring your grass is dense, it becomes difficult for this common weed to establish a foothold.
• Proper watering, mowing, and fertilizing techniques: Watering your lawn deeply and infrequently encourages deeper root growth, making it more resilient against invasive weed species. When mowing, it’s best to keep the grass at about 3 inches tall to shade the soil and prevent Creeping Charlie weed seeds from germinating. As for fertilization, use a balanced fertilizer that provides the necessary nutrients without promoting excessive growth, which can lead to thatch—a perfect environment for weeds.

Barriers and Landscaping

Strategic landscaping can serve both an aesthetic and functional purpose in your efforts to weed control.

• Using natural and artificial barriers: Implementing barriers can limit the spread of Creeping Charlie. This stubborn weed tends to spread rapidly across garden beds and lawns. By using edging materials like metal, stone, or even plastic, you can prevent its growth into specific areas.
• Plant alternatives that can compete with Creeping Charlie: Certain plants can be just as aggressive and competitive as Creeping Charlie without being invasive or harmful to your lawn. For instance, in shady areas where creeping charlie thrives, consider planting native ground covers from North America. These plants can outcompete charlie plants, reducing the need for constant weed control.

Remember, a proactive approach, focusing on prevention, can be the key to maintaining a healthy lawn and ensuring that you won’t have to constantly battle with Creeping Charlie or other invasive broadleaf weeds.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Successfully implementing strategies to get rid of Creeping Charlie is just the beginning. Once you’ve tackled the problem head-on, it’s crucial to adopt ongoing monitoring and maintenance practices. This ensures that any new growth of this resilient weed is addressed promptly, preventing it from taking over your lawn again.

Regular Inspections

The best way to prevent a full-blown Creeping Charlie weed infestation is to catch it early.

• Setting a routine to check for re-infestations: Mark specific times during the year, especially during early spring when many invasive plants start to grow, to inspect your lawn thoroughly. Regularly walking through your garden and checking shady areas, where Creeping Charlie prefers, can make a huge difference.
• Identifying early signs of growth: Young Creeping Charlie plants are much easier to remove. By hand-pulling them early, you can prevent them from maturing and spreading. Look out for their unique leaf shape and the distinctive smell they release when crushed.

Follow-up Treatments

Even after a significant effort to kill Creeping Charlie, it’s not uncommon for a few plants to pop up from time to time.

• Importance of repeated treatments: A single treatment, whether manual, chemical control, or natural, may not kill Creeping Charlie entirely. This stubborn weed often requires repeated treatments to eradicate it completely. Think of it as a maintenance task, similar to mowing or watering.
• How to safely and effectively treat resurgence: If you notice a resurgence, identify the size and scale. Small patches can often be removed by hand pulling. For larger areas, consider a weed killer or herbicide with an active ingredient effective against broadleaf weeds like Creeping Charlie. Always follow label instructions and consider environmental impacts before applying.

Conclusion

Getting rid of Creeping Charlie isn’t always an overnight fix. This pervasive ground ivy is not only common but can true test of one’s patience and dedication to lawn health.

The best way to approach this invasive weed is through a combination of techniques. Whether you’ve chosen hand pulling, the use of weed-killing herbicides, or natural methods, it’s essential to remember that consistency is crucial. This stubborn weed won’t be eradicated overnight. By understanding its growth patterns and staying vigilant, you increase your chances of success.

Moreover, it’s not just about killing the weed once it arrives in your lawn. The best time to combat Creeping Charlie is before it takes over. Ensuring a healthy lawn, practicing regular weed control, and maintaining proper lawn care routines can deter this and other invasive plants from making a home in your yard.