Plant Profile

Ground IvyGlechoma hederacea

Versatile wild herb for shady garden areas.

Herbs wild herb Mint family

Calendar

Ground Ivy: plant portrait. harvest: March - October.

Quick profile

Key data

Growing calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Indoor sowing

Direct sowing outdoors

Planting outdoors

Harvest

Pruning

Indoor sowingDirect sowing outdoorsPlanting outdoorsHarvestPruning

Good neighbors

BlackcurrantApple tree

Avoid

Thyme

Indoor & direct sowing

Ground Ivy: Sowing and germination

Indoor sowing

Indoor pre-culture possible but usually unnecessary.

Direct sowing outdoors

Direct sowing in spring or autumn.

Seed depth0 - 0.5 cm

Germination temp15 - 20 °C

Germination time14 - 21 days

Light germinatorYes

Dark germinatorNo

Cold germinatorNo

Stratification neededNo

Pre-soaking recommendedNo

Planting & site

Ground Ivy: Planting and spacing

Planting outdoors

Planting of runners possible almost year-round.

Plant spacing20 - 30 cm

Row spacing25 - 30 cm

Plants per m²8 - 12 per m²

Bed widthfrom 40 cm

Site & practical notes

Title: Growth Control, Text: In small gardens, keep in pots or rigorously sever runners in autumn.

Temperature & frost

Ground Ivy: Temperature and site

Growing temperaturefrom 5 °C

Optimal temperature15 - 22 °C

Max. heatup to 30 °C

Soil temperature12 - 18 °C

Frost sensitiveNo

Late frost sensitiveNo

Heat tolerancemedium

Cold tolerancevery high

Water & nutrients

Ground Ivy: Water, nutrients and care

Watermedium

Critical water phasesEstablishment phase

Watering methodoverhead or base

Droughtlow

Waterlogging sensitiveYes

Mulching recommendedNo

Nutrient needmedium_feeder

Compost recommendedYes

Fertilizer sensitivitylow

Container & growth

Ground Ivy: Container, support and growth

Container suitableYes

Pot sizeVolume: from 2 l; Recommended: from 5 l; Diameter: from 20 cm; Depth: from 15 cm

SupportNo

Height10 - 30 cm

Width30 - 100 cm

Root depth5 - 15 cm

Root spread30 - 200 cm

Yield50 - 200 g

Year plan

Ground Ivy Calendar

Plants

Year overview

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Indoor sowing

Direct sowing outdoors

Planting outdoors

Harvest

Pruning

Recurring tasks

Start of harvestMarch - April

Young shoots are particularly aromatic.

Harvest and shape correctionMarch - April

Pruning encourages the growth of tender, aromatic leaves.

Area limitationSeptember - October

Final check of runners before winter.

Growth controlOctober - November

Remove runners to stop spreading in the bed.

Relevant now

June

No additional single task

Next up

July

No additional single task

Monthly tasks

Single tasks from monthly data; repeated seasonal windows are shown in the overview above.

January

Quiet month

February

No additional single task

March

No additional single task

April

No additional single task

May

No additional single task

June

No additional single task

July

No additional single task

August

No additional single task

September

No additional single task

October

No additional single task

November

Quiet month

December

Quiet month

Flowering & pollination

Ground Ivy Flowering & pollination

Flowering period

Months: 3, 4, 5, 6, Peak: April to May

Flower color

Blue-violet

Self-fertility

partially self-fertile

Pollinator needed

Overview

Pollination is primarily carried out by hymenopterans such as bumblebees and wild bees.

Notes

Important early forage plant for bees; often exhibits gynodioecy (separate female and hermaphrodite plants).

Pruning & care

Ground Ivy Pruning & care

Pruning type

herbaceous_maintenance

Pruning timing

Spring

Harvest and shape correction Pruning encourages the growth of tender, aromatic leaves.

Autumn

Area limitation Final check of runners before winter.

Remove

Preserve

Avoid

Tools and hygiene

Disinfect tools after contact with rust-infected leaves.

Companion guide

Ground Ivy Companion guide

Companion guide

Good neighbors

BlackcurrantApple tree

Avoid

Thyme

Use & storage

Ground Ivy Use & storage

Harvest

Best harvest time for leaves before and during flowering.

Storage

Herbaceous/Dried

Storage life

Fresh for a short time, dried long-term.

Flavor

Savory, tart-aromatic, slightly minty with a bitter note.

Harvest

Best harvest time for leaves before and during flowering.

Processing

After harvest

Use fresh or dry gently in the shade.

Edibility & safety

Ground Ivy Edibility & safety

For people

In brief: which parts are edible, which parts remain risky, and whether raw consumption makes sense.

Edible parts:Leaves, Flowers, Young shoots

Caution parts:None for humans in common household quantities

Raw consumption:Very suitable as a seasoning herb in small quantities.

Safety notes

Toxic to many mammals (especially horses and rodents). Safe for humans in moderation.

Animal safety

For animals, the plant part matters here: suitable parts sit alongside risky parts, and 14 animal profiles carry a cautious or negative rating.

Animal safety by plant part

Each row shows which parts are more suitable and which parts are critical.

Companion animals

Dog

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Stems

Risk factors

Ingestion of plant parts, Common occurrence in gardens and lawns

Symptoms

Vomiting, Diarrhea, Gastrointestinal upset

observe

Ground ivy contains essential oils and tannins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in dogs. While not classified as highly toxic, ingestion can lead to discomfort. Consult a veterinarian if large amounts are consumed or symptoms persist.

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Cat

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Stems

Risk factors

Plant part ingestion, Curious cats

Symptoms

Vomiting, Diarrhea, Gastrointestinal upset

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ground ivy contains essential oils and tannins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in cats. While no severe poisonings are reported, ingestion is not recommended. Consult a veterinarian if symptoms occur.

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Rabbit

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoots

Risk factors

Nagetiere sind besonders empfindlich gegenüber den ätherischen Ölen und Gerbstoffen in Gundelrebe. Selbst kleine Mengen können bei Kaninchen zu Verdauungsstörungen führen., Rodents are particularly sensitive to the essential oils and tannins in ground ivy. Even small amounts can cause digestive disturbances in rabbits.

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ground ivy contains essential oils, tannins, and saponins that can cause gastrointestinal upset in rabbits. Although no specific rabbit studies are available, a conservative classification as not recommended is made based on known toxicity in rodents and general plant toxicity.

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Guinea pig

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoots

Risk factors

Nagetiere sind besonders empfindlich gegenüber den ätherischen Ölen und Gerbstoffen in Gundelrebe. Selbst kleine Mengen können bei Meerschweinchen zu Verdauungsstörungen führen., Rodents are particularly sensitive to the essential oils and tannins in ground ivy. Even small amounts can cause digestive disturbances in guinea pigs.

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ground ivy contains essential oils, tannins, and saponins that can be irritating to rodents like guinea pigs. While safe for humans in moderation, small mammals face an increased risk of gastrointestinal upset. No species-specific long-term studies available, but due to known toxicity in rodents and plant composition, classify conservatively.

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Hamster

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoots

Risk factors

Rodents are particularly sensitive, Small animals have lower tolerance

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ground ivy contains essential oils and tannins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in hamsters. While not highly toxic, feeding is not recommended due to rodent sensitivity.

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Budgie

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Stems

Risk factors

Small body size increases sensitivity, Curious gnawing behavior in birds

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

No species-specific sources found for budgies. Due to known toxicity in mammals and presence of irritant compounds, a conservative assessment is made. Young shoots and flowers might be less risky, but without specific data the entire plant is considered potentially harmful. Budgies have sensitive respiratory systems and may react to essential oils. If ingestion occurs, monitor for symptoms and consult a veterinarian.

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Farm animals

Horse

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Stems

Risk factors

Fresh or dried herb, Misidentification with similar plants, Pasture access

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Diarrhea, Vomiting

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ground ivy contains essential oils, tannins, and saponins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in horses. While no specific equine studies are available, the plant is listed in veterinary sources as potentially toxic to horses, particularly with repeated ingestion or larger quantities. If ingestion is suspected, a veterinarian should be consulted.

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Chicken

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoots

Risk factors

Limited toxicology data for chickens, Plant contains compounds that are irritant to mammals

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Diarrhea, Vomiting

observe

No chicken-specific sources found. Based on known toxicity in mammals and the presence of irritant compounds, a conservative classification as not recommended is made. Young shoots and flowers may pose similar risks as leaves. If ingested, observe and consult veterinarian if symptoms occur. Not suitable as feed.

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Duck

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoots

Risk factors

Toxicity documented in many mammals, Plant parts contain potentially irritating compounds

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

No duck-specific sources found. Based on documented toxicity in mammals and the presence of essential oils, tannins, and saponins, a conservative assessment is made. All plant parts should be considered potentially risky. If ingested, monitor for symptoms and consult a veterinarian if symptoms persist or worsen.

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Goose

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Stems

Risk factors

Limited toxicology data for geese, Plant contains compounds known to be toxic to mammals

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

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Sheep

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Young shoots

Risk factors

Grazing animals, Fresh forage, High intake

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Diarrhea, Vomiting

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ground ivy contains essential oils, tannins, and saponins that can cause gastrointestinal upset in sheep. Although no species-specific sources are available, the plant is toxic to many mammals, especially horses and rodents. Sheep should not have access to fresh ground ivy, particularly not as part of their forage. If ingested, observe and contact a veterinarian if symptoms occur.

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Goat

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Stems

Risk factors

Consumption of leaves in larger quantities, Grazing in dense growth

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Diarrhea, Vomiting

observe

Ground ivy contains essential oils and tannins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in goats. While acute poisoning is not expected, consumption is not recommended due to potential discomfort.

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Cattle

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Stems

Risk factors

Grazing animals, Fresh forage, High intake

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Diarrhea, Vomiting

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ground ivy contains essential oils and tannins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in cattle. While no specific cattle studies are available, a conservative assessment is made based on toxicity in similar livestock (horses, sheep) and known active compounds. Not suitable as feed. If ingested, observe for symptoms and consult a veterinarian if signs persist.

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Pig

No suitable parts listed

Leaves, Flowers, Stems

Risk factors

Consumption of large quantities, Access to fresh plant material

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset, Vomiting, Diarrhea

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Ground ivy contains essential oils, tannins, and saponins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in pigs. Although no species-specific toxicity studies are available, a conservative classification as not recommended is made based on known toxicity in similar rodents and the presence of irritant compounds. Leaves, flowers, and stems are considered potentially risky parts. If ingested, the animal should be…

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This does not replace veterinary advice. If risky plant parts were ingested or symptoms appear, contact a veterinarian.

Max risk

4 / 5

Highest status

toxic

Urgency

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Saving seed

Ground Ivy Saving seed

Seed viability

2 - 4 years

Practical tips

Ground Ivy Practical tips

Common beginner mistakes

Underestimating the speed of spread in moist soils.

Success pattern

Rapid ground cover under shrubs from the second year onwards.

High-impact tips

Plant in a hanging basket – the trailing shoots look great.

Grower observations

In winter, the leaves often turn a decorative reddish color.

Health

Pests, Diseases

Pests

Leaf miners

Pale feeding galleries in the leaves.

Aphids

Curled shoot tips.

Diseases

Ground ivy rust

Brown pustules on the leaf undersides.

Powdery mildew

White, wipeable coating on the leaves.

Deficiencies

Nitrogen deficiency

Stunted growth, pale green to yellowish leaves.

Plant health

Diagnosis help

Ground Ivy Diagnosis help

Pest groups

Disease groups

Prevention

Diagnosis

Ground ivy is very robust; damage is usually aesthetic and rarely threatens the plant's survival.

Cultural prevention

Monitoring

Weekly visual inspection in spring

First response

Generous removal of infected shoots

Diagnostic rules

Yellow spots on top of leaves, brown pustules underneath

Possible causes: Puccinia glechomatis

Check leaf undersides

FAQ

Is ground ivy toxic?

Non-toxic for humans in normal amounts, but dangerous for horses and rodents.

Is Ground Ivy safe for Dog?

Ground Ivy is classified as do not feed for Dog. Risk: unknown. Urgency: observe. Ground ivy contains essential oils and tannins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in dogs. While not classified as highly toxic, ingestion can lead to discomfort. Consult a veterinarian if large amounts are consumed or symptoms persist.

Is Ground Ivy safe for Cat?

Ground Ivy is classified as do not feed for Cat. Risk: unknown. Urgency: contact a vet if symptoms appear. Ground ivy contains essential oils and tannins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in cats. While no severe poisonings are reported, ingestion is not recommended. Consult a veterinarian if symptoms occur.

Is Ground Ivy safe for Rabbit?

Ground Ivy is classified as do not feed for Rabbit. Risk: unknown. Urgency: contact a vet if symptoms appear. Ground ivy contains essential oils, tannins, and saponins that can cause gastrointestinal upset in rabbits. Although no specific rabbit studies are available, a conservative classification as not recommended is made based on known toxicity in rodents and general plant toxicity.

Is Ground Ivy safe for Horse?

Ground Ivy is classified as toxic for Horse. Risk: 4 / 5. Urgency: contact a vet if symptoms appear. Ground ivy contains essential oils, tannins, and saponins that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in horses. While no specific equine studies are available, the plant is listed in veterinary sources as potentially toxic to horses, particularly with repeated ingestion or larger quantities. If ingestion is suspected, a veterinarian should be consulted.