T
The Daily Insight

Is Creeping Jenny invasive

Author

Emma Valentine

Published Apr 04, 2026

creeping Jenny, (Lysimachia nummularia), also called moneywort, prostrate perennial herb of the primrose family (Primulaceae), native to Europe. … It is considered an invasive species in parts of North America and in other areas outside its native range.

Will creeping Jenny choke out other plants?

Creeping jenny, also called moneywort, is a long, crawling plant that can spread very tenaciously. … Once it’s established, it can be hard to get rid of and will crowd out or strangle plants that get in its path.

Will creeping Jenny take over grass?

Golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) is a known thug. It doesn’t play well with its neighbors but is perfect for replacing lawns as it can be kept within bounds simply by edging.

Is creeping Jenny invasive UK?

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.

Is creeping Jenny native to VA?

Also known as Moneywort, this European native was introduced to the United States as an ornamental ground cover, and it is widely available in the nursery trade. It is listed as an invasive species in Arlington, Virginia. …

Will deer eat creeping Jenny?

Creeping Jenny grows well in the types of moist, rich woodland conditions where rabbits usually live, but luckily, they usually will not touch it, and neither will deer. When they are truly hungry, both rabbits and deer will eat almost any plant, so keep an eye out.

What can I plant with creeping Jenny?

Pair it with taller plants that it won’t smother rather than small low-growers. When designing your containers, creeping Jenny’s foliage colors will contrast well with dark green foliage and brightly colored flowers.

Can you divide creeping Jenny?

Another method to propagate a creeping jenny is to divide the root ball. You can dig out the whole plant and divide them along with the roots. This can be done during the spring or autumn. … This plant can be easily grown in zones 3 to 9.

Can you put creeping Jenny in a pond?

Creeping Jenny is a great pond plant and an excellent addition to your water garden feature! Beautiful, green foliage has round leaves that spill down the side of a planting container, or cascade down the rockery of your waterfall.

Will creeping Jenny grow up a wall?

Creeping Jenny (Lisimachia nummularia) I prefer the ordinary one as the green leaves and yellow flowers together look nice and fresh growing on a wall.

Article first time published on

Why is Creeping Jenny bad?

Less is more when it comes to Creeping Jenny. The plant is fast-growing and, in some cases invasive, making it harmful to native plants. A single plant can grow up to two feet wide, laying roots as its spreads, potentially damaging the roots of neighboring plants.

How far does Creeping Jenny spread?

Due to its rapidly spreading nature, plant 12 to 18 inches apart. They will grow quickly to form a dense carpet anywhere from 4 to 8 inches tall. Planting in early spring is best to ensure its pretty summer blossoms, although Creeping Jenny will take root whenever the weather is mild and regular water is available.

Does Creeping Jenny stay green in winter?

Creeping Jenny Cold Hardiness In warmer growing zones (in USDA zones 8 and 9), creeping jenny grows in winter. Even in the colder areas of zone 8, it remains mostly evergreen, although it can lose some of its leaves when grown directly in the ground.

Is creeping Jenny native to the USA?

Plants Database provides a distributional map of creeping jenny. Creeping jenny is native to Europe and western Asia [23]. … Creeping jenny was introduced from its native range to the United States for horticulture and as an ornamental ground cover [36,57,105]. It was present in the United States as early as 1739 [115].

Is yellow creeping Jenny invasive?

Golden creeping Jenny, the cultivar ‘Aurea’ of the low-growing species L. … This European species can be invasive (so planting the green type is not recommended), but the yellow cultivar is much less aggressive and suitable for judicious use in ornamental plantings.

Is creeping Jenny a perennial?

Creeping Jenny may only grow a few inches tall, but this super hardy perennial packs a big punch of color. Plus, unlike most perennials, creeping Jenny grows almost as well in the far North as it does in the South, producing a welcome mat of bright, gold foliage almost anywhere in the country.

What is good ground cover?

While grass is typically the best way to fill out empty space, sometimes low-growing plants are a better — and prettier — option. There are so many options to choose from, including old favorites like Pachysandra and Vinca, as well as small shrubs, perennials, and annuals.

Is Lysimachia deer resistant?

Lysimachia General Information Excellent ground cover for banks, woodland gardens, along paths or in moist areas near water gardens, along streams, pools or ponds where it can be left to naturalize. Deer resistant, prefers a moist soil, not for gulf states.

What is good ground cover that is deer resistant?

Creeping myrtle or periwinkle vinca vine: Vinca minor is a perennial ground cover widely used as a grass substitute in lawn areas and effective in deer control. Grown in zones 4 to 8, creeping myrtle requires good drainage.

Is creeping Jenny a water plant?

Creeping Jenny enjoys very moist soil or water up to one-inch deep, making it an excellent choice for use as a marginal plant in your water garden. … Nestled in between rocks at the pond’s edge, its trailing foliage floats into the water creating wonderful, lacy texture.

Will creeping Jenny grow in gravel?

This is a great groundcover for those low and damp areas. It also makes a wonderful addition to the gravel bog. Full sun to shade.

How much water does a creeping Jenny need?

As a general rule, shallow-rooted golden creeping Jenny benefits from slow, deep watering that wets the soil to 1 foot below its surface whenever the weekly rainfall is less than 1 inch.

Can you propagate creeping Jenny from cuttings?

Creeping jenny roots effortlessly from softwood cuttings if they are potted in moist, sterile medium and kept under partly shaded conditions. Rooting hormone is not required to successfully propagate creeping jenny, although it can be used to hasten the process, according to North Carolina Extension.

Can you take cuttings from Lysimachia?

Sometimes referred to by the name of a well-known cultivar, “Outback Sunset,” golden globes are most easily propagated by division in late winter or early spring but also propagate readily from seed and stem cuttings.

How do you thin creeping Jenny?

Thin overcrowding creeping Jenny by pulling up individual plants. Just reach down into the mass of upright stems, grasp one and pull it out of the soil by its roots. Since each moneywort plant sends out runners which root themselves wherever they can, you’ll undoubtedly be pulling up some of the rooted runners with it.

Is Creeping Jenny drought tolerant?

Creeping Jenny will brighten any garden or container. Great combination filler plant or groundcover. Drought tolerant.

How do you winter a creeping Jenny?

Winter care for creeping Jenny is very simple though. Continue watering creeping Jenny as normal until the ground freezes. Creeping Jenny likes moist soil and thrives in damp environments. If your creeping Jenny is in a drier part of your garden, add extra water as winter approaches.

Why is my creeping Jenny yellow?

Creeping Jenny care Creeping Jenny is an invasive plant, although the Auria variety may not be as invasive. This variety also turns yellow when exposed to full sun. … If exposed to full sun the leaves may turn golden yellow, and if in partial shade they may be a chartreuse green.

Why is my creeping Jenny turning white?

Botrytis Blight Silvery gray spores will develop on the dying and dead plant tissue. In heavy infestations, these masses of spores can look like dust coming off the creeping Jenny. Proper preventive measures and applications of liquid copper fungicide help control Botrytis blight.

Can creeping Jenny be a houseplant?

These plants like moist soil too, so water regularly and ensure good drainage in the container. Any basic potting soil is adequate. … You can also take the container indoors, as creeping Jenny grows well as a houseplant. Just be sure to give it a cooler spot in the winter.

What is similar to Creeping Jenny?

  • Asarum canadense (Canada Wild Ginger) Add to Collection. Add to Any Collection. …
  • Asarum caudatum (Western Wild Winger) Add to Collection. …
  • Mitchella repens (Partridge Berry) Add to Collection. …
  • Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox) Add to Collection.