Ivy-leaved Speedwell is a cool-weather annual weed native to Eurasia in the Plantaginaceae (plantain) family. It grows in the full sun in moist, well-drained soil and can be found in lawns, gardens, roadsides and other disturbed areas. It tends to sprawl and forms low mats. The blue flowers grow in the axils of the green or reddish-brown hairy stems that grow 4-12 inches long. The leaves resemble those of ivy, have hairs and 3-5 shallow lobes. Basal leaves are opposite and become alternate on the flowering stems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Growth rate
Medium
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Prostrate
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Hairy oval leaves with 3-5 shallow lobes and resemble an ivy leaf. Lower leaves are opposite while stem leaves are opposite. Leaves are up to 3/4 inches wide. Undersides may have some red coloration.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Individual flowers are 4-petaled, light blue with darker blue lines and a whitish center up to .4 inches across. Grows from the axils of the leaves. The sepals are green and hairy.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruit is a dehiscent capsule that is heart-shaped with a rounded top and surrounded by hair sepals
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Hairy reddish-brown to green stem up to 24 inches long