The Latin name Lysimachia nummularia means “like a coin”, giving the additional common names of herb twopence or twopenny grass. The creeping jenny works well as a groundcover and can be used in a bog garden.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Lysimachia nummularia is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family Primulaceae. Its common names include moneywort, creeping jenny, herb twopence and twopenny grass.
It is native to Europe, but has been introduced to North America, where it is considered an invasive species in some areas. It aggressively spreads in favorable conditions, such as low wet ground or near ponds. It is moderately difficult to remove by hand pulling. Any tiny piece left behind will regrow.
The Latin specific epithet nummularia means “like a coin”, referring to the shape of the leaves; hence the common names, such as “moneywort”, which also references coins.
The highlight of Moneywort is its rapid pace of growth. Thanks to its long runners, it spreads out to form a carpet or a mat within a short time. The crawling shoots sometimes develop their own roots. Compared to its height — the moneywort grows only 1.96 to 3.93 inches in height — its breadth is quite impressive. A single plant can measure anywhere between 11.81 to 15.74 inches wide. With optimal planting conditions and sufficient space, shoots that are half-meter in length are not uncommon.

The round and light-green colored leaves of Lysimachia nummularia are full-margined, flat and leathery. They are arranged opposite each other on the long shoots. The Moneywort retains its leaves in winters.
The Moneywort owes its idiosyncratic name to its bowl-shaped flowers, which resemble small gold coins in both color and size. They grow on the leaf axils, are bright yellow, single and almost exactly the size of a penny. The flowering period lasts from May/June to July, depending on the weather.
After the blooms, inconspicuous capsule-shaped seed heads form.
It is particularly associated with damp or even wet areas, though in cultivation it will tolerate drier conditions. It is hardy, surviving lows of −15 °C (5 °F) (RHS H5).
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Creeping Jenny can survive in a variety of light conditions, though it does best in full sun or partial shade. In full sun, the plant’s leaves will look more yellow, helping it produce more blooms; in partial shade, the leaves will look darker, and the plant will bloom less. If your summers get especially hot, consider planting your creeping Jenny in a spot that will protect them from the intense afternoon sun.
Temperature and Humidity
Since creeping Jenny is a perennial in USDA zones 4-9, it’s hardy enough to survive a cold winter and will return in the spring.
Watering

Creeping jenny is sensitive to both waterlogging and overly dry soil, so maintaining a consistent amount of moisture is best for your plant. Before the soil completely dries out, water your Creeping jenny with enough water to quench the soil but not drown the roots.
Soil
Creeping Jenny prefers moist, well-draining soils and can even be found along riverbanks where the soil is very wet.
Fertilizing
Creeping jenny enjoys an annual batch of fertilizer after having a year to let it establish its roots. Applying fertilizer too early will sacrifice roots for foliage. In the spring, feed it with a 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer by mixing it directly into the soil around the plant.
Planting Instructions
Maintaining a distance of 11.81 inches or more to other plants during planting, the pennywort grows, as already mentioned, aggressively in width. Usually no more than 12 to 14 plants are planted per square yard.
Pruning

Creeping Jenny is a fast grower, so prune it regularly to keep it from taking over the rest of your landscaping. Simply use a pair of gardening shears or sharp scissors to trim stems that grow outside of the desired shape. Be aware of how you dispose of these stems—if you toss them into a corner of your yard or onto your compost pile, they may take root. To prevent unwanted creeping Jenny sprouts, immediately put the trimmings in a garbage container. If you don’t want to prune your creeping Jenny regularly, it’s a strong candidate for container gardening since this method will naturally confine the plant to a hanging basket.
Propagation
Creeping Jenny is a vivacious grower, so it’s easy to propagate – in most cases, cut stems will readily root even when you simply tossed atop moist soil. For the best results:
- Trim stems or dig up rhizomes. Creeping Jenny will spread happily through either cuttings or division. For cuttings, trim a few healthy stems off of the mother plant. For division, dig up a portion of an established plant and cut it away by its roots, so you have a length of stems with rhizomes still attached.
- Plant into soil. Plant the cut stems or rhizomatous growth into new, damp soil. You do not need to root cut stems in water first, though you can if you prefer.
- Keep moist. Keep the soil moist and your cuttings or clump should readily establish roots in its new home, spreading into new plants.
Potting and Repotting
Creeping Jenny is great in container gardens; its tendrils hang so gracefully off the edge of the pots! It’s best to plant it with other, taller plants so there’s a contrast between the two.
Overwintering

While creeping Jenny is an herbaceous perennial even in areas with hard winters (it can survive year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–9), its foliage will usually die back in the winter, leaving just its roots and rhizomes beneath the surface to sprout new growth in early spring. To overwinter your creeping Jenny, simply trim back the foliage in late fall (or wait until the foliage naturally dies and then trim it back). If you want to preserve the plant’s growth, consider keeping it in a container and moving your creeping Jenny into a greenhouse or to a sunny window as a houseplant during cold winter months.
Pests and Diseases
Creeping Jenny doesn’t usually have problems with pests or diseases, but if it’s located in a rainy environment, it may fall prey to fungal diseases like rust and leaf spots. Both can be treated with liquid copper fungicides.
III. Varieties
The golden Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia “Aurea”) is also as popular as the species and just as widespread. As the name implies, the foliage has an attractive yellow color. The golden Moneywort is not as fast-growing as the rest of the species. However, it cannot tolerate direct sun similar to the others of the species. The variety is often used as a decorative, hanging leaf plant for balconies and terraces – or, as already mentioned, as a houseplant. The ‘Goldilocks’ variety has a similar yellow foliage
IV. Uses and Benefits

Creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a perennial with an attractive trailing appearance which makes it a great plant to grow in hanging baskets and raised containers. It also spills down walls or grows well along slopes and banks, making it a great companion to ornamental grasses or daylilies. Creeping jenny also makes for a great groundcover and adds great interest to a bog or rock garden. The rounded yellow-green leaves are glossy and provide the main ornamental appeal of this plant.