If you’re looking for Creeping Charlie Look-Alikes that you can grow in your garden and home – this list has the best ones!
Welcome to the world of Creeping Charlie Look-Alikes and the surprising reasons they’re often mistaken for this common ground cover!
Check the list of Weeds with Blue Flowers here
What Does Creeping Charlie Look Like?
Creeping Charlie is a member of the mint family and is characterized by its square stems. The leaves have a kidney shape and toothed edges with a velvet-like texture. The flowers are tubular and purple-tinged, with clusters of small flowers at the ends of the stem.
Some gardeners love Creeping Charlie for its bright green leaves and ability to cover up shady spots, but others think it’s an annoying weed getting in the way of what they want. Once it’s established, it’s hard to get rid of, so you’ll need to keep an eye on it.
Note: Do note that we are not talking about Glechoma hederacea, and talking about Pilea nummulariifolia.
Creeping Charlie Look-Alikes
1. Creeping Jenny
Botanical Name: Lysimachia nummularia
Creeping Jenny has cup-like yellow flowers and small, round leaves. It has a creeping habit similar to Creeping Charlie, too.
2. Bugleweed
Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans
Bugleweed has longer and narrower leaves than Creeping Charlie’s rounded leaves. It grows in thick mats, like Creeping Charlie, but in a more vertical fashion.
3. Speedwell
Botanical Name: Veronica spp.
Its leaves are usually serrated but tend to grow more upright than Creeping Charlie plants, so they don’t spread as much.
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4. Swedish Ivy
Botanical Name: Plectranthus verticillatus
Swedish Ivy has rounded, slightly scalloped leaves, similar to Creeping Charlie. However, they are typically larger and have a more pronounced scalloped edge.
5. Baby Tears
Botanical Name: Soleirolia soleirolii
Its leaves are round and delicate, resembling those of Creeping Charlie in shape and size. However, they are more delicate, small, and are less textured.
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6. Wire Vine
Botanical Name: Muehlenbeckia complexa
Wire Vine leaves are small, round, and slightly glossy, akin to Creeping Charlie. They have a more wiry appearance due to their thin stems.
7. Trailing Jade
Botanical Name: Peperomia rotundifolia
Trailing Jade‘s leaves are small and succulent-like, unlike Creeping Charlie’s rounded leaves. They are thicker and more fleshy.
8. Dichondra Silver Falls
Botanical Name: Dichondra argentea
Its leaves are small and slightly heart-shaped, resembling Creeping Charlie’s in shape but with a more silvery sheen.
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Tips for Identification, Differences, and Characteristics
Always search for the plant with its botanical name – Pilea nummulariifolia. Recognizing this plant is essential for gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
1. Leaf Shape and Appearance
- Distinctive Features: The leaves are round, slightly scalloped, and have a bright, glossy green appearance.
- Texture: They are often soft to the touch.
2. Growth Pattern
- Creeping Habit: True to its name, Creeping Charlie exhibits a trailing or creeping growth habit.
- Versatility: It can grow as a ground cover or in hanging baskets, where its trailing vines are more pronounced.