Ground Ivy Plant Care

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Glechoma genus. Ground Ivy is native to Europe, Asia. Ground Ivy is also known as Creeping Charlie, Alehoof, Gill-over-the-ground.

Ground Ivy displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Ground Ivy produces small, tubular purple flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Ground Ivy every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Ground Ivy thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Ground Ivy in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Glechoma hederacea tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Ground Ivy prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Ground Ivy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Ground Ivy every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Ground Ivy is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Ground Ivy can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m). Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Ground Ivy while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Ground Ivy is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Ground Ivy can be propagated through division, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to glechoma grandis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Ground Ivy is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Ground Ivy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Ground Ivy is native to Europe, Asia.