Does Borax Kill Creeping Charlie? (What You Need to Know)

Using Borax for Creeping Charlie has long been suggested as a DIY remedy for this weed, especially as part of older homemade weed killer formulas.

However, later testing and extension guidance have raised concerns about inconsistent results and potential damage to grass when it is not applied carefully.

In this article, we’ll look at how the original borax formula was used, learn whether it actually kills Creeping Charlie, why recommendations have changed, and what safer alternatives are available for long-term control.

What is Creeping Charlie?

Glechoma hederacea, also known as Creeping Charlie, Creeping Jenny, or ground ivy, is a common invasive plant that can ruin the look of your lawn.

• Creeping Charlie is an aggressive, low-growing perennial
• It loves to live and spread in shady, moist areas.
• This plant is a member of the mint family and has a slightly aromatic scent
• It spreads through its seeds and also its vining stems, which root at their nodes
• The leaves of creeping Charlie have a distinctive coin shape with rounded, toothed edges
• It can move out of the borders and invade the lawn

Does Borax kill Creeping Charlie?

Does Borax Kill Creeping Charlie?

Borax can suppress Creeping Charlie in some cases, but it does not reliably kill it, and results are inconsistent from lawn to lawn.

Borax (sodium borate) affects Creeping Charlie’s plant metabolism by disrupting boron balance, which can stunt or injure broadleaf weeds. In practice, this means you may see temporary browning or weakening of Creeping Charlie after application.

However, several limitations matter:

• Inconsistent control: Some patches may be affected while others recover quickly.
• Selective risk is poor: Borax does not target Creeping Charlie specifically, so it can also stress or damage surrounding turfgrass.
• Regrowth is common: Even when top growth is damaged, underground runners often survive and spread again.
• Soil sensitivity: Boron can accumulate, which means that repeated applications increase the risk of long-term lawn injury.

Why Borax is no longer recommended for Creeping Charlie

• Excessive amounts of boron can damage and even destroy lawns.
• There are concerns about how long boron remains in the soil and its effect on nearby plants.

Bottom line: Borax may temporarily weaken Creeping Charlie, but it is not a consistent or reliable weed killer, and it carries a real risk of harming your lawn if misused.

Because of these issues, extension guidance and later testing (including university research such as Iowa State’s follow-up findings) have moved away from recommending borax as a dependable lawn treatment, and I no longer recommend it.

The old Borax weed killer formula

This borax weed killer formula for Creeping Charlie was originally shared from the Iowa State University website and was commonly used by gardeners in the past. Their updated guidance now notes that Borax is not recommended for lawn use due to inconsistent results and potential turf damage.

Although the formula is no longer recommended in lawn settings, it is a useful spot-treatment for weeds in hardscape areas such as cracks in driveways and walkways.

Original formula

• 10 oz. Twenty Mule Team Borax
• 4 oz. warm water
• Mix well and then dilute in 2.5 gal. water.
• Apply carefully as a targeted spot treatment (not as a lawn spray)

 

Safer alternatives for Creeping Charlie control

If you prefer not to use borax for Creeping Charlie, or are looking for methods currently recommended by extension services, there are several more reliable control options.

• Hand pulling: Most effective when the soil is moist. Best non-chemical option, especially for small infestations.
• Selective herbicides (triclopyr): Products containing triclopyr are widely recommended for Creeping Charlie and are most effective when applied in the fall. 
• Iron-based treatments: Chelated iron products can temporarily damage Creeping Charlie without harming turfgrass, but repeat applications are often needed.
• Smothering (garden beds): Use cardboard or newspaper covered with mulch to block light and kill patches in non-lawn areas.
• Improve lawn health: Creeping Charlie thrives in thin turf. Thickening grass through overseeding helps prevent reinfestation.
• Reduce moisture and shade: Improve drainage and prune trees to increase sunlight and reduce ideal growing conditions.
• Aeration: Annual core aeration helps relieve soil compaction and supports healthier turf growth that can outcompete weeds.

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🌿 Does borax actually kill Creeping Charlie… or is it just another DIY lawn myth? Some gardeners swear by it, but newer guidance raises concerns about inconsistent results and possible lawn damage. Find out what you need to know… Share on X

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Admin note: This article was originally published in June 2017 and has been updated with new photos and a printable how-to card. It also reflects updated information regarding the use of borax for Creeping Charlie, including current concerns about its effectiveness and potential impact on lawn grass.

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