Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy / Lawn Weed with Grass)
Glechoma hederacea · Perennial broadleaf weed (often invading lawns alongside mixed grasses)
Grass Family
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Groundcover
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9
About This Grass
Dominated by low-growing, scalloped, kidney-shaped leaves with a pleasant minty scent when crushed; occasional stray grass blades are visible
Blade Characteristics
Not primarily a grass, but scattered grass blades present are medium-width with pointed tips
Root System
Fibrous roots nodes that root easily wherever stems touch the soil, forming a dense, persistent mat
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and southwestern Asia; widely naturalized in North America
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, creeping aggressively via above-ground runners to form dense mats
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in moist, shady to partially sunny areas; moderate to high moisture requirements
Mowing & Maintenance
Tolerates low mowing but spreads rapidly regardless; high maintenance if attempting eradication
Special Characteristics
High invasiveness in shady, damp lawns, difficult to control without broadleaf herbicides
Ecological Information
Introduced species, provides early nectar for pollinators but often crowds out desirable turfgrasses
Notes
Front lawn right