Lawn and Turfgrass Weeds: Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.)

This species is often found growing in moist soils, in shade or full sun, and where turf is thin. It often begins to grow in shaded areas, then spreads into sunny portions of lawns via above-ground creeping stems called stolons. Ground ivy is very conspicuous during spring, mostly due to its small, funnel-shaped lavender flowers.

Life Cycle

Ground ivy is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and has a perennial life cycle. Plants are produced from seed or from nodes (growing points) on stolons. Leaves, roots, and flower stems emerge from nodes in spring, and new plants continue to develop throughout the growing season. Leaves and stems die back following hard frosts in autumn, but crown tissues survive winter and produce new leaves and stems in early spring. Flowers are produced during April and May and are eventually replaced by seeds. Seeds can germinate under cool, moist conditions and give rise to new plants; however, most new ground ivy plants arise from nodes on stolons.

Management and Control

Ground ivy is a difficult weed to control in lawns. Removal by hand is usually not effective unless stolons with nodes are removed from the soil. Improving turf density through fertilization and use of turfgrasses well-adapted to site conditions will help to slow the spread of this weed but may not provide effective suppression once ground ivy is established. Because ground ivy often begins to grow in shaded areas, converting heavily shaded turf areas to a perennial ground cover species that is well-adapted to low light (ex., pachysandra, periwinkle, or sweet woodruff) may help reduce the spread of ground ivy throughout the lawn.

Herbicides containing triclopyr alone, fluroxypyr alone, or combinations of triclopyr and fluroxypyr typically provide the best control of ground ivy. Herbicide application in the fall following the first frost allows better translocation of active ingredients to crown tissues when compared to spring applications. Repeat application over the course of the growing season and over multiple years may be needed for effective control. Reasons for poor control of ground ivy with postemergence herbicides include poor or marginal translocation of active ingredients through its extensive stolon network to crown tissues and its strong recuperative potential. Preemergence herbicides do not provide effective control of ground ivy.

*Follow label precautionary statements, restrictions, and directions regarding tolerant turfgrass species, rates, and timing of applications.

**Clopyralid-containing products should not be used on residential lawns but can be used for treating weeds in non-residential turf.  

References

Patton, A.J. 2019. Turfgrass weed control for professionals. Purdue University Extension. 128 pp.

Uva, R.H., J.C. Neal, and J.M. DiThomaso, and A. DiThommaso. 2023. Weeds of the northeast, 2nd edition. Cornell Univ. Press. 592 pp.