Eradicating Smilax (Green Briar): The Bucket-Soak Herbicide Method

Few garden invaders inspire as much frustration as smilax—also called green briar, deer thorn, or "that *^!!@ %* !! sticker vine." Its deep taproot, glossy leaves that shed herbicide, and ability to resprout from dormant root clusters make it a perennial nightmare.

Why Smilax Is So Tough

Smilax develops a massive underground tuber system. Only a few shoots emerge at a time; the rest lie in wait. Chopping vines merely stimulates new growth. Foliar sprays often fail because the waxy foliage repels chemicals.

A Targeted Herbicide Technique

On a warm spring day, try this systemic approach using glyphosate (Roundup®):

1. Mix three gallons of diluted glyphosate solution in a five-gallon bucket.
2. Pull long, leafy vines off the ground and drape them into the bucket.
3. Let each vine soak for 15 minutes, allowing maximum herbicide absorption through the leaves.
4. After soaking all vines, dispose of leftover solution by pouring it into a shallow hole away from desirable plants (glyphosate binds to soil and degrades).

This method delivers herbicide directly to the vascular system, reaching the root mass more effectively than spraying.

Persistence Pays

Repeat as new shoots appear. Combined with early detection and digging out young plants before tubers form, this technique can gradually reclaim your yard from the "evil alien sticker vines."