Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as creeping Jenny has a distinct appearance characterized by its sprawling habit with long trailing stems. These stems are thin and flexible, radiating in various directions from the plant's central point. The leaves are round or nearly round, resembling coins, which is hinted at in its name. The foliage is a vibrant green color and sometimes has a golden hue, contributing to its attractiveness throughout the growing season. The plant bears small, cup-shaped flowers that add a delicate charm to its overall appearance. These flowers are usually bright yellow and bloom in pairs or singularly from the leaf axils. Each blossom has five petals that spread out from the center, exuding a simple yet appealing aesthetic. The contrast between the cheerful flowers and lush green foliage is quite striking. Creeping Jenny is known for its dense mats of foliage, which can create a lush carpet-like effect when it covers the ground. Its versatility is reflected in its ability to thrive in various growing conditions, often seen spilling gracefully from containers or hanging baskets, where its stems delicately drape down the sides. Overall, creeping Jenny is a versatile, low-maintenance plant that provides a continuous splash of color and life to any garden space or landscape design it's incorporated into, with its trailing growth and vividly colored leaves and flowers.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Primulaceae.
Synonyms
Creeping Jenny, Moneywort, Herb Twopence, Twopenny Grass.
Common names
Nummularia repens, Lysimachia gibraltarica, Lysimachia vulgaris var. nummularia, Lysimachia nummularia var. aurea, Lysimachia nummularia var. nummularia.
ToxicityTo humans
Creeping Jenny is not widely recognized as a highly toxic plant to humans, and ingestion typically does not lead to severe poisoning. However, consuming large quantities could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Care should always be taken with any plant ingestion as individual sensitivities can vary, and mild toxicity can occur.
To pets
Creeping Jenny is also not widely recognized as a highly toxic plant to pets, such as dogs and cats. If ingested by pets, it could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset manifested as symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. It is always prudent to monitor pets and prevent them from eating plants, as individual animals might have differing sensitivities, and some might experience more pronounced effects if a large amount is consumed.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
0.1 feet (3 cm)
Spread
1.5 feet (45 cm)
Plant type
Creeper
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Lysimachia nummularia, commonly known as Creeping Jenny, is often used in gardens for its attractive, bright green or golden foliage and its trailing habit which makes it an excellent groundcover or container spiller.
- Erosion Control: Creeping Jenny's dense growth habit helps stabilize soil in areas prone to erosion, such as on banks or slopes.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides cover and nesting sites for small wildlife due to its sprawling, dense foliage.
- Pollinator Support: Though not known for prominent flowers, Creeping Jenny does offer small yellow blooms that can support certain insects and pollinators.
- Low Maintenance: Creeping Jenny is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established in the appropriate environment.
- Soil Improvement: As ground cover, it can help improve soil quality over time by providing organic matter as leaves shed and decompose.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: It has been traditionally used to reduce inflammation.
- Wound Healing: The plant is known in folk medicine for its properties to help heal wounds.
- Antibacterial: Lysimachia nummularia contains compounds that are believed to have antibacterial effects.
- Astringent: The astringent qualities of the plant have led to its use in traditional medicine to tighten and tone tissues.
- Diuretic: It is sometimes used as a diuretic to help increase urine production and relieve fluid retention.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lysimachia nummularia, commonly known as Creeping Jenny, can be used as a decorative addition to water features, such as ponds and waterfalls, due to its trailing growth habit and love for moist conditions.
- Crafters sometimes use Creeping Jenny in floral arrangements or as a living decoration due to its vibrant green foliage and ability to grow in a variety of conditions.
- In garden design, Creeping Jenny is often utilized as a ground cover to prevent soil erosion in sloped areas.
- This plant is used as a living mulch in gardens because it can form a dense mat that suppresses weeds while retaining soil moisture.
- The trailing nature of Creeping Jenny makes it a popular choice for hanging baskets and window boxes, where it can spill over the edges creating a lush cascade effect.
- Creeping Jenny is used in fairy gardens and miniature planting landscapes for its fine texture and ease of trimming to size.
- Aquarium enthusiasts sometimes incorporate Creeping Jenny in their tanks, where it can grow submerged or partially submerged, adding greenery and aiding in nutrient balance.
- The plant is sometimes used in educational settings for plant identification and botanical studies due to its distinctive growth pattern and ease of propagation.
- In colder climates, Creeping Jenny is often planted in fall gardens to add year-round color as it can maintain its hue in mild winters.
- Creeping Jenny is incorporated in green roofing projects to provide coverage, help insulation, and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the buildings.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Creeping Jenny is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Creeping Jenny is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Abundance: Lysimachia nummularia, commonly known as Creeping Jenny, often represents abundance due to its fast-growing and spreading nature.
- Persistence: Its ability to thrive in various conditions symbolizes persistence and the determination to persevere.
- Humility: The low-growing habit of Creeping Jenny is often associated with humility and subdued strength.
WaterCreeping Jenny needs consistent moisture, so you should check the soil moisture regularly and water whenever the top inch of soil starts to feel dry. Generally, this equates to watering it once or twice a week, but this can vary based on temperature and sunlight exposure. During hot or dry periods, Creeping Jenny may require more frequent watering. When watering, aim to provide enough water to soak the soil thoroughly, which might be about one gallon per square yard every week during the growing season, but always adjust based on rainfall and soil conditions.
LightCreeping Jenny thrives in a variety of light conditions and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. The best spot for this plant would be an area that receives morning sunlight and has some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, to protect it from scorching. However, too much shade can lead to less vigorous growth and fewer yellow flowers. Good light helps maintain the vibrant green of its leaves and supports overall plant health.
TemperatureCreeping Jenny prefers temperate conditions and performs best when the temperature ranges between 60°F and 75°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 0°F, making it hardy in cooler climates, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below the freezing point could damage the plant. It's essential to plant Creeping Jenny in an area where it can escape the harsh cold of winter and the extreme heat of summer whenever possible.
PruningPruning Creeping Jenny is mainly done to control its spread and maintain a tidy appearance. Trimming can be done throughout the growing season as needed, but it's best to do heavier pruning in early spring to rejuvenate the plant and encourage full, lush growth. Cutting back the overgrown sections also helps promote better air circulation within the plant, which can reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCreeping Jenny prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of peat, loamy soil, and perlite or sand can make an optimal soil base for this plant, promoting good water retention while allowing excess to drain away and prevent root rot.
RepottingCreeping Jenny doesn't require frequent repotting and can be done every two to three years, or when it becomes root-bound. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one to prevent overwatering issues.
Humidity & MistingCreeping Jenny thrives in average to high humidity conditions. It doesn't generally require special attention to humidity levels when grown outdoors, but if grown indoors, maintaining a room humidity around 40-60% is beneficial.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Choose a partly shaded spot and keep soil consistently moist.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleLysimachia nummularia, commonly known as Creeping Jenny, begins its life as a seed, which upon germination in early spring, sprouts into a small seedling. The seedling rapidly develops into a vegetative plant, forming a mat of rounded leaves on trailing stems that root at the nodes. Throughout late spring and early summer, Creeping Jenny undergoes a flowering stage where small, cup-shaped yellow flowers bloom. After pollination, typically by insects, the flowers produce small capsules containing numerous seeds. These seeds are then dispersed by environmental factors such as water or animals, which allows the plant to spread and colonize new areas. In autumn, Creeping Jenny enters a period of dormancy, reducing metabolic activities to survive through the winter, only to resume growth the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Creeping Jenny, which is the common name for Lysimachia nummularia, is through division. This method is ideally carried out in the spring, just as new growth begins to appear. To propagate by division, one should carefully dig up the plant, ensuring to keep a good amount of roots on each division. The plant should be divided into smaller sections, each with several shoots or stems, and then these sections can be immediately replanted in the ground or in individual pots filled with potting soil. Adequate water should be provided after planting to help establish the divisions. It's important to allow space for growth, as Creeping Jenny tends to spread quickly once established.
