How to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie and Keep It from Coming Back

Creeping Charlie is an aggressive weed that prefers moist, partly shaded areas, but it grows almost as well in the sun, spreading quickly into lawns and planting beds. Also called ground ivy, the plant is actually in the mint family, which is known for its tendency to spread.

This shallow-rooted weed also has a minty odor when cut or crushed, square stems, and small, tubular flowers like other mint relatives. Kidney-shaped or rounded leaves with scalloped edges grow low to the ground along vining stems or runners. If you try to pull up this weed, you'll notice that these stems can root at each node where the leaves attach, making it seem like the plant is hanging on for dear life.

How to Control Creeping Charlie

Repeated hand-weeding is an option if you've spotted creeping Charlie early, but you must remove and destroy every bit of the roots. Don't add this plant to the compost bin because it could take root there. It's better to bag it for yard waste pickup.

If creeping Charlie has spread throughout a large area, it can be difficult to control through hand-weeding alone. If it's taking over a space where you don't want to grow anything else for at least six months, you can try smothering it under layers of cardboard or sheets of black plastic. If it's in your lawn, a broadleaf herbicide can be very effective, but it should be applied in early fall so that the plant takes the product down to its roots, weakening it as it goes dormant for winter. The most effective broadleaf herbicide for creeping Charlie contains triclopyr, generally in combination with 2, 4-D, and Dicamba. Standard herbicides without these components won't work as well.

Some years ago, the application of borax was suggested as a herbicide, but it's not effective. In addition, applying borax to the soil, even in small amounts, can make the soil less able to support lawn grasses and other desirable plants.

How to Keep Creeping Charlie from Creeping Back

The presence of creeping Charlie signals that the growing conditions for your lawn may need to be addressed. Too much shade, wet soils, or poor fertility could be issues. A healthy stand of turf makes it harder for creeping Charlie to invade your yard, or you may choose to plant a groundcover that performs better than lawn grasses can. Any open areas in your landscape, such as planting beds, can be areas where creeping Charlie pops up. Keep the areas well-mulched to reduce problems with it and other weeds.