Variegated Ground Ivy: Glechoma hederacea ‘Variegata’ in Gardens and Containers

Glechoma hederacea ‘Variegata’ has heart-shaped, variegated leaves of green and creamy white growing along vigorous, creeping stems. Small purple flowers bloom close to the foliage. Easily grown in any well-drained soil with limited water once established. Variegated Ground Ivy is very effective as a cascading plant in mixed containers, hanging baskets or over walls. Tolerates varying amounts of foot traffic.

The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours). Glechoma hederacea is considered an invasive species in many parts of the country. We encourage our customers to use this plant with care if you are in the regions of the country where this plant is considered problematic. Current information lists Glechoma as invasive in CT, DC, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OR, PA, TN, VA, WI, and WV. The plant is not recommended for planting in FL, AL, GA, & LA. This is a fabulous plant for central California. I have this planted in several pots and it is such a beautiful spiller.

Ground ivy (creeping Charlie, Glechoma hederacea) is a non-native perennial native to Eurasia. Ground ivy primarily spreads by runners, and less commonly by seed. Conditions that favor growth while tolerant of a range of conditions, ground ivy prefers damp, fertile soil in partly shaded sites. Removing ground ivy: The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) regulates the sale of invasive plants and conducts invasive plant species status assessments. Ground ivy is on a list of species prioritized for assessment. Refer to the MDA's Invasive Plants Prevention and Control resource page for more information and a list of regulated species.

Variegated Ground Ivy has masses of beautiful spikes of blue flowers rising above the foliage from mid to late spring, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Variegated Ground Ivy is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Variegated Ground Ivy will grow to be only 2 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 30 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Variegated Ground Ivy is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot.

Ground ivy grows extensively in the wild throughout the UK and has many common names, including creeping Charlie, blue runner, hedge maids, and wandering Jenny. European settlers carried it around the world, and it has become a well-established introduced and naturalized plant in a wide variety of localities. It is also considered an aggressive invasive weed of woodlands and lawns in some parts of North America. In the absence of any biological control research conducted by the USDA, herbicides are relied upon (despite their drawbacks) particularly for woodland ecosystems. Ground ivy thrives in moist shaded areas, but also tolerates sun very well. It usually grows to 1 foot or less, branching frequently and forming a low-growing mat of stems and leaves across the ground. The tubular flowers bloom from April to June and are bluish-purple to light blue. It spends the winter as either a small ramet or a small rosette. It is a common lawn weed and is very conspicuous in the spring when its flowers are blooming. It is a difficult weed to control, but maintaining a dense, healthy lawn will help prevent this weed from establishing.

How to care for ground ivy: Once established, ground ivy needs very little care. Trim back anytime during the growing season if stems become long and straggly, or if leaves are looking tatty, to keep plants tidy with plenty of fresh growth. To remove unwanted ground ivy from a lawn, rake vigorously using a spring-tined rake to lift up the long stems and then mow immediately. In a border, hoe out during dry weather. Spreading stems root where they touch the soil, so look for rooted stems to detach from the parent plant to be potted up or transplanted directly. Propagate by division in spring or autumn, or by softwood cuttings in late spring.

In terms of pests and diseases, slugs and snails may eat young growth but the plant is usually sufficiently vigorous to tolerate this. Ground ivy is an invasive perennial broadleaf weed in the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is native to Eurasia. It can be a problem in heavy, rich soils with good fertility, high moisture, and low boron content. Because the plant is stoloniferous and continues to spread from its roots or bits of stem which reroot, even small infestations resist repeated hand weeding. Ground ivy is also unusually sensitive to boron, and can be killed by applying borax (sodium tetraborate) in solution. However, borax is toxic to ants and to animals at only slightly higher concentrations, and does not break down in the environment. It is grown as a garden plant in pots and occasionally as a groundcover, easily cultivated, and it grows well in shaded places.

Ground ivy is often used for a trailing effect in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. It is a good source of nectar for bees and butterflies and is valuable for mixed plant displays in gardens and urban settings. In terms of numeric data, the plant reaches about 2 inches in height without flowers, extends to about 3 inches with flowers, and can spread up to 30 inches. Glechoma hederacea thrives in moist, fertile, loamy soils, prefers shade to partial sun, but can handle sun when conditions are not extreme. It is tolerant of urban pollution and can thrive in inner-city environments, making it a versatile option for gardeners seeking a resilient spiller in containers.

Ground ivy is a versatile plant for cascading looks in containers, with a fragrant, mint-like aroma when crushed. Its variegated cultivar adds bright contrasts to shaded and semi-shaded spots, contributing interest along walls, borders, and hanging arrangements. For gardeners new to this species, start with contained pots to monitor spread and avoid unintended spread into lawns or beds where it may become problematic in climates where it is invasive.

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