Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Creeping Charlie

Fran writes~
Help. How do I get rid of Creeping Charlie? I can't hand pull it as I have to much of it.

A. Creeping charlie (sometimes spelled "creeping charley"), or ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is an aromatic, perennial evergreen creeper of the mint family that thrives particularly in moist shady areas, although it will also take some sun. It is widely encountered in most regions of the U.S. except for the Rocky Mountain states. Part of the reason for the spread of this ground ivy is its rhizomatous method of reproduction. Creeping charlie has a squarish stem that varies in length from 2" to 2'. The color of creeping charlie's leaves varies from dark green to purple. The funnel-shaped flowers of ground ivy have a bluish-purple color and the plant spreads to form a dense mat over the ground. But far from viewing creeping charlie as a wild groundcover, landscapers usually consider it a lawn weed and try to get rid of it. Landscapers spray glyphosate-based herbicides (Roundup, for example) on creeping charlie to kill this invasive weed. The University of Minnesota Extension offers a home remedy for killing creeping charlie that involves using Borax to control creeping charlie but use very carefully. Boron, the active ingredient in Borax, is an essential nutrient, needed in minute quantities for healthy plant growth. Amounts even slightly over what is needed are toxic to plants. Borax can be used against creeping charlie because the weed is more sensitive to boron than grass is. Small amounts can kill creeping charlie without permanently harming the lawn. Grass may brown a bit, but it will grow out of it. The problem is that boron does not dissipate or break down like standard weed-killers. If it is applied repeatedly or at too strong a rate, you will end up with an area where you cannot grow anything until the boron leaches out which may take years. Treat lawn with borax once each spring for 2 years. Here is the formula: Dissolve 6 oz. Twenty Mule Team Borax in 4 oz. warm water, then dilute it in 2 1/2 gallons water. This should be sprayed evenly over 1,000 square feet of lawn, no more, no less.

From: University of Minnesota Extension Service