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Glechoma spp.
Ground ivies
Overview
Glechoma 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 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 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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 8"
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
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 violetFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Glechoma 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.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons