Creeping Jenny.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

2 to 4 inches tall

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant hates drying out completely. Watch for wilting leaves which signal it needs more water immediately. It is a vigorous grower, so keep an eye on it to make sure it does not crowd out your other plants.

Watering

Ensure the soil remains damp to the touch at all times.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back long runners to maintain your desired shape and prevent unwanted spreading.

Repotting

Repot when the plant becomes root bound or outgrows its current container.

Soil

Moist, fertile, well draining soil

Soil pH

6.1 to 7.5

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, long-lived if moisture is maintained.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

While not highly toxic, it is best to keep children from eating the foliage to avoid potential stomach upset.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the sap.

Airborne allergens

There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Rounded, coin shaped leaves
• Creeping, mat forming growth habit
• Bright yellow cup shaped flowers
• Opposite leaf arrangement on stems

Height

0.05 to 0.1m

Spread

0.3 to 0.9m

Leaves

bright green, chartreuse, semi-evergreen

Flowers

yellow, 1 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

• Leaf spot · Fungal spots appear on leaves during periods of high humidity and poor airflow.

Growing it

Propagation

division, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

It is quite hardy and typically stays semi-evergreen in mild climates. In colder regions, the foliage may die back to the ground but will return in spring.

In containers

It is excellent for hanging baskets and containers, where its trailing habit can be fully appreciated.

Plant it in a contained area or a pot to prevent it from outcompeting your other garden favorites.

Grows well with

• Hostas · They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
• Ferns · The contrasting textures look lovely in a woodland setting.

Similar species

• Moneywort · This is a golden cultivar of the same species.

Science

Family

Primulaceae

Genus

Lysimachia

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and parts of Western Asia.

Conservation

It is considered invasive in many parts of North America and should be managed carefully.

It naturally colonizes damp meadows and stream banks by rooting along its stems.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ground cover, hanging baskets, container filler, erosion control

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it invasive?

Yes, it spreads very aggressively by rooting at the nodes and can quickly take over garden beds.

Can I grow it in full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors King Lysimachus of Thrace, while the species name comes from the Latin word for coin.

Good to know

• It is a member of the primrose family.
• The leaves are shaped like small coins, which inspired the species name nummularia.
• It thrives in moist soil and can even grow in shallow water.
• It is a very effective plant for suppressing weeds in damp areas.