Ground Ivy: Identification, Uses, and Safe Ways to Try It
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), often called creeping charlie, shows up in lawns, gardens, and shady patches. Its round, scalloped leaves and low, trailing stems make it obvious once you know what to look for. The plant also makes small purple flowers in spring. Many people pull it as a weed; others find it useful in small doses for flavor or traditional remedies.
How to identify ground ivy
Look for opposite leaves with a rounded shape and scalloped edges. The stems creep along the ground and root at nodes, forming mats. Flowers are tubular and purple or blue, about a centimeter long. Leaves smell minty when crushed because ground ivy contains volatile oils. It prefers shade and moist soil, so check under trees and along garden borders.
Uses and safety
Ground ivy has a long history in folk medicine and cooking. People have brewed it as a weak tea for mild digestive upset and used poultices on minor skin irritations. Gardeners sometimes toss a few leaves into soups or salads for a lemony-minty note. That said, modern clinical evidence is limited. Treat ground ivy as a culinary herb or folk remedy, not a substitute for medical care.
If you try ground ivy, start small. Make a tea by steeping one teaspoon of fresh chopped leaves in a cup of hot water for five to ten minutes. Taste and stop if you feel any irritation. Avoid regular high-dose use. Some compounds in ground ivy can upset the liver or interact with medications if taken in large amounts. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on blood thinners should skip it unless a healthcare provider says otherwise.
Practical tips for gardeners and foragers: Use gloves and a knife or edging tool to remove big patches in lawns. Hand-pulling works best when soil is moist so roots come out. For cooking, always wash foraged ground ivy and avoid plants growing near roads or chemical treatments. Dry leaves in a warm, ventilated spot and store them in a sealed jar for a gentle herbal tea.
If you plan to use ground ivy as a regular herbal supplement, talk with a pharmacist or clinician first. If you have liver disease, a bleeding disorder, or take prescription meds, check interactions before trying any new herb. Also, if you get skin irritation from a poultice, stop use and rinse the area.
Small and common, ground ivy is easy to overlook. It can be a minor kitchen herb or a stubborn lawn invader. Know how to ID it, use it carefully, and ask a health pro when in doubt.
Quick recipes: add a tablespoon of chopped fresh ground ivy to herb butter, or infuse it with lemon peel for a unique salad dressing. Keep servings tiny and use the herb occasionally. For large infestations, consider overseeding lawns with shade-tolerant grasses and improving drainage to make your yard less friendly to ground ivy and pets, too.
