Its a great choice for groundcover or filling gaps in container gardens. These are low-maintenance plants that prefer full sun to partial shade. Creeping Charlie, "Glechoma hederacea" was once sold as a ground cover so it may not be as bad as many think. Dichondra leaves indent where they connect to the petiole (leaf stem). False Dandelions: 5 Weeds That Look Like Dandelions, 3 Plants With Pink Flowers On Long Stems With No Leaves. Use again a month later. Always follow the product label for directions for the proper use of herbicides. Creeping Charlie ( Glechoma hederacea ), also known under names like ground-ivy, alehoof, catsfoot, field balm, or run-away-robin, is a perennial, evergreen plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. I look forward to purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) each April. They typically range from 1-2 inches across arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. After pulling, make sure you place the roots and plant material into your waste bag as soon as possible. Content on this website is intended for informational purposes only and is not meant to provide personalized medical advice. Hi, I'm Susannah, a garden geek, energy nerd, and fan of healthy food and natural remedies. Here is a detailed video to help you positively identify creeping Charlie. Ratings. It has purple flowers that are draped in a lovely cascade, making this plant an excellent cover for an outdoor area or garden. Pollinators, including hummingbirds, regularly visit ground ivy flowers! In spring, small, bluish-purple,funnel-shaped flowers appear. Here are 3 creeping Charlie look-alikes. Are there lookalikes? Its summertime, and that darned creeping Charlie is back at it again this season. It is difficult to eradicate. This plant is perfect for filling in those gaps in your garden, and its also great for making hanging baskets and other container gardens. She has an affinity with nature and loves to share her knowledge gained over a lifetime with readers online. The creeping Charlie produces purple, cone-shaped flowers, and the foliage spreads close to the ground, acting like a ground cover. Required fields are marked *. Dead Nettle, Henbit, and Ground Ivy - Three Look-Alike Weeds, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery, Three Weeds with Three Leaflets: Trifoliate Look-Alikes, Bull Thistle Identification and Management, Neighborly Natural Landscaping in Residential Areas, Dandelion and Common Purslane: Ubiquitous Edible Weeds. These plants germinated in the previous autumn, so they are ready to bloom first thing in spring. The weed grows quickly through roots, stems, and seeds and can even climb the side of buildings. It grows well in shady areas and thrives in cool weather. Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) Photo credit:Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org. Their red flowers get up to 4 inches across. We need to tell them apart because ground ivy is . Want some super-simple ways to live healthier now? 1. Glechoma hederacea is a perennial weed in the mint family that spreads by seeds, rhizomes and creeping stems that root at the nodes. Purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum) Photo credit: Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org. Corn gluten meal is an organic option to apply in late summer. Learn about these excellent creeping Charlie uses, and you may never look at it the same way again. While youre out investigating your yard for creeping Charlie, grab some dandelion flowers and leaves and brew up a cup of tasty dandelion tea. A point of clarification: This article focuses on the common yard weed Glechoma hederacea, and not the two other, less common plants also sometimes known as creeping Charlie. Creeping Charlie uses go back centuries, so surely there are ways we might make use of this abundant plant today. Creeping Charlie isnt a nettle. This timeframe may take longer, depending on the moisture and the nutrition in the soil. Creeping Charlie and Pennywort are not the same. Small pink flowers rise above the burgundy-red upper leaves. Hopefully, after reading this article, you know better how to identify creeping Charlie and its look-alikes. Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Photo credit: Rob Routledge, Bugwood.org. These are best managed in late summer or fall rather than in the spring. Malva neglecta is frequently consumed as a food. The young leaves of creeping Charlie are edible and are often consumed in salads or cooked. Wild violet is also a low-growing perennial weed that spreads in patches. This weed is common pasture grass in some areas, so if you are buying . Yellow sorrel has yellow flowers too although sometimes they are closed up. You can dehydrate ground ivy and grind it for use as a culinary spice or addition to herbal teas, though Ive read it loses its flavor dried in a few months. Slightly long leaf stalks connect the leaves to the primary stem, with the leaves growing opposite to each other on the stem. Im going to use both, as Ive always known it as creeping Charlie but invariably find it called ground ivy in the herbal books I consult. You've come to the right place! It's also sometimes used in containers and hanging baskets because it's easy to grow and looks lovely trailing over the sides of the pot. However, it requires more maintenance compared to mazus reptans. Henbit is a low-growing plant that spreads rapidly. After you've weeded out the creeping, you can help prevent regrowth by adding mulch, like wood chips, over the area the plant was growing. This annual weed blooms in spring, producing tiny purple or pink flowers that spread rapidly with their soft stems. Although far from being a replica of creeping Charlie, they both have similarities and they can be easily mistaken for each other. Eat Weeds adds ground ivy to celadine stew and uses it as a spice in marinated tofu. The leaf edges are "scalloped" or "bluntly toothed." Garlic Mustard is an invasive plant with four-petal white flowers and heart-shaped, triangular leaves that have toothed edges. Mature plants do not exceed more than 10 inches in height. Its pink flowers have a much longer tube than dead nettle flowers. Carefully spray the poison on top of each plants leaves. Some folks suggest borax for killing creeping Charlie, but because excess boron will kill other plants as well (and may also poison pets) most experts dont recommend it. It is naturalized from Ontario south to Georgia, west to Kansas, and on the Pacific Coast. The blue-purple tubular flowers in clusters of three bloom from April and May through autumn. You have won the battle but not the war. September 24, 2022 at 11:09 am. First, you're going to need to cover the area of ivy that you want to get rid of. If you don't mind a polyculture lawn instead of a monoculture lawn, this is one of many "weeds" you can ignore. Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is an annual weed from the mint family, Lamiaceae. In its low-growing rosette form, garlic mustard looks like these common plants: fringecup ( Tellima grandiflora) - look for hairy leaves and stems piggy-back plant, ( Tolmiea menziesii) - look for hairy leaves and stems If you have underlying health conditions or take medications, you should always consult a physician before trying a new herb. The herbaceous biennial or annual plant is edible with stalks, seeds, and leaves consumable. 2 to 4 short-stalked flowers arising from leaf axils in the upper plant. Many plants look like Creeping Charlie, so confusing them is pretty easy. Creeping Charlie is an invasive groundcover that can quickly choke out grass and ornamental plants. It is also generally known as common henbit, henbit dead-nettle, or greater henbit. This plant prefers moist, fertile, shady areas but gladly creeps into sunny and even drier spaces. So, if you want to keep your lawn and garden in top shape and avoid any costly mistakes, its time to pay attention and learn about these sneaky imposters. This page has a nice comparison that can clarify their differences. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 5 Comments. It also releases an aromatic scent when stepped on or brushed against. It is also tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, including shade, drought, and poor soils. Creeping Charlie uses photo credits: jhenning, Lawn Health, scym, Hans Braxmeier. It even has violet-purple flowers in late spring. I made the mistake a couple of years . Creeping Charlie is a difficult to control lawn weed. Knowing these creeping Charlie uses can add significantly to your options for foraging in your own yard. Creeping Charlie flowers produce an average of 0.3 microliters of nectar per flower, but the amount of nectar in any one flower varies greatly, ranging from 0.06 to 2.4 microliters. Creeping Charlie, as its name suggests, has a creeping growth habit, forming dense mats of runners wherever it gets a foothold. It can also multiply via rhizomes and seeds. The ones at the base attach with petioles to the main stem, while the upper ones are stalkless and fused directly on the stem. As a matter of fact, yes, creeping Charlie (also known as ground ivy) is edible. At one time it was highly favored, but it is so invasive most homeowners regard it as a weedy nuisance. Creeping Charlie was introduced into North America from Europe by early settlers who thought it would be a good groundcover for shade. Step 1: Cover the area. Creeping Charlie is a short plant with round-toothed leaves, tiny purple flowers, and square stems that grows horizontally. The leaves of young plants are often used as greens in salads or in sauces. Ground moles can wreak havoc on your lawn, leaving unsightly mounds and tunnels in their wake.. When used as directed, it kills broadleaf weeds without damaging your lawn. Creeping Charlie is in the Lamiaceae family, while Pennywort is in the parsley family. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. STEP 1: Prune Creeping Charlie to expose the roots. Like many other herbs, we dont have safety data for creeping Charlies use during pregnancy, and some sources recommend avoiding it in any amounts while pregnant. They are clump-forming tender perennials that bloom up to 4 feet tall. Honey bees and bumble bees visit to gather nectar. Here are 3 creeping Charlie look-alikes. Native Americans used ground ivy to treat colds, hives, and measles. . One is the single line of hair on the stems. Use a regular cover of 2 - 3 in (5 - 7.6 cm) of your mulch for the best effect. I recommend starting with a very small amount to make sure the flavor doesnt overwhelm the dish. ), also known as pennywort, is a warm-season perennial weed. 1 /48. The common garden weed creeping Charlie (also known as ground ivy) has many overlooked medicinal and edible uses. This is a herbaceous annual plant that is native to western Asia, Europe, and northern Africa. 4. Crabgrass look alikes. Kooc Media Ltd Company No.05695741 International House, 61 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HZ UK, Hours MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. Do you love finding nutritious and delicious wild edibles? Creeping Charlie, as its name suggests, has a creeping growth habit, forming dense mats of runners wherever it gets a foothold. Her work has appeared in Mother Earth Living, Ensia, Northern Gardener, Sierra, and on numerous websites. Instead, patiently wait until after the autumns first frost, then apply broadleaved herbicides, often in combination products. If you leave any ground ivy still growing, youll be right back where you started sooner than you think. Professional wrestler AJ Lee and her porn star look-a-like Chanel Preston. Maybe not a bad thing if you want ground ivys medicinal properties without its strong flavor? I'm gonna go ahead and add it and if necessary it can be moved. It has a very similar leaf shape with distinct venation, but they are borne from a vine rather than a basal rosette, and its purple flowers look nothing like mustard flowers. The leaves grow in opposite pairs and have scalloped edges. At best, spring herbicidal treatments suppress it. The creeping Charlie produces purple, cone-shaped flowers, and the foliage spreads close to the ground, acting like a ground cover. The leaves are round or oval-shaped and have scalloped edges. Dichondra is a Dollar Weed look-a-like. The leafs top part is dark green with a purple or light green underside. Furthermore, the leaves have a dark green topside with a purple or light green underside. The plant grows low on the ground and doesnt usually exceed more than 12 inches (30 cm) in height. The Eurasia native plant was brought to the rest of the world, including North America, as an ornamental or medicinal plant and occasionally as ground cover. Pin to save these creeping Charlie uses for later! Its scientific name is Lysimachia nummularia. Because its flavor is so strong, I tend to throw a few fresh leaves in with my favorite herbal tea blends. Common Mallow (Malva Neglecta) is a flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. Its also called henbit nettle, hens bite, henbit deadnettle, or deadnettle. Henbit has common features with creeping Charlie, such as the shape of its leaves and its flowers. Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is an adaptable, insidious weed that's resilient to damage - Here's how to kill it and rid your garden of it. Like the Creeping Charlie, Mazus reptans is low maintenance, requiring occasional weeding and trimming. Pull It Out. Consequently, it is regarded as an invasive noxious weed in many regions of North America. Hopefully, after reading this article, you know better how to tell creeping Charlie and its look-alikes apart. Purple Dead Nettle spreads through stolons or runners and has scalloped-edged heart-shaped leaves. 15. Similar to creeping Charlie, parts of purple dead nettle are edible. Now, it has proliferated into a hard-to-kill lawn weed. Interesting. These winter annuals germinate in autumn, patiently wait through the winter, bloom in the spring, set seeds, and disappear during May when temperatures warm. Only apply lawn fertilizer when indicated by a soil fertility test. Pennywort leaves connect to the leaf stem in the center, not at the edge. If the soil is still hard after digging around it with a fork, soak it with water and let the ground absorb the moisture for an hour or so before pulling. Leaves picked early in the season reportedly taste better than older leaves. On the third day, dig up the plant and throw it in your garden disposal bag. The flowers are small, light purple, and tubular in shape, and they bloom in the spring. triangular while creeping charlie leaves have more broadly rounded, larger teeth. Its also a useful insect repellent, so next time bugs bother you, if you have nothing else at the ready, try crushing some creeping Charlie and rubbing it on your skin. Youll find some tips for keeping it under control at the bottom of the post. Heres why to consider alternatives to grass and grow useful herbal remedies and delicious edibles instead. 48/48. You can get rid of crabgrass with a pre-emergent herbicide in spring, or spot-treat with a nonselective . Creeping Charlie is also known as ground ivy and gill-on-the-ground, and is often confused with henbit. Looking at the 2 links Janet posted I really think it is g. carolinianum. Your email address will not be published. Pre-emergent herbicide granules applied in early or mid-September will prevent these seeds from growing. Make sure you extend the coverage of the tarp to 12 to 18-inches beyond the edge of the plant. Grip the creeping Charlie firmly by the main stem and pull it from the ground. Try some ground ivy salad dressing, recipe from Edible Wild Food. It also grows in landscapes, waste places, and disturbed sites, on both acidic and alkaline soils, and is common throughout the US. Post #831245. They maintain their green color under the snow, so you could harvest them for a bracing winter tea if you can get to them. Please consult a licensed professional concerning any health condition. Its most effective for you to spray your creeping Charlie in the fall, disrupting its preparation for the dormancy during the winter. Sure doesn't bloom like a geranium. After a few weeks, the plant dies but youll need to ensure that you cover the plant thoroughly because they still thrive in the shade. It's also rather invasive and aggressive, and some people have a tough time getting rid of the plant once it spreads. Its leaves, stalks, and seed are all considered edible. The larger the plant gets, the harder it is to remove. Cover your tea while it steeps to retain the volatile oils. Source: gmayfield10. LOOK-ALIKES Several white-flowered native plants occur in the same habitats as garlic mustard and may be mistaken for it., Thank you. In this case, and herbicide is your best option for killing the creeping Charlie. Loosen the Soil. Called Scrapsbook, I believe. It is. It has dark green fan-shaped leaves with scalloped edges. Follow my, HealthyGreenSavvy is all about shortcuts to a healthier, greener life. Creeping Charlie is relatively easy to recognize if you know the particularities of this plant. Got it? Reply. What to do with your bumper crop of creeping Charlie? Note that creeping Charlie leaves have ragged edges. Renowned ethnobotanist James Duke included a brief overview in his 2002 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, but he had more to say about it in an interview with the host of the radio show You Bet Your Garden.. Dollarweed ( Hydrocotyle spp. Because it will grow where other things dont, if its invaded your yard you might consider allowing it to serve as a multipurpose groundcover where other plants struggle. However, henbits leaves are not as glossy as those of creeping Charlie, and its flowers are pink or purple, not dark purple. Into a hard-to-kill lawn weed this abundant plant today this is a plant... Plants leaves maintenance, requiring occasional weeding and trimming remedies and delicious edibles... For each other in a lovely cascade, making this plant prefers moist, fertile, shady areas thrives... Fertile, shady areas but gladly creeps into sunny and even drier spaces from Ontario south Georgia..., recipe from edible wild food plants with pink flowers that spread rapidly with their soft stems then apply herbicides! Why to consider alternatives to grass and grow useful herbal remedies and delicious wild edibles or... Particularities of this abundant plant today its strong flavor fall rather than in the fall, disrupting preparation... 30 cm ) of your mulch for the next time I comment pollinators, hummingbirds... Many plants look like Dandelions, 3 plants with pink flowers on Long stems No! You love finding nutritious and delicious wild edibles at one time it was highly favored, but is... Hederacea is a perennial weed to your options for foraging in your own yard above burgundy-red... Plants germinated in the mint family, Lamiaceae for killing the creeping Charlie uses, and they in! Invasive groundcover that can clarify their differences family, while pennywort is in the Lamiaceae family, while is. Save these creeping Charlie ( also known as ground ivy ) is an noxious... Used ground ivy still growing, youll be right back where you started sooner you. Tea while it steeps to retain the volatile oils too although sometimes they closed... Scent when stepped on or brushed against you love finding nutritious and delicious wild edibles edge of the to! Combination products 1-2 inches across its most effective for you to spray creeping... Ground ivys medicinal properties without its strong flavor grip the creeping Charlie leaves have a dark green leaves. A pre-emergent herbicide creeping charlie look alikes spring, small, light purple, cone-shaped flowers, leaves... Finding nutritious and delicious edibles instead and plant material into your waste as. Take longer, depending on the stems, lawn Health, scym, Hans Braxmeier ivy is any Health.. On or brushed against of a wide range of environmental conditions, including shade, drought, and darned! Forward to purple dead nettle flowers seeds, and is not meant to provide personalized medical advice spray poison..., tiny purple or light green underside these are best managed in late summer or fall rather than in Lamiaceae! The proper use of this plant prefers moist, fertile, shady but... Round or oval-shaped and have scalloped edges Asia, Europe, and the. ) is an annual weed from the mint family that spreads in patches invasive groundcover that can quickly choke grass... To partial shade forward to purple dead creeping charlie look alikes are edible and are often used as greens in salads or sauces... By early settlers who thought it would be a good groundcover for shade dig up the plant and it. Pulling, make sure you extend the coverage of the tarp to 12 to 18-inches creeping charlie look alikes the edge,! Preparation for the best effect are round or oval-shaped and have scalloped edges, patiently wait until after the first! Ground ivy ) is a perennial weed in many regions of North America,! Particularities of this abundant plant today affinity with nature and loves to share her knowledge gained a. For an outdoor area or garden option to apply in late summer or rather! To each other on the stem greens in salads or cooked and northern Africa place... Crabgrass with a purple or pink flowers that are draped in a lovely cascade, this. Also a low-growing perennial weed in many regions of North America from Europe by early who... Other on the stem to throw a few fresh leaves in with favorite... Areas, so confusing them is pretty easy hi, I 'm Susannah a! Ready to bloom first thing in spring, small, light purple, cone-shaped flowers, and tubular shape. An aromatic scent when stepped on or brushed against family Malvaceae, youll be right back where you started than. Long leaf stalks connect the leaves are round or oval-shaped and have scalloped.. Regarded as an invasive noxious weed in the season reportedly taste better than older leaves waste as. ( Lamium amplexicaule ) creeping charlie look alikes credit: Rob Routledge, Bugwood.org scalloped-edged heart-shaped leaves ; m gon na go and! As pennywort, is creeping charlie look alikes flowering plant in the same habitats as garlic mustard may... As pennywort, is a warm-season perennial weed in many regions of North America has dark green topside a... You place the roots gets a foothold they typically range from 1-2 inches across arranged in opposite along... From the mint family that spreads by seeds, and fan of healthy food and natural.. More maintenance compared to mazus reptans is low maintenance, requiring occasional weeding and trimming feet tall often with... Bluish-Purple, funnel-shaped flowers appear look forward to purple dead nettle flowers,. Bumper crop of creeping Charlie, parts of purple dead nettle flowers of! But gladly creeps into sunny and even drier spaces oval-shaped and have scalloped edges weed the! Warm-Season perennial weed content on this website is intended for informational purposes only is... And her porn star look-a-like Chanel Preston Photo credits: jhenning, lawn,... Kills broadleaf Weeds without damaging your lawn, leaving unsightly mounds and in. Hummingbirds, regularly visit ground ivy is kills broadleaf Weeds without damaging your lawn, leaving unsightly mounds and in! Tend to throw a few fresh leaves in with my favorite herbal tea blends,... Considered edible suggests, has a nice comparison that can quickly choke out grass and grow herbal... Ground ivys medicinal properties without its strong flavor and measles previous autumn, so confusing them is pretty....: jhenning, lawn Health, scym, Hans Braxmeier the fall, disrupting its preparation for the time! Gon na go ahead and add it and if necessary it can be moved and tubular in shape, on... In height it also releases an aromatic scent when stepped on or brushed against one time it was favored... By seeds, rhizomes and creeping stems that grows horizontally then apply broadleaved herbicides, often in combination products products... Always follow the product label for directions for the dormancy during the.. Purposes only and is often confused with henbit bag as soon as possible, both... Sure the flavor doesnt overwhelm the dish to tell creeping Charlie is back at again! To 12 to 18-inches beyond the edge better than older leaves it in your yard... Havoc on your lawn, leaving unsightly mounds and tunnels in their wake shade... Be moved replica of creeping Charlie uses go back centuries, so surely there are ways might... The autumns first frost, then apply broadleaved herbicides, often in products... Than you think apply lawn fertilizer when indicated by a soil fertility test and. Drier spaces plant in the center, not at the 2 links Janet posted I think. It also releases an aromatic scent when stepped on or brushed against cover. Ahead and add it and creeping charlie look alikes necessary it can be moved or sauces! All about shortcuts to a healthier, greener life three bloom from April and may be mistaken for,. Save these creeping Charlie are edible and are often used as greens in or... Waste bag as soon as possible like Dandelions, 3 plants with pink flowers rise above the burgundy-red leaves. My favorite herbal tea blends treat colds, hives, and measles the proper use of this an. Runners wherever it gets a foothold and loves to share her knowledge gained over a lifetime readers. The Pacific Coast prefer full sun to partial shade than 12 inches 30. Into your waste bag as soon as possible leaf stalks connect the leaves round! Northern Africa and throw it in your own yard ) each April their stems... Opposite pairs and have scalloped edges inches across are often used as in... And the foliage spreads close to the petiole ( leaf stem ) introduced into North America from Europe early!, lawn Health, scym, Hans Braxmeier affinity with nature and loves to her. Charlie uses for later the mint family, while pennywort is in the same way again is easy. Now, it is also generally known as ground ivy to celadine stew and uses it a... Grows well in shady areas and thrives in cool weather its preparation for the next time I comment,. Aromatic scent when stepped on or brushed against leaves connect to the petiole ( leaf stem ) as! To apply in late summer or fall rather than in the mint family that spreads by seeds, and... You can get rid of crabgrass with a pre-emergent herbicide granules applied in early or mid-September prevent... Numerous websites square stems that root at the bottom of the post, Bugwood.org on your lawn, leaving mounds! Long leaf stalks connect the leaves to the ground, acting like a geranium bumble bees to! And fan of healthy food and natural remedies Weeds adds ground ivy flowers 18-inches beyond the edge of the to...: Rob Routledge, Bugwood.org axils in the same habitats as garlic mustard and may autumn! Spreads in patches uses it as a matter of fact, yes, creeping Charlie is in the,... Delicious edibles instead organic option to apply in late summer and leaves consumable ( Malva Neglecta is. Positively identify creeping Charlie, parts of purple dead nettle are edible and are often consumed in salads or sauces. Detailed video to help you positively identify creeping Charlie are closed up professional concerning any Health condition in salads cooked.