will roundup with surfactant kill winter wintercreeper

Does Roundup with Surfactant Really Kill Wintercreeper? The Green Menace Meets Its Match

(will roundup with surfactant kill winter wintercreeper)

Wintercreeper. It sounds almost pretty, doesn’t it? Like something out of a fairy tale. But ask any gardener battling this vine, and you’ll hear a different story. It’s tough. It’s stubborn. It spreads like wildfire. You might be staring at your own patch of this green menace right now, wondering how to reclaim your yard. You’ve probably heard about Roundup. Maybe you’ve even tried it. But did you add surfactant? And did it work? Let’s dig into the dirt on this common weed warrior question.

1. What is Roundup and Why Add Surfactant?
Roundup is a well-known name in the world of weed control. Its main active ingredient is glyphosate. Glyphosate works by messing up a plant’s ability to make proteins. Plants need proteins to grow. Without them, they slowly starve and die. It’s a systemic herbicide. This means the plant absorbs it. The glyphosate travels down to the roots. Killing the roots is key, especially for tough plants like wintercreeper.

But here’s the catch. Glyphosate itself isn’t great at sticking to plant leaves. Plant leaves have a natural waxy coating. Think of it like a raincoat. This coating repels water. Water beads up and rolls right off. Glyphosate dissolved in water would act the same way. It would bead up and fall off before the plant can absorb it well. This is where surfactant comes in.

Surfactant is short for “surface active agent.” It’s like a soap or detergent. Its job is to break down that waxy barrier. It helps the spray solution spread evenly over the leaf. It helps the solution stick to the leaf. It prevents beading. This means more glyphosate gets absorbed by the plant. More absorption means a better chance of killing the weed, roots and all. Using Roundup without surfactant is often like watering your weeds. Using it with surfactant makes it a much more effective killer.

2. Why is Wintercreeper Such a Tough Weed to Kill?
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) is not your average weed. It’s a woody vine. Originally brought in as an ornamental plant, it escaped gardens. It’s now invasive in many areas. It grows aggressively. It forms dense mats. It climbs trees and walls. It chokes out other plants. It tolerates shade and sun. It handles poor soil. It’s incredibly resilient.

Its leaves are thick and waxy. This natural armor makes it hard for herbicides to penetrate. Even if you spray it, the herbicide might just sit on the surface. It might not get absorbed deeply enough. Wintercreeper also spreads in multiple ways. It spreads by seed. Birds eat the berries and spread the seeds. It spreads by rooting stems. A single stem touching the soil can sprout roots and start a new plant. Even if you kill the top growth, the roots can sometimes send up new shoots. This toughness is why just any weed killer won’t cut it. You need something systemic and strong. You need something that gets absorbed deeply. That’s why glyphosate, boosted by surfactant, is often the go-to solution.

3. How Does Roundup with Surfactant Work Against Wintercreeper?
So, you’ve got Roundup. You’ve got surfactant. How do you turn them into a wintercreeper assassin? The process is straightforward but requires care.

First, mix them correctly. Follow the label instructions on the Roundup product you have. Different concentrations need different amounts of water. Then, add the surfactant. The surfactant bottle will tell you how much to add per gallon of spray mix. Usually, it’s a small amount, like a tablespoon or two per gallon. Mix them well in your sprayer.

Timing matters. Apply it when the wintercreeper is actively growing. Late spring through early fall is generally best. Avoid spraying when it’s very hot or very dry. Avoid spraying just before rain. You want the plant to be actively moving nutrients, including the glyphosate, down to its roots. Apply on a calm day to prevent drift onto plants you want to keep.

Coverage is key. Spray the leaves thoroughly. You need to wet the leaves well but not to the point of runoff. Focus on the leaves. The glyphosate needs to be absorbed through the foliage. Be careful not to spray desirable plants nearby. Glyphosate doesn’t discriminate; it will harm or kill most green plants it touches.

Patience is needed. Don’t expect instant results. Glyphosate takes time. You might see yellowing or wilting in a few days. Complete kill, especially of tough roots, can take one to two weeks or even longer. Resist the urge to pull it out or re-spray too soon. Let the herbicide do its work internally.

4. Applications: When and How to Use This Combo Effectively
Knowing how to apply Roundup with surfactant is one thing. Knowing when and where to use it effectively is another. Here are some key application tips for tackling wintercreeper:

Target Young Growth: While mature plants can be killed, younger, actively growing vines absorb the herbicide more readily. If you have a large infestation, starting with younger plants might be easier.
Cut and Spray: For very thick, established wintercreeper vines, consider a “cut and spray” method. Cut the main stems near the base. Then, immediately apply the Roundup-surfactant mix to the freshly cut stump and any remaining foliage. The plant, trying to heal the wound, absorbs the herbicide quickly into its system. This can be very effective for tough old vines.
Spot Treatment: This method is ideal for patches of wintercreeper growing among other plants you want to keep. Use a small spray bottle or a sponge applicator. Carefully apply the mix only to the wintercreeper leaves. Take extreme care to avoid drift or dripping onto desirable plants.
Repeated Applications: Sometimes, one application isn’t enough, especially for large or well-established plants. If you see regrowth after a few weeks, you might need a follow-up spray. Target the new growth as soon as it appears.
Safety First: Always wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection when mixing and spraying herbicides. Read and follow all label precautions.

5. FAQs on Using Roundup and Surfactant on Wintercreeper
Let’s tackle some common questions gardeners have about this specific weed-killing combo:

Q: Will Roundup alone kill wintercreeper?
A: Maybe, but it’s less reliable. Roundup without surfactant often doesn’t stick well or absorb well through wintercreeper’s waxy leaves. Adding surfactant significantly increases its effectiveness. It’s generally recommended for tough weeds like this.
Q: What surfactant should I use with Roundup?
A: Look for a non-ionic surfactant. These are commonly sold at garden centers, farm supply stores, or online. Some Roundup products come pre-mixed with surfactant (often called “Roundup Plus” or similar). Check the label. If it says “contains surfactant” or “no additional surfactant needed,” you don’t need to add more. If not, buy a separate surfactant.
Q: How long does it take to see results?
A: Expect to see wilting or yellowing within 3-7 days. Complete kill, ensuring the roots are dead, can take 1-3 weeks or longer. Wintercreeper is tough, so be patient.
Q: Is it safe to plant where I sprayed later?
A: Glyphosate breaks down in the soil relatively quickly. It binds tightly to soil particles. It’s generally considered safe to plant ornamentals or vegetables in the area after the wintercreeper is dead and removed. However, always check the specific Roundup product label for replanting intervals; they can vary slightly.
Q: Can I use this mix near trees or shrubs I want to keep?
A: Extreme caution is needed. Glyphosate kills most green plants. Avoid spraying on windy days. Use spot treatment methods carefully. If spraying near desirable plants, use a shield or cardboard to block drift. Never spray so much that it drips onto the base or roots of other plants.
Q: Will it kill wintercreeper growing up my tree?

(will roundup with surfactant kill winter wintercreeper)

A: Yes, but be very careful. Spraying the wintercreeper leaves on the tree trunk should kill those vines. However, spray drift can easily harm the tree’s leaves or green bark. Spot treatment or careful painting of the herbicide onto the vine leaves (avoiding the tree bark as much as possible) is safest. The “cut and spray” method on vines at the base is also effective and reduces risk to the tree.