What is this plant and how can I kill it/get rid of it?

Dysko7710
by Dysko7710
This is some kind of ground cover that the previous owners must have planted. It smells awful when it is messed with (weed wacked/moved around). My husband tried weed killer but it did nothing and this stuff keeps spreading now. We want to kill it without having to just dig it all up (because it smells!)
Thanks in advance!
  15 answers
  • Drown in vinegar, like a couple gallons worth. I would also toss in a box of epsom salt too. Will not look pretty for a bit, but when dead it will be easier to remove. Then amend soil heavily and start over.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 25, 2017

    Ivy - difficult unless you get ALL the roots out.

  • Ellis Ellis on Aug 25, 2017

    It looks a bit like schizophragma (hydrangea vine).

    • Dysko7710 Dysko7710 on Aug 25, 2017

      Thank you, I will have to look into that to see if that's what it is.

  • Jan Davis Jan Davis on Aug 25, 2017

    also after vinegar cover it in cardboard the sun can't get through this. It will probably take a couple years of dilligence to get rid of it. Ivy can spread underground alsong it s roots.

  • Karen Hyde Karen Hyde on Aug 25, 2017

    There is also spray for vegetation or trees that is more heavy duty. Most big box stores are closing out there garden depts. (up north) so the stuff is one sale. These type of ground cover are sneaky and persistent so it could take awhile.


  • San29478519 San29478519 on Aug 25, 2017

    Dawn dish liquids ,vinegar and salt . Mix and spray but not on anything you want to live. It kills it all.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 25, 2017

    It's a pleasure.................

  • Ellis Ellis on Aug 25, 2017

    Well, whatever it is, if you don't want it, don't hesitate to get rid of it. Maybe you can kill it by using Roundup on it, then pulling out dead vines.

  • Van22936529 Van22936529 on Aug 28, 2017

    To me, it looks a bit like wild violet. Does it bloom? Is it deciduous? If so, wait until it goes dormant and then spray it CAREFULLY with Round-Up as it starts to put out new leaves and vigorous growth in spring.

    • Dysko7710 Dysko7710 on Aug 28, 2017

      It doesn't bloom, bit I will pay attention to best time to spray it thank you !

  • Deltamom Deltamom on Aug 28, 2017

    this is called Chameleon plant. its a groundcocer. it can be invasive if not contained. also stinky when its cut. best to use roundup to get all of the rhizomes. it looks well established so this will require patience and persistance. and several months to get rid of completely.

  • 19628357297 19628357297 on Aug 28, 2017

    Use a brush killer if you want it gone. Don't use brush killer on a windy day. Just so you don't get it on stuff you want to keep. Use a pump sprayer .you can get a 1 gallon at Walmart for about $5 . mark the sprayer with a big X. So you only use this sprayer for weed and grass an brush killer .spray the stuff down low ,close to it. you don't want to use it to spray your roses or something for bugs or fungus and wondering why its died. Good luck

  • Bryan Bryan on Sep 09, 2017

    Houttuynia cordata is the plant above. The smell is almost a choking sensation rather than a smell. I rarely see this plant available. This is an extremely beneficial animal repellent plant. Good for shady wet places too.

  • Karla Meyer Williams Karla Meyer Williams on Apr 25, 2019

    I had to cover it with a tarp and wait for it to die, then I dug it all up. It’s has the worst smell.

  • Mara Mara on Apr 25, 2019

    I would try Garlon. It is effective on things like Asiatic jasmine, which is a ground cover that I spray with roundup to keep the weeds out of it! One caution, do not over apply because it can move through the soil to desirable plants with roots in the same area as your weeds.

  • Naomi Anderson Naomi Anderson on Oct 21, 2019

    Is it ivy.