Glechoma spp.

ground-ivies

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

HardinessZones 3–10

Overview

Glechoma spp. is a genus of about 12 species of low, creeping perennial herbs in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to Europe and Asia. Plants spread by square, trailing stems that root at the nodes, forming dense mats only 2-8 in (5-20 cm) tall but extending several feet across. The leaves are rounded to kidney-shaped with scalloped margins, 0.4-1.6 in (1-4 cm) wide, and release a sharp minty scent when crushed. Small two-lipped flowers in blue to violet, about 0.5-0.9 in (1.3-2.2 cm) long, open in whorls in the leaf axils in spring. The widespread G. hederacea, ground ivy or creeping charlie, is a common weed of lawns, gardens, and damp shaded ground across the northern hemisphere, and variegated forms are grown as trailing container and groundcover plants. The genus tolerates shade, moisture, and a range of soils, and its rooting stems let it spread quickly and persist. Foliage is held through mild winters. The flowers are visited by bees and other early pollinators.

Native Range

Glechoma spp. is native to Europe and temperate Asia. G. hederacea has naturalized widely in North America and other temperate regions, where it is often a lawn and garden weed. Plants occur in damp woodland, hedgerows, grassland, and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Variegated Glechoma spp. forms are grown as trailing plants in hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers, and as a groundcover in shaded, contained areas. The trailing stems spill over pot edges. The species is generally treated as a weed where it escapes into lawns and natural areas.

How to Identify

Identify Glechoma spp. by creeping square stems that root at the nodes and rounded, scallop-edged leaves that smell minty when crushed. Blue to violet two-lipped flowers sit in clusters in the leaf axils in spring. The combination of a low rooting mat, kidney-shaped leaves, and mint scent separates it from similar creeping plants.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 8"

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, roughly April to June in temperate regions. Blue-violet flowers open in small whorls along the trailing stems over several weeks. Some bloom continues into early summer in cooler areas.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blue to violet

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam silt

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Glechoma spp. species grow in part shade to full shade, and tolerate some sun, in average to moist soil with a pH near 6.0 to 7.5. They adapt to most soil types and spread fast by stems that root wherever they touch the ground. The genus is cold-hardy through USDA zones 3 to 10 and needs little care once established. Because G. hederacea roots at every node, it can move into lawns and beds and is hard to remove. Container culture or a contained bed limits the spread of the ornamental variegated forms. Plants grow most densely with steady moisture and some shade.

Pruning

Trailing stems are trimmed back at any time during growth to contain the spread. Removing rooted runners along the edges of a planting keeps it from invading lawns and beds. Shearing after flowering renews dense foliage.