Ground Ivy
Broadleaf weed
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), often called creeping Charlie or gill-over-the-ground, is a low-growing perennial in the mint family. Gardeners and growers notice it because it forms dense, spreading mats that quickly take over lawns and shaded beds, and because it is one of the harder broadleaf weeds to remove by hand once it settles in.
How to identify it
Look for round to kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges, arranged in pairs along the stem. The stems are square in cross section, a classic mint-family trait, and they creep along the ground, rooting at the nodes as they go. Crushed leaves give off a strong, sharp minty odor. In spring it produces small funnel-shaped flowers that are blue to purple. Plants stay low, usually just a few inches tall, but the trailing stems can run a foot or more.
Where it grows
Ground ivy thrives in lawns, garden beds, orchards, and other disturbed or shaded, moist soil, though it tolerates sun as well. It is most active and visible in spring and fall, flowering in spring. It spreads two ways at once: by seed and, more aggressively, by creeping stems (stolons) that root at each node, so a single plant can blanket a large area over a season.
Why it is a problem
Because it grows in dense mats and roots repeatedly along its stems, ground ivy crowds out desirable grasses and garden plants, competing for light, water, and nutrients. Any stem fragment left behind can root and start a new patch, which is why casual pulling often makes an infestation worse. It can also be toxic to horses and some other livestock if eaten in quantity.
How to manage it
Hand pulling can work on small patches if you lift the entire network of trailing stems and roots, since any node left in the soil will regrow, so follow up as new sprouts appear. A thick layer of mulch in beds smothers seedlings and blocks the light this shade-tolerant weed relies on. In lawns, the best long-term defense is a dense, healthy, well-fed turf that leaves no bare ground for it to colonize, along with correcting overly wet or heavily shaded spots and mowing at the taller end of your grass's recommended height. Cleaning tools and boots after working an infested area keeps you from carrying stem fragments to clean ground.
Commonly confused with
It is commonly confused with common mallow and with henbit or purple deadnettle, which also have rounded, scalloped leaves. The reliable tells for ground ivy are its square stems, strong minty smell, and stems that root at the nodes as they creep.
General guidance for US lawns and gardens, focused on prevention and non-chemical control. For a confirmed identification and options specific to your area, contact your local Cooperative Extension office. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.