Is ground ivy hard to kill?

Yes, it is quite persistent due to its ability to root from tiny stem fragments.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It makes a lovely trailing plant for containers, but keep it contained to prevent it from escaping.

Plant guide

Ground Ivy.

Glechoma hederacea L.

Pronounced GLEK-oh-muh hed-er-AY-see-uh

Also known as Creeping Charlie, Gill-over-the-ground, Ground Ivy, Ground-ivy, Groundivy, Haymaids

Glechoma hederacea — Photo by Markus Krieger (CC BY) via gbif

Ground ivy is a hardy, trailing perennial that spreads quickly across the ground. It is often considered a weed in lawns, but it makes a lovely, fragrant ground cover in shaded areas. You will love its small, scalloped leaves and delicate purple flowers.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 6 inches tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 10
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to help this plant thrive in its preferred shady spots. Watch for rapid spreading, as it can easily take over garden beds if left unchecked. If you see the leaves yellowing, it might be getting too much direct sun.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back runners regularly to contain its spread.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%

Safety

People: It is considered mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to horses and can cause mild irritation in cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The plant is not considered dangerous to children, but ingestion should be discouraged due to potential stomach upset.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with seasonal allergies.
Edibility: While historically used in brewing, it can be toxic to horses and should be avoided for consumption.

How to identify it

Scalloped kidney shaped leaves
Square stems typical of mint family
Small funnel shaped purple flowers
Spreads via creeping stolons
Aromatic foliage when crushed

Height: 0.05 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.3 to 1m
Leaves: green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: blue, violet, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
AphidsUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn

Because this plant is highly aggressive, it is best grown in containers or areas where it cannot spread into garden beds.

Grows well with

Hosta — They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
Ferns — They provide a nice textural contrast in woodland settings.

Similar species

Deadnettle — It has a similar growth habit but is generally less invasive.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Glechoma
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Asia.
Conservation: It is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America and should be managed accordingly.

It colonizes disturbed ground and moist woodlands by forming dense mats that outcompete native flora.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ground cover, hanging baskets

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is ground ivy hard to kill?: Yes, it is quite persistent due to its ability to root from tiny stem fragments.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It makes a lovely trailing plant for containers, but keep it contained to prevent it from escaping.

Where the name comes from

The name Glechoma comes from the Greek word for a type of mint, while hederacea refers to its ivy like leaves.

Good to know

It spreads rapidly via creeping stems that root at the nodes.
It is a member of the mint family.
It can thrive in both sun and deep shade.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.