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Creeping Charlie Giude

Identify

Inspect

Treat

Prevent

How to Identify Creeping Charlie

Learn What Creeping Charlie Is and How to Recognize It

Creeping Charlie is a fast-spreading perennial weed introduced to North America by early European settlers as ground cover. This invasive weed reproduces through roots, stems, and seeds, and can even climb buildings. Commonly known as ground ivy or gill-on-the-ground, Creeping Charlie is often mistaken for henbit.

Key Characteristics of Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie can be identified by the following features:

  • Grows low to the ground in dense mats
  • Leaves are bright green, round or kidney-shaped, with scalloped edges
  • Leaves grow in pairs, opposite each other on the stem, attaching at leaf nodes
  • Produces small blueish-purple, funnel-shaped flowers along the stem in spring
  • When crushed, the plant emits a mint-like odor

Where and When Does Creeping Charlie Grow?

Creeping Charlie thrives in moist, shaded areas, often growing beneath trees, shrubs, and along damp lawns.

  • Found throughout most U.S. states
  • Grows actively from spring to fall
  • Blooms with distinctive flowers between April and June

By understanding these traits, you can quickly identify Creeping Charlie and take the necessary steps to manage it.

Discover how to locate Creeping Charlie in your yard in the next section of our 4-part Creeping Charlie guide. Click the right arrow below to continue reading.

How to Identify Creeping Charlie in Your Yard

Where and When Does Creeping Charlie Thrive?

Creeping Charlie can quickly take over your lawn, spreading rapidly across large areas of turf. Knowing where and when this weed grows will help you proactively address it and ensure you’re using the correct products for effective control.

Where Does Creeping Charlie Grow?

Creeping Charlie is found throughout the United States and tends to thrive in areas with these conditions:

  • Damp, moist soil with poor drainage
  • Shaded areas
  • Beneath trees and shrubs
  • Lawns with thin or sparse turf

When Does Creeping Charlie Grow?

Creeping Charlie grows actively from spring through fall, depending on local temperatures. It is often mistaken for henbit, a winter annual weed. The key difference is that Creeping Charlie grows in the spring and fall, while henbit grows during the fall and winter.

By identifying the growing conditions and seasons of Creeping Charlie, you can better target it for effective treatment.

If you spot Creeping Charlie in your lawn, learn how to eliminate it with our How to Kill Creeping Charlie guide. Click the right arrow below to get started.

Creeping Charlie Weed Treatment

Your Guide to Eliminating Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy or gill-on-the-ground, is a fast-spreading invasive weed that thrives in moist, shaded areas of your lawn. This persistent weed spreads through roots, seeds, and stems but can be effectively managed with the right approach and products. Keep reading to learn how to eliminate Creeping Charlie from your lawn.

Step1 Improve Lawn Conditions

Creeping Charlie thrives in damp, shaded areas, so improving lawn conditions is a key step to controlling and preventing its spread.

  • Evaluate Lawn Drainage: After rainstorms, check for areas where water pools. Poor drainage may require landscaping adjustments or improved irrigation to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Water Smart: Avoid overwatering your lawn. Use sprinklers in the morning to allow water to evaporate throughout the day. This reduces the risk of weeds like Creeping Charlie and lawn diseases caused by excess moisture.
  • Increase Sunlight: Trim back overhanging tree branches and shrubbery where possible to allow more sunlight to reach shaded areas of your lawn.
  • Maintain Lawn Health: A thick, well-fertilized lawn can naturally resist Creeping Charlie. Dense, healthy grass leaves little space for weeds to establish. Follow a lawn care schedule to ensure your lawn receives proper nutrients and care year-round.

By addressing moisture, shade, and overall lawn health, you can create an environment where Creeping Charlie struggles to thrive.

Step2 Use a Post-Emergent Herbicide

Once you’ve improved your lawn conditions, apply a post-emergent herbicide to eliminate any remaining Creeping Charlie.

  • Choose the Right Herbicide:
  • Application:
  • Safety Precautions: Wear protective clothing, including gloves, long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes, to protect yourself while applying the herbicide.
  • After Application:

Products we recommend for Step 2

Pro Tip

Although it’s a common myth that Borax can kill Creeping Charlie, this method is ineffective and will only harm your soil by increasing its toxicity. Stick to professional herbicides or hand-pulling for safe and effective control.

Step3 Remove Weeds by Hand

For smaller Creeping Charlie infestations, you can remove the weeds manually using your hands or a hand shovel.

  • Proper Technique: When pulling the weed, ensure you remove the entire root system, as any roots left behind can regrow and produce new plants.
  • Disposal: Place the removed weeds in a lawn bag or compost bin, similar to how you handle grass clippings. Avoid leaving any plant debris on your lawn, as even small fragments can sprout and spread new weeds.

After controlling your Creeping Charlie, take steps to prevent new growth. Discover how in our Creeping Charlie Prevention Guide.

How to Prevent Creeping Charlie Weed

Stop Creeping Charlie from Taking Over Your Lawn

Creeping Charlie is a stubborn weed that can spread quickly across your lawn. Follow these tips to keep it from invading your turf.

Maintain a Healthy Lawn

Weeds like Creeping Charlie often appear in lawns that are thin, undernourished, or have inconsistent moisture levels. A strong, healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds.

  • Fertilize Regularly: Test your soil using a DIY soil test kit or consult your local extension office for a detailed analysis. Choose a fertilizer that addresses your lawn's nutrient needs and apply it according to the product instructions.
  • Overseed Bare Spots: Fill in any thin or bare areas by overseeding your lawn. Timing depends on your grass type—most turfs benefit from overseeding in early spring or fall. For more information, refer to our grass care guides.
  • Control Moisture and Shade: Creeping Charlie thrives in damp, shady conditions. Improve drainage in areas where moisture collects by landscaping or adjusting irrigation. Trim back overhanging tree and shrub branches to allow more sunlight to reach your lawn. Avoid overwatering by running sprinklers only as needed.

By maintaining a lush and well-cared-for lawn, you can prevent Creeping Charlie and other weeds from gaining a foothold.

If you suspect you have Creeping Charlie, check out our guides on how to eliminate Creeping Charlie, identify what it looks like, and discover where it typically grows.

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