Creeping Charlie: identify it, treat it, keep it out
Creeping Charlie is a shade-loving perennial in the mint family that spreads by above-ground runners, rooting at every node into dense mats that smother turf. It is one of the hardest common lawn weeds to eradicate, and the realistic plan is a fall herbicide window plus fixing the shady, damp conditions it prefers.
How to identify creeping charlie
- Round to kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges on square stems
- Strong minty-herbal smell when mowed or crushed
- Small purple-blue funnel flowers in spring
- Long runners that root at each node, forming carpets in shade
Don't confuse it: Henbit has similar purple flowers and square stems but grows upright as a winter annual, while creeping Charlie hugs the ground year-round.
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When to treat
Treatment (post-emergent)
Best time: Fall (mid-September to November) when plant is moving sugars to roots
Target stage: Actively growing after first fall frost is ideal
Conditions: Apply when weeds are dry · No rain for 24 hours · Temps 50-70°F
Germination starts around 40°F soil temperature (optimal 55°F). Track your ZIP's live soil temperature or get an exact plan from the herbicide timing calculator.
Control plan
- 1Apply triclopyr-based herbicide (e.g., Turflon Ester) in fall for best translocation to roots
- 2Combination of triclopyr + 2,4-D + dicamba is more effective than 2,4-D alone
- 3Expect 2-3 annual applications over multiple years for heavy infestations
- 4Improve turf density and reduce shade to prevent reinvasion
Good to know
- • Aggressive perennial broadleaf that spreads by stolons forming dense mats
- • Round scalloped leaves with distinctive minty odor when crushed
- • Thrives in shady, moist areas where turf is thin
- • Extremely difficult to control with a single application; creeping stems root at every node
Products that work on creeping charlie
These picks are not filtered to your lawn. Some herbicides damage certain grasses (atrazine is for warm-season lawns; Trimec harms St. Augustine). Verify your grass type on the product label before applying, or use the herbicide timing calculator for grass-filtered recommendations. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
post-emergent
Triclopyr 4EC (Turflon Ester)
Triclopyr · Fall (October-November) for best results on difficult weeds
Safe for: Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass and more
Triclopyr 4EC (Turflon Ester) on AmazonWhere it's most common
Frequently asked questions
What actually kills creeping Charlie?
Triclopyr-based selective herbicides applied in fall, ideally after the first light frost when the plant is banking energy. Expect to repeat next fall; established mats rarely die in one pass.
Does the borax home remedy work?
Skip it. Boron does suppress ground ivy but the effective dose is close to the dose that damages grass and persists in soil. University extensions stopped recommending it years ago.
Why does it keep coming back in the same bed edge?
It thrives in moist shade where turf is weak, and any surviving runner fragment re-roots. Thin the canopy or switch that zone to a shade-tolerant grass or groundcover, and edge beds so runners cannot slip in unnoticed.
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