7 Ways to Get Rid of Morning Glory (Bindweed) in Vancouver, BC

Morning glory—also known as bindweed—might look charming at first with its trumpet-shaped flowers, but it’s one of the most invasive and aggressive weeds in Vancouver and throughout the Lower Mainland. It wraps tightly around plants, fences, and structures, smothering everything in its path. Underground, it spreads through deep, persistent roots that make it incredibly difficult to eliminate.

At Ascent Yard Care, we specialize in invasive weed control, and we’ve removed bindweed from hundreds of properties across Greater Vancouver. If you’re dealing with morning glory, here are 7 of the most effective ways to get rid of it—safely, efficiently, and long-term.

1. 

Cut and Regrow Herbicide Method (Most Effective)

This is the single most effective way to kill bindweed to the root with minimal herbicide.

Here’s how it works:

1. Cut morning glory down to the ground
2. Wait 3–4 weeks for regrowth
3. Spot-spray young shoots with a systemic herbicide that penetrates the root system

This method uses less chemical and hits the plant when it’s most vulnerable. At Ascent Yard Care, we use low-toxicity, pet-safe herbicides applied precisely and only where necessary.

2. 

Digging Out the Root System (Persistence Required)

Morning glory roots can grow over 10 feet deep and send out new shoots from small fragments. To be effective:

• Dig down at least 12–18 inches
• Remove all visible root runners
• Repeat every few weeks for up to a year

This is ideal for small infestations near sensitive plants, but not practical for large-scale problems.

3. 

Smothering with Tarp or Cardboard + Mulch

Bindweed needs light to thrive. Starve it out by:

• Cutting it to the ground
• Covering with a heavy-duty tarp, black plastic, or multiple layers of cardboard
• Weighing the edges down and leaving it in place for 6–12 months

For a more natural look, cover the tarp with mulch. This method is useful in unused garden beds, fence lines, or future planting zones.

4. 

Do Not Pull It Without a Strategy

Pulling bindweed by hand is tempting—but it often stimulates more growth if the root system is left behind. If you do pull it:

• Do it after watering or rain, when soil is loose
• Use a weeding knife to follow the root as far as possible
• Dispose of all fragments in the garbage (not compost)

Hand-pulling should only be done as part of a broader removal plan.

5. 

Mulch Heavily and Plant Densely

Once bindweed is removed, stop it from coming back by:

• Applying 4–6 inches of mulch
• Planting aggressive groundcovers (e.g., kinnickinnick, salal, or sedum)
• Watering deeply but infrequently to favor established plants

This creates a hostile environment for new bindweed shoots to emerge.

6. 

Remove It Before It Flowers or Seeds

Morning glory produces thousands of seeds that remain viable for 20+ years in the soil. Prevent seed spread by:

• Cutting and removing vines before they flower
• Never letting pulled plants dry out and drop seeds
• Cleaning up nearby fence lines, garden edges, and neglected zones

Stopping reproduction is key to long-term eradication.

7. 

Hire a Professional Bindweed Removal Team

Bindweed is one of the hardest weeds to remove completely without repeated effort, the right timing, and smart follow-up. Ascent Yard Care provides:

• Full-service bindweed removal
• Strategic herbicide programs
• Root removal and containment
• Site monitoring and restoration
• Pet- and wildlife-safe treatment options

We’ve helped hundreds of clients across Vancouver finally get morning glory under control—permanently.

Areas We Serve

We remove morning glory across Greater Vancouver, including:

• Vancouver
• Burnaby
• North Vancouver
• West Vancouver
• Richmond
• Surrey
• Coquitlam
• New Westminster
• Delta & beyond

Get Rid of Morning Glory for Good

Don’t let morning glory take over your garden or property. Whether it’s smothering your shrubs, crawling up your fence, or regrowing every season, we can help you stop it once and for all.

Victoria’s best now in Vancouver.