Virginia creeper is a vigorous climbing vine that can quickly take over gardens, yards, trees, and structures. Its rapid growth allows it to envelope fences, climb siding, and cover trees, choking out everything in its path. While it has attractive fall color, controlling and getting rid of established Virginia creeper can be a challenge for homeowners.
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is in the grape family and has vine-like tendrils that help it cling and climb. It has palmate leaves with five leaflets resembling fingers on a hand. In fall, the leaves turn bright scarlet red, which is the main appeal for many who grow it. However, its aggressive nature quickly outweighs its ornamental value.
If you need to get rid of unwanted Virginia creeper here are some of the most effective methods
Manual Removal
For young Virginia creeper vines, manual removal may be effective. Wear thick gloves to protect your hands from the sap. Grab vines at the base near the soil and pull them out. Remove as much of the root system as possible. Dispose of the vines immediately so they don’t re-root.
Manual removal works best when vines are short and have not attached to structures. It likely will not eliminate established vines that have been growing for several seasons. You’ll need to combine manual pulling with another method.
Pruning
Frequent pruning can help curb Virginia creeper growth. Using loppers or pruners cut vines back to the ground in early spring. Removing the top growth forces the plant to expend energy re-growing versus climbing. However don’t prune just once. Expect to prune monthly throughout spring and summer to keep new growth at bay.
For vines climbing trees or structures, cut the vines near the ground to detach them. Then pull down the remaining vines still attached above. The plant will regrow from the base unless the roots are killed.
Smothering
Smothering Virginia creeper under a thick layer of mulch or landscape fabric can starve it of sunlight and slowly kill it. After cutting back growth, lay down 4-6 inches of wood chip mulch or tightly secured black plastic or landscape fabric. Leave it down for at least one growing season. Replace it if the plant starts to poke through.
The drawback is this method takes time. It may need to stay covered for 2-3 years to fully kill Virginia creeper. You also must frequently monitor and replace any material the vines penetrate.
Herbicides
Chemical control with herbicides often provides the most effective and lasting Virginia creeper removal. Systemic herbicide sprays move through the plant’s vascular system killing the entire vine including the roots. This prevents regrowth.
Some products available for Virginia creeper control include:
- Glyphosate (Roundup)
- Triclopyr (Brush-B-Gon)
- Dicamba (Banvel, Vanquish)
- 2,4-D
Always check labels to verify the product is approved for use on Virginia creeper. Only apply herbicides when vines are actively growing and according to label directions. It may take several applications over a season to fully eradicate Virginia creeper.
Combination Approach
A combination of manual removal, frequent pruning, and herbicide treatments often provides the best Virginia creeper control. Here is a systematic approach:
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Manually pull small vines. Dig out as much root as possible.
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Cut established vines back to the ground in early spring before bud break.
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Once regrowth appears, spray foliage with a glyphosate product. Repeat spraying any new growth.
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If vines climb structures, cut at the base and pull down remaining vines still attached above.
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After 2-3 herbicide sprays, cover any remaining roots and growth with thick mulch or landscape fabric.
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Monitor and reapply mulch or fabric as needed to smother any new shoots for 1-2 years.
Controlling Virginia creeper takes persistence. It may take multiple seasons of pruning, spraying, and monitoring to fully eradicate. Avoid planting it near structures, trees, or planting beds where it can easily escape boundaries. Keeping it away from contact with surfaces where it can attach itself makes future removal much simpler.
How to Prevent Virginia Creeper Problems
Prevent Virginia creeper issues by:
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Planting in contained garden beds surrounded by hardscape or mown grass barriers. Avoid areas near trees, fences, or structures.
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Providing sturdy trellises, obelisks, or cages to contain growth on vertical supports.
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Placing weed barrier fabric around the base with mulch on top to block underground spread.
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Pruning frequently to keep growth compact and avoid sprawling habits.
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Uprooting and removing vines that escape confinement promptly before they spread.
With some awareness and timely intervention, Virginia creeper can be maintained and enjoyed without becoming a destructive nuisance. Just be prepared to intervene with aggressive removal methods if it threatens to envelope your garden. Once established, getting rid of Virginia creeper takes commitment, but it can be done with a strategic approach.
Virginia Creeper or Poison Ivy?
Although Virginia creeper is often found growing with poison ivy, they are two distinctly different plants. A lot of the time, people who touch poison ivy mixed with Virginia creeper think that the creeper caused the rash. Poison ivy has only three leaves while Virginia creeper has five. Virginia creeper leaves also turn bright red in the fall. Like poison ivy, this vine may need to be controlled. Keep reading for info on Virginia creeper control.
How to Get Rid of Virginia Creeper
It is easiest to get rid of Virginia creeper when it is small, but it is still possible to do so with bigger plants, though it takes more time and patience.
Virginia creeper control begins by pulling the vine from the structures or vegetation that it is clinging onto. The sap in the plant can irritate the skin, so it is recommended that you wear gloves.
You can pull on young vines by hand, but you’ll need a handsaw or other pruning tools for bigger vines. Cut away the vine, leaving only a small piece. You can get rid of Virginia creeper once the vines are no longer tangled.
Virginia Creeper – Garden Notes
FAQ
What is the best way to get rid of Virginia creepers?
Is Virginia creeper hard to remove?
Should I pull up Virginia creeper?
What is a natural killer for Virginia creeper?
How to get rid of Virginia creeper?
Here is a brief guide for getting rid of the Virginia Creeper. Your average set of latex gloves aren’t really useful in this regard. You need to buy a pair of chemical-resistant gloves which aren’t going to allow the acid to pass through when you are handling the plant. On top of that, you need to protect your face as well.
How do you kill a Virginia creeper vine?
Mix one cup of rock salt into one gallon of hot water. After allowing the salt to dissolve, pour this mixture around the base of the vine. The vine should be dead within a few days and you can remove it roots and all. What’s The Best Way to Kill Virginia Creeper?
Does boiling water kill Virginia creeper?
Boiling water can be utilized to kill Virginia creeper naturally. Follow these steps to get rid of Virginia creeper using boiling water. Cut the plant. Cut the Virginia creeper down to its base as you would when pruning it. Apply the water. Pour boiling water at the base of the Virginia creeper. Repeat.
How do you control Virginia creeper weeds?
As with most weeds, controlling Virginia creeper is easiest when the plant is small. If the vine is entwined with other plantings, you will need to shield the plants you want to keep with a sheet of cardboard or plastic when you spray.