The foliage is scallop-shaped and is evergreen in warm areas.
These plants spread quickly, creating mats that can reach up to 30 inches wide.
This spreading nature, though good for covering large areas, can spread outside of their intended growing areas.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The species is considered an invasive weed in some areas.
It is quite hardy and handles mowing and foot traffic well.
In fact, cut pieces blown by a mower easily take root, spreading the plant further.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
These plants make excellent additions to rock gardens or around pathways.
Creeping speedwell are deer and rabbit resistant.
Light
Creeping speedwell can be grown in both full sun and shade.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
However, full sun can be too intense for creeping speedwell when it is grown in warm climates.
Plants grown in full shade often do not flower well.
Soil
Creeping speedwell is a hardy plant frequently found growing in lawns, fields, and meadows.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It prefers loamy, sandy, well-draining, and moist soil, but can also tolerate some clay.
Water
Once established, creeping speedwell is considered drought-tolerant.
For young, newly planted speedwells, it is best to water more often until they are established.
An inch of water per week is plenty to keep established plants healthy.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary, though it may be desired to keep the plant from spreading.
Simply trim the plant with garden snips to do this.
Stop pruning in late summer, especially for plants grown in areas with cold winters.
This allows the plants to create enough mature foliage to be protected through the winter.
Pruning too late in the year will result in new growth that is too tender to survive the winter.
Propagating Creeping Speedwell
The spreading nature of creeping speedwell makes these plants easy to propagate.
It can be accomplished by means of division, cuttings, or layering.
Division is a great option for plants whose centers begin to look bare or scraggly.
For indoor growth, start the seeds eight to 10 weeks before the last frost.
Whenchoosing a container, be sure it has free-flowing drainage holes, as soggy soil can cause fungal problems.
They often have white centers.
Still, these tiny flowers are attractive to pollinators such asbutterfliesand bees.
Because of their hardy nature, creeping speedwells do not often need much help to bloom.
An area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.
Deadheading spent flower blooms will encourage more flowers to form.
In fact, it is more likely to challenge the gardener with problems of overgrowth.
However, even extremely hardy plants may occasionally face problems.
Wilting Foliage
This is often seen in hot climates where the soil dries out quickly.
Increase the amount of water and frequency of watering times to ensure the plant receives enough.
Yes, creeping speedwell is a perennial flowering plant.
In areas with warm winters, this ground cover plant is also an evergreen.
This ground cover is a fast grower and a quick spreader.
This rapid growth makes containing the plant an important consideration for most gardeners.
Slender Speedwell, Veronica Filiformis.
University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
