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creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie in Lawns: How to Identify and Control It

Creeping Charlie is an herbaceous perennial, not a woody weed. Identify it first, then remove small patches thoroughly or use a labeled lawn treatment for established growth.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 4 min read
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If the weed in your lawn is creeping Charlie (ground ivy), small patches can be dug out by removing every root and runner; established patches may need a lawn herbicide labeled for ground ivy, often with repeat treatment. First identify the plant: creeping Charlie is an herbaceous perennial, not a woody weed, and these recommendations do not apply to an unidentified woody seedling or shrub.

Identify the weed before treating it

Creeping Charlie, also called ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), is a low-growing, creeping perennial in the mint family. Its typical features are:

  • Opposite, round or kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped or toothed edges.
  • Four-sided stems that spread as runners and root at their nodes.
  • Small funnel-shaped blue-purple flowers, usually appearing in spring.
  • Foliage that may smell minty when crushed.

It often grows vigorously in damp, shaded lawn areas, though it can also grow in sunnier spots. A large patch can coincide with compacted, poorly drained, or nutrient-deficient ground, but the weed alone is not enough to diagnose a soil problem. See the identification guidance from University of Minnesota Extension.

Choose a control method for the patch and site

Option Best fit Key trade-off
Hand-pull or dig Small patches where you can reach and remove the entire root-and-runner system. Labor-intensive; fragments left behind can regrow, so follow-up over multiple growing seasons may be necessary.
Selective lawn herbicide Established ground ivy growing in turf, when a product label allows use on the identified weed and your grass type. May require repeat applications and can injure sensitive nearby plants; formulations and results vary.
Nonselective herbicide followed by reseeding Severe infestations where you are prepared to renovate the affected lawn. Kills desirable grass as well as the weed; this is a major renovation, not a routine spot treatment.

For a small patch, remove every runner

Pull or dig out the plants, taking care to remove roots and creeping stems. Collect plant debris, especially in beds, so stems do not re-root. Iowa State Extension cautions that pulling and digging often fail when fragments remain, and repeated removal may be needed across more than one growing season. Inspect the area for regrowth and remove it promptly.

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For ground ivy in turf, consider a labeled selective herbicide

Extension guidance supports postemergence broadleaf herbicides as an option in lawns and identifies triclopyr as an effective active ingredient. Other products may contain fluroxypyr or combinations such as 2,4-D, MCPP (mecoprop), and dicamba. Recommendations differ: Iowa State describes triclopyr and 2,4-D as effective, while Minnesota Extension says 2,4-D alone is not very effective. Product formulation and the weed population can affect performance, so no single formula is universal.

Use only a product whose current label permits treatment of ground ivy in your turf type, and follow all label directions for timing and precautions. Lawn herbicides can harm sensitive ornamentals and other desirable plants; do not use selective lawn treatments in flower or vegetable beds. Do not assume a product is available or labeled for your lawn simply because an ingredient is discussed in extension guidance. See Iowa State Extension’s control guidance and University of Illinois Extension’s lawn recommendations.

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Reserve lawn renovation for severe infestations

For a severe infestation, Illinois Extension describes using a nonselective herbicide such as glyphosate and reseeding, ideally in fall. Nonselective treatment kills existing lawn grass too. Treat it as a renovation decision, follow the product label, and plan to establish new turf in the treated area rather than expecting the existing lawn to survive.

Time treatment for active growth and follow up

Treat while ground ivy is actively growing. Extension sources commonly favor fall, but regional recommendations are not a substitute for local conditions or the product label. Illinois Extension also lists mid-spring to early summer as a possible treatment window. Iowa State specifies late September through early November and recommends a second application about a month later; Illinois advises that a repeat treatment three to four weeks after the first may help, and that one or two fall applications may be needed. Use those dates as regional guidance, not a fixed calendar for every location.

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After treatment, check the area for surviving or returning growth. A single application may not control an established patch; follow the label’s interval and maximum-use instructions before applying again.

Make the lawn less inviting to reinvasion

A dense, healthy lawn competes better with ground ivy, but correcting one condition will not necessarily eliminate an established mat. Illinois Extension recommends higher mowing, fertilizing as needed, and overseeding in fall. In shaded sites, consider shade-tolerant grasses such as fine fescue. If deep shade keeps turf weak, mulch or a suitable shade-loving groundcover may be more practical than repeatedly trying to maintain grass there.

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Ken Johnson, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, wrote on May 1, 2026: “Creeping Charlie can grow in a wide range of conditions, but prefers shaded areas with damp, fertile soils.” His home-landscape guidance also discusses control and renovation.

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Skip borax as a shortcut

Borax is not a reliable or recommended ground-ivy treatment. Illinois Extension reports inconsistent results and a risk of long-term soil damage; its 2026 guidance also notes that borax is not labeled as an herbicide and may damage turf. Use a treatment labeled for the identified weed and site instead.

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