Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a hardy perennial that forms spreading mats of long stems with green or gold leaves and bright yellow flowers. Oval to heart-shaped leaves, borne in pairs along the stems, make an attractive backdrop to the five-petalled bright yellow flowers that are produced in summer. The foliage of creeping Jenny remains evergreen in all but hard winters and the golden-leaved form, Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, is most popular for garden use. Creeping Jenny is native to the British Isles and has many other common names including moneywort and herb twopence. Site with care because creeping Jenny stems root as they spread, so this plant can become invasive in borders or lawns.

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How to grow creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny suits a range of sites where soil doesn’t dry out and can be planted at any time of year. Propagate by detaching rooted stems and trim back as required to keep growth neat and fresh-looking.


Where to grow creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny trailing out of an urn
Creeping Jenny trailing out of an urn

Creeping Jenny needs to be grown in fertile soil that stays evenly moist, in full sun or partial shade, though avoid planting in hot, sun-baked sites where the foliage is liable to scorch. Plant around the edges of pots, hanging baskets, raised beds, and window boxes so the stems trail down, on sloping sites like banks and rockeries, and in groups as ground cover at border edges or under trees and shrubs. The green-leaved form is native to Britain and is suited to wild gardens and pond edges.


How to plant creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny is hardy, suitable for planting at any time of year when soil conditions are suitable. In the ground, space plants 30-45cm apart. Plant closer together in containers, spacing several plants around the edges at equal distances, ideally interspersed with other, contrasting plants for variety.


How to care for creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny growing with other plants in a pot
Creeping Jenny growing with other plants in a pot

Creeping Jenny is easy to grow and requires little care once established. Trim back anytime during the growing season if stems become long and straggly, or if leaves are looking tatty, to keep plants looking tidy with plenty of fresh, brightly coloured young growth.

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How to propagate creeping Jenny

Trailing stems of creeping Jenny
Trailing stems of creeping Jenny

The spreading stems of creeping Jenny root where they touch the soil, so gently lifting new growth from the outside in will reveal rooted stems. Simply detach these from the parent plant and either pot them up to grow on or transplant them directly to their new site. Or divide larger, established clumps, in autumn or spring.

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Growing creeping Jenny: problem solving

Creeping Jenny is not subject to any pests or diseases. If allowed to dry out, leaves may become brown and scorched-looking. Trim back affected growth and water well. Avoid planting in hot sun-baked sites.
Invasive growth in borders or lawns needs restricting as soon as possible, as stems quickly root to form new plants and each will need to be dug up. In lawns, use a spring-tined rake to lift the stems from the grass, to be cut by the mower.

Advice on buying creeping Jenny

Golden-leaved creeping Jenny is widely available at nurseries and garden centres or by mail order, particularly in autumn when sold along with other container plants for winter.

Where to buy creeping Jenny

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