Ways to Recognize and Eliminate Bindweed

Colleen Vanderlinden is a specialist in organic gardening. She is the author of “Edible Gardening for the Midwest” and “Vegetable Gardening for the Midwest.” Her articles have been featured in publications such as Mother Earth News, Northern Gardener, The Detroit News, and Birds & Blooms.

Bindweed, originally from Europe and Asia, poses a significant challenge for many gardeners. It was introduced to the United States in the mid-1700s through contaminated seeds. Often confused with morning glory due to its green, arrow-like leaves and white to pink flowers, bindweed is, in fact, a relative of the morning glory.

Nonetheless, it is a non-native species that flourishes in exposed, tilled land and nitrogen-rich soils, commonly seen in gardens and agricultural fields. The seeds can remain dormant in the soil for as long as 50 years, and the plant can easily propagate through its underground roots and rhizomes.

This is usually the reason you’ll notice bindweed appearing all over the place, even if you haven’t allowed it to produce seeds. Just a small fragment of its root in the ground is sufficient for bindweed to thrive and proliferate in your garden.

Due to its extreme resilience, it is crucial to eliminate it promptly to prevent its spread. Every part of the plant is harmful to horses.

Ways to Eliminate Bindweed

Staying alert and being persistent are your best strategies for combating bindweed. Keep an eye out for any indications of this invasive vine and act swiftly to eliminate it. The most effective method for eradication is to sever it at the soil line.

There’s no need to dig it up; it will simply grow back from the roots you left behind, and removing all the roots is nearly impossible. If you consistently trim it back to the ground as soon as you can, you will ultimately deplete the plant’s energy.

As it cannot perform photosynthesis, it will perish. Stay patient! You might need to repeat this several times, but it will ultimately yield results.

If bindweed has taken over your lawn, it’s essential to maintain proper lawn care by applying the right nitrogen fertilizer, since bindweed struggles to thrive alongside healthy grass. Should the problem continue, consider using a post-emergent herbicide that contains quinclorac as its active component.

Tip

You can choose from a variety of non-invasive plants to help suppress bindweed, including creeping phlox, vinca minor, clover, ornamental grasses, and other types of ground cover.

Ways to Stop Bindweed from Spreading

Due to the extensive root network of bindweed, completely eradicating all the plants can be quite challenging, especially in cases of significant infestations. To manage its proliferation, the minimum action you can take is to prevent it from producing seeds after it blooms.

Avoid placing any bindweed, whether it has flowers or not, on the compost heap, since it can regenerate from cuttings. Instead, throw it away in the trash.

Field Bindweed and Hedge Bindweed

Field bindweed and hedge bindweed belong to the morning glory family, yet they exhibit notable differences. The flowers of field bindweed are smaller, measuring about 1 inch, while hedge bindweed flowers range from 1 to 3 inches. Additionally, the leaves of field bindweed are also smaller in size.

Field bindweed typically grows close to the ground, can tolerate mowing, and is commonly seen in lawns. In contrast, hedge bindweed is more frequently found in gardens, where it tends to wrap around other plants or fences for support.

Hedge bindweed is somewhat simpler to uproot due to its shallower roots; however, both types are invasive and very challenging to manage.

How harmful is bindweed?

Bindweed is regarded as one of the most harmful weeds due to the difficulty of completely eradicating it. Additionally, it can diminish agricultural productivity and poses a threat to livestock health.

Is it possible for me to simply apply glyphosate to eliminate bindweed?

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that eliminates a wide range of plants, necessitating careful and precise application to avoid unintended spread. Eradicating bindweed typically demands multiple treatments, as the plant’s leaves and stems are not very effective at absorbing herbicides. Additionally, in cases of significant infestation, the herbicide may not penetrate deeply enough to affect the entire root system.

Does shade inhibit the growth of bindweed?

Certain gardeners have discovered that ground-covering plants or mulches can inhibit the growth of bindweed. Resilient plants with sturdy stems, such as pumpkins, are unaffected by bindweed and provide enough shade to the soil to deter its growth.

Does cutting bindweed cause it to spread?

Fortunately, cutting bindweed won’t cause it to spread. However, it doesn’t help to curb its growth, as mowing doesn’t impact the underground roots.