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InsightHorizon Digest

Why is it called Creeping Jenny

Author

Andrew Mccoy

Updated on April 12, 2026

The name creeping jenny is a little unusual, and many people wonder about its origin. The plant was once used as a whooping cough remedy, which was alternately called “chinne cough,” and in some explanations, the name jenny is viewed as a corruption of chinne.

Where does creeping jenny originate from?

creeping Jenny, (Lysimachia nummularia), also called moneywort, prostrate perennial herb of the primrose family (Primulaceae), native to Europe. The plant is grown as a ground cover in warm climates and as an indoor hanging plant.

Will creeping jenny come back every year?

In warmer growing zones (in USDA zones 8 and 9), creeping jenny grows in winter. … However, as long as you provide proper care and maintenance, it will return after the winter weather ends. You’ll just need to trim back the dead stems.

What is the proper name of creeping jenny?

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.

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.

Is Goldilocks the same as creeping jenny?

Lysimacha nummularia ‘Goldilocks‘ (Creeping Jenny) is a low-growing perennial forming an attractive mat of roundish to heart-shaped, shiny golden leaves, 1 in.

Does creeping jenny flower?

A fast-growing and vigorous groundcover, Creeping Jenny (also known as moneywort) brings mats of low-lying chartreuse color to gardens and containers. Native to Europe but naturalized to Eastern North America, its rounded golden leaves form on trailing stems with small, bright yellow flowers appearing in the summer.

Is creeping jenny a succulent?

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), also known as moneywort, is a species of evergreen perennial plant from the Primulaceae family. … Creeping Jenny is a ground cover plant, meaning it grows low to the ground and spreads outward through stem-rooting.

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. … These plants thrive in full sun to partial shade, and the leaves will have a different color according to their level of sun exposure.

Are there different kinds of creeping jenny?

Cultivars. Several lesser periwinkle cultivars are available, but only two creeping Jenny varieties are commonly grown. “Goldilocks” creeping Jenny is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 and is similar to “Aurea” but provides larger flowers, up to 1 inch across, that appear June through July.

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Can creeping Jenny be propagated?

Propagating Creeping Jenny Due to its resilience, creeping Jenny is easy to propagate. The plant naturally spreads by both seeds and rhizomes and can be rooted in water easily. The easiest way to establish new plants is to dig up a portion of an established patch, separate it, and plant it in new soil.

Is creeping Jenny 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.

Can I walk on creeping Jenny?

Creeping Jenny works well growing between stepping stones, where it will tolerate some foot traffic. … In the late spring, creeping Jenny also produces dainty butter-yellow flowers.

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.

Can Creeping Jenny live in water?

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.

What is the hardiest ground cover?

Under even the most unforgiving of conditions, lamium prevails. This vining plant, also known as dead nettles, can tolerate cold, heat, drought, and is deer-resistant. There are more than 40 species of lamium, but the best are those that are flowering perennials like the Pink Chablis.

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 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 Creeping Jenny grow in aquarium?

Creeping golden jenny can grow well in aquaria without a carbon dioxide injection system, but grows vigorously under bright light, in a carbon dioxide-enriched environment, and prefers higher dissolved nitrate levels (>5 mg/l).

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 Lysimachia an indoor plant?

Lysimachia nummularia may be grown as a short-term houseplant. Because this species’ stems grow very long and vigorously, it’s best planted in a hanging basket. However, it needs a cool winter dormancy to remain robust and healthy.

Why is my creeping jenny leaves curling?

As long as creeping Jenny gets plenty of moisture it is attractive but if water becomes scant it will produce tightly curled leaves that are ratty looking up close. It is especially nice in shady areas by streams, pools or wet areas where other ground covers often do poorly.

Do slugs eat creeping Jenny?

Pests. Slugs may threaten golden creeping Jenny plants growing in cool, humid settings. Active on overcast days and at night, they leave shiny mucus trails as they migrate from their daytime hiding places to feed.

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.

Should I mist creeping Jenny?

Keep the soil moist around the plant. Also spray its flowers with a bit of water to keep them hydrated. If you make any mistakes watering the creeping jenny, the stakes are pretty low. It’ll only grow slower, but almost certainly won’t die.

Is creeping Jenny drought tolerant?

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

What ground cover chokes out grass?

nameGolden Creeping Jenny (aka Moneywart)water requirementslots of watersun needswill grow in shade to full sunzones3-9

How do you overwinter 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.

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.

Are marigolds deer resistant?

All varieties of marigolds are a turnoff for deer because of their strong, pungent scent. However, signet marigolds (pictured) have a lighter citrusy smell and flavor, making them popular for culinary use. Learn more about growing marigolds.