How to get rid of bindweed?

Eliminating Bindweed from Charlotte Gardens and Lawns

Bindweed is a persistent perennial weed that spreads through deep creeping root systems and numerous seeds. In Charlotte's Piedmont climate, this troublesome plant thrives in well-drained soils and warm growing conditions. Two species commonly infest regional properties: field bindweed (smaller white flowers) and hedge bindweed (larger pink and white flowers). Successful bindweed control requires persistent effort and combination strategies since chemical treatments alone rarely achieve complete elimination.

Cultural Control Methods

• Hand pulling: Grasp plants at base and pull slowly, extracting entire root system if possible
• Covering: Suppress bindweed with landscape fabric or heavy mulch (12+ inches) for entire season
• Digging: Remove plants with surrounding soil 12+ inches deep to extract root fragments
• Repeated disturbance: Hoe or cultivate bindweed weekly to exhaust stored root energy
• Preventive mulching: Apply 3-4 inch mulch to garden beds to suppress bindweed seeds

Chemical Control Strategy

1. Wait until bindweed actively grows and flowers (peak energy translocation)
2. Apply glyphosate (non-selective) or dicamba (broadleaf selective) to wet leaves
3. Retreat 2-3 weeks later if regrowth appears from undamaged roots
4. Follow up with mulching to prevent seed germination
5. Continue monitoring for 2+ years as seeds germinate in waves

Never allow bindweed to flower and set seed—a single plant produces thousands of viable seeds that remain dormant in soil for decades. Early detection and aggressive treatment in your first season prevents bindweed from becoming a landscape-wide problem.