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Creeping Jenny, botanically Lysimachia nummularia and also called moneywort, is a low, trailing perennial groundcover known for round leaves, fast spread, and bright green to gold foliage. It usually stays about 2 to 4 inches tall, but its stems root wherever nodes touch moist soil, so the real question is not whether it will grow. The question is whether you can keep it where you intended.
On our job sites, we treat creeping Jenny as a contained landscape material, not a set-it-and-forget-it groundcover. It works well in planters, hanging baskets, masonry pockets, raised beds, between stepping stones with light foot traffic, and small beds with hard edging. It is much riskier near lawns, drainage swales, creeks, wetlands, storm drains, pond edges, and open natural areas.
If you want the short answer: grow creeping Jenny in moist, well-drained soil, give golden cultivars morning sun and afternoon shade in hot climates, space plants 12 to 18 inches on center, water consistently during establishment, and inspect the edges every month during the growing season. Before buying, check your state and county invasive plant rules. In some places, this plant is restricted or prohibited.
What Creeping Jenny Is Good For
Creeping Jenny is a mat-forming perennial with trailing stems that spread by stolons. Each stem can root at nodes, which is why a few small plants can fill a bed quickly. In cold-winter regions it often dies back and returns from the root system in spring. In mild or protected sites it can stay semi-evergreen.
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The plant is commonly listed for USDA Zones 3 to 9 or 4 to 9, depending on the source and cultivar. In practical terms, cold tolerance is rarely the limiting factor. Heat, drought, compacted soil, poor drainage, and lack of containment cause more failures and more regrets than winter weather.
#1 Best Overall
- 4 PACK* Trailing Perennial Groundcover: Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a fast-growing plant with vibrant, chartreuse-green foliage.
- Spreading Habit: Creates a lush, dense mat of foliage, ideal for erosion control and weed suppression. At its maturity, it will reach about 4 inches tall, with a spread of about 18 inches.
- Low Maintenance: Easy to grow in sun or partial shade; tolerates a variety of soils.
- Fun fact: Creeping Jenny is also referred to as "moneywort" because of it's coin shaped leaves.
- Live Plants: Our plants are grown exclusively for Deep Roots and The Three Company, shipped fresh directly from our greenhouse to you!
Good uses include container edges, hanging baskets, raised planters, contained courtyard beds, between pavers where the planting area is bordered by hardscape, and small moist garden pockets where escape into natural areas is not likely. The golden forms, often sold as ‘Aurea‘ or ‘Goldilocks‘, are popular because they brighten shaded patios and stonework.
Poor uses include large open groundcover beds, slopes that drain into natural areas, streambanks, low ditches, unmanaged pond edges, rain gardens without local approval, and any bed where the owner expects zero maintenance. Creeping Jenny is easy to grow, but easy does not mean harmless.
Invasive Risk and Where Not to Plant It
Creeping Jenny is not native to North America and has documented spread across much of the eastern United States, with occurrences in parts of the central and western U.S. as well. It can move by rooted stem fragments and seed, and it can invade wetlands, floodplains, riparian edges, and other moist habitats where it competes with native plants.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRegulation varies by state and sometimes by county. Massachusetts prohibits the sale, importation, and propagation of creeping Jenny. Washington lists it on a monitor list. Colorado Extension has noted that it is not currently on Colorado’s noxious weed list. Those examples show why a single national answer is not good enough. Before buying plants online or approving a landscape plan, verify the current invasive-plant rules for your state, county, HOA, and project type.
Our rule is simple: do not use creeping Jenny where water can carry fragments into public drainage, a creek, a pond overflow, wetlands, wooded lots, preserve buffers, or neighboring properties. If a client wants the look in a risky location, we specify a native or regionally appropriate substitute instead.
Better Alternatives for Sensitive Sites
For shaded or partly shaded areas, consider green-and-gold, wild ginger, foamflower, partridgeberry, sedges, native violets, or other local groundcovers recommended by your extension office. For sunnier dry edges, creeping phlox may be a better fit. For rain gardens and stormwater areas, use regionally appropriate native rain-garden plants rather than a spreading nonnative groundcover.
The right substitute depends on region, light, soil moisture, deer pressure, salt exposure, and whether the area receives roof runoff, driveway runoff, or overflow from hardscape. A proper stormwater planting is a small system, not just a pretty plant list.
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Creeping Jenny tolerates full sun to light shade, but the best exposure depends on climate and cultivar. Golden cultivars color best with some direct light. In cooler climates, more sun can improve the yellow-gold foliage if soil stays evenly moist. In hot regions, morning sun with afternoon shade is usually the safer placement. Hot afternoon sun plus dry soil often causes browning, thin growth, or scorched leaves.
The preferred soil is moist, humus-rich, and well-drained. That combination matters. Creeping Jenny tolerates damp soil better than many groundcovers, but it does not need stagnant, anaerobic muck. In containers, constantly saturated potting mix can lead to root problems, fungal leaf spots, and rust. In beds, compacted clay should be amended and graded so water moves through the root zone rather than sitting against a hardpan layer.
Rank #2
- 2 PACK* Trailing Perennial Groundcover: Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a fast-growing plant with vibrant, chartreuse-green foliage.
- Spreading Habit: Creates a lush, dense mat of foliage, ideal for erosion control and weed suppression. At its maturity, it will reach about 4 inches tall, with a spread of about 18 inches.
- Low Maintenance: Easy to grow in sun or partial shade; tolerates a variety of soils.
- Fun fact: Creeping Jenny is also referred to as "moneywort" because of it's coin shaped leaves.
- Live Plants: Our plants are grown exclusively for Deep Roots and The Three Company, shipped fresh directly from our greenhouse to you!
For a new planting, water deeply after installation and keep the root zone evenly moist for the first 4 to 8 weeks. In hot weather, small 4-inch plants may need water every 1 to 3 days until rooted. Once established, the plant still performs best with consistent moisture. Drought stress usually shows as browning, thinning, crispy edges, and stalled spread.
Practical Soil Prep
For a small bed, loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Blend in 1 to 2 inches of compost where the soil is sandy, compacted, or low in organic matter. Do not bury the crowns. Set plants so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, then water thoroughly to settle air pockets.
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Spacing, Coverage, and 2026 Cost Expectations
Plant spacing controls both the budget and the maintenance curve. For fast coverage, use 12-inch spacing, which is roughly 1 plant per square foot. For a lower upfront cost, use 18-inch spacing, which is roughly 1 plant per 2.25 square feet. Wider spacing saves money at the register but leaves more bare soil for weeds and requires more patience.
In 2026, 4-inch creeping Jenny pots commonly run about $3.50 to $9.50 at local garden centers. Online pricing can land around $5.99 to $12.99 per plant including shipping. Local 1-gallon examples are around $9.75. Golden or named cultivars such as ‘Aurea’ and ‘Goldilocks’ can cost 30% to 50% more than plain green forms. Late-summer nursery clearances may reduce plant costs, but selection and plant quality can be uneven.
| Project Size | Spacing | Approx. Plants | Plant Cost Range | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 sq ft | 12 inches | 25 plants | $88-$238 | Fast-fill patio pocket or planter bed |
| 25 sq ft | 18 inches | 11 plants | $39-$105 | Budget bed with slower coverage |
| 50 sq ft | 12 inches | 50 plants | $175-$475 | Visible groundcover area needing quick coverage |
| 50 sq ft | 18 inches | 22 plants | $77-$209 | Lower-cost fill where weeds can be managed |
Those numbers cover plants only. Compost, planting mix, mulch, edging, delivery, tools, irrigation changes, and disposal can add meaningful cost. For professional softscape work, current national homeowner-facing guides commonly put general landscaping around $4.50 to $12 or $4.50 to $14.50 per square foot. Flower and groundcover planting may be quoted around $15 to $45 per square foot or $10 to $30 per pot depending on prep, access, and project minimums.
For a construction-minded landscape, price the bed as a system: grading, soil correction, containment edging, drainage, plant material, mulch, and maintenance access. The cheapest installation is often the one that fails first.
How to Plant Creeping Jenny Correctly
Start by confirming that the plant is legal to buy and install in your location. Then choose a contained location. Good boundaries include concrete walks, masonry walls, steel or aluminum edging, raised planter walls, curbs, and isolated paver joints. Plastic edging can work for light-duty beds, but it must be installed straight, deep enough, and maintained. We prefer metal edging or hardscape containment where the plant sits near turf or drainage features.
Rank #3
- ✅BEAUTIFUL FOLIAGE! Creeping Jenny ‘Green’ is a beautiful plant! The chain of bright green foliage really brightens up any garden or container! Creeping Jenny ‘Green’ is sure to become a focal point in your space!
- ✅AWARD WINNING! Creeping Jenny ‘Green’ is an award winning plant! It has won the Best of Breed award by North Carolina State and the Knock Your Socks Off by UGA multiple times! When you experience this plant in your space, you will quickly see why it was so deserving of these awards!
- ✅MOTHER NATURE KNOWS BEST! Water plants act as filters & work WONDERS for the clarity and quality of your water--naturally! They also provide excellent habitat for your prized fish and other wildlife!
- ✅BLACK THUMB FRIENDLY! Pond plants are forgiving & super simple to grow! All they need is plenty of moisture & some gravel or soil to hold roots in place! Easy as that!
- ✅100% QUALITY GUARANTEE! Our plants are grown & shipped by skilled, trusted aquatic plant experts. Your plant is guaranteed to arrive alive and healthy!
Before any digging, call 811 or submit an online utility marking request. This applies even to shallow landscape work. Edging, irrigation repairs, stake installation, grading, and planting near service lines can still create utility risk. Requirements vary by state; many systems ask for at least 2 to 3 business days before digging. Texas 811, New York 811, and the national 811 system all provide homeowner guidance, but your local rules control the timeline.
Installation Steps
- Mark the bed edge and confirm the plant will not drain into a natural area, storm drain, creek, or wetland buffer.
- Request 811 utility marking before excavation, edging, irrigation work, or grading.
- Remove turf and perennial weeds by the roots. Do not plant into a weedy bed and expect creeping Jenny to solve it.
- Loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil and amend with 1 to 2 inches of compost where needed.
- Install edging before planting so the containment line is clean and visible.
- Place plants 12 inches on center for quick coverage or 18 inches on center for lower upfront cost.
- Set root balls level with the soil surface, backfill, and water deeply.
- Add a light mulch layer between plants, keeping mulch off the crowns.
- Inspect weekly for the first month and monthly after establishment.
If you are planting between stepping stones or pavers, make sure the joints have soil depth and drainage. Creeping Jenny can handle light foot traffic, but it is not a turf substitute for a main walkway. Keep the crown slightly below the paver surface so feet and wheels do not scrape it out, and expect trimming along joints several times per growing season.
Maintenance: Keeping It Attractive and Contained
Creeping Jenny maintenance is mostly edge control. During the growing season, inspect the planting monthly. Clip runners that cross the boundary, enter turf, creep toward drains, or touch soil below a container. Remove all fragments. Do not toss trimmings into woods, ditches, compost piles that do not heat properly, or low wet spots where stems can re-root.
In containers and hanging baskets, trim long trails before they reach the ground. This is one of the most common escape routes: a basket looks attractive, the stems touch soil under the pot, and by the end of the season the plant has rooted outside the container.
Fertilizer should be light. In decent soil, compost and consistent moisture are usually enough. Heavy feeding can push soft, fast growth that needs more trimming and may be more prone to stress. If growth is weak, diagnose water, light, soil compaction, and root health before adding fertilizer.
Divide or thin dense patches when growth piles up on itself or starts smothering nearby plants. Spring or early fall is usually the easiest timing. Lift sections with a hand tool, keep the desired mat, and bag unwanted fragments for disposal according to local guidance.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring: Clean winter-damaged foliage, check edges, divide crowded sections, and refresh a light compost topdress if needed.
Summer: Water during dry spells, trim runners monthly, and watch golden cultivars for scorch in afternoon sun.
Rank #4
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Fall: Cut back escape growth, remove fragments, and confirm the planting has not moved into drains, turf, or adjacent beds.
Winter: In cold regions, expect dieback. Avoid heavy foot traffic over dormant crowns in wet soil.
Problems, Pests, and Troubleshooting
Browning usually means drought stress, too much hot sun, root stress, or a container that dried out. Move containers to morning sun, water deeply, and trim damaged growth. In the ground, check whether water is actually reaching the root zone rather than running off compacted soil.
Yellowing or mushy growth can mean poor drainage or overwatering, especially in containers without adequate drain holes. Use a quality potting mix, not dense garden soil, and make sure water exits the container freely. Damp is fine; stagnant is not.
Leaf spots, rust, and fungal issues can show up where foliage stays wet and air circulation is poor. Thin heavy growth, avoid overhead watering late in the day, and remove affected debris. Most small plantings recover when moisture and airflow are corrected.
Patchy growth in a new bed is often a spacing or weed-pressure problem. At 18-inch spacing, the bed may need a full growing season or more to knit together. Keep weeds down by hand, maintain even moisture, and resist the urge to overfertilize bare areas.
When to DIY vs. When to Hire a Pro
A homeowner can usually handle a small container, hanging basket, or simple 25 to 50 square foot contained bed if the site is level, utilities are marked, drainage is straightforward, and invasive rules are clear. Expect to spend a half day to a full weekend depending on turf removal, edging, soil prep, and watering setup.
Hire a professional when the bed touches hardscape, drainage, slopes, irrigation, retaining walls, wet areas, or property lines. Also hire help when you need grading, a clean steel or aluminum edging line, drainage correction, sod removal, hauling, or a plant substitution plan for a regulated site. Commercial properties, HOAs, and multifamily sites should document invasive-status checks and approved substitutions in the landscape plan.
Best Value
- What You Will Receive – Two (2) live Lysimachia ‘Goldilocks’ plants (commonly known as Creeping Jenny), each 4–6 inches tall, shipped bare root and carefully packaged to arrive healthy and ready to plant.
- Bright Golden Foliage – Features cascading, vibrant chartreuse leaves that brighten gardens, containers, and hanging baskets, adding instant contrast and texture to any outdoor or indoor display.
- Versatile Growing Options – Ideal for use as a groundcover, edging along walkways, spilling from planters, or as a trailing accent in mixed containers. Thrives in sun or partial shade.
- Practical Garden Value – Creates lush, low-growing mats that help cover bare soil, suppress weeds, and fill spaces quickly with eye-catching color.
- Beginner-Friendly & Low Maintenance – Hardy, fast-growing, and easy to care for. Tolerates a wide range of soils and conditions, making it perfect for gardeners of all levels.
From a contractor’s perspective, the risk is rarely the 4-inch plant. The risk is the condition around it: bad drainage against a walk, roots entering paver joints, stolons moving into turf, or plant fragments escaping toward a stormwater feature. A durable installation accounts for those details before the first flat of plants arrives.
Final Recommendation
Creeping Jenny can be a sharp-looking, durable groundcover when used with discipline. Treat it like a fast-spreading material that needs boundaries, moisture, and routine edge maintenance. Use it in containers, raised beds, masonry pockets, and isolated hardscape joints. Be cautious in open soil. Avoid it near waterways, wetlands, storm drains, unmanaged pond edges, and natural areas.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf the site is sensitive, choose a native or regionally appropriate alternative. If you do install creeping Jenny, build the bed properly: call 811, prepare 6 to 8 inches of soil, install edging, space plants based on the budget and desired fill speed, water through establishment, and inspect monthly. That is the difference between a controlled landscape detail and a future removal project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is creeping Jenny invasive in my state?
It depends on your state and local rules. Creeping Jenny is nonnative in North America and can spread aggressively in moist natural areas. Massachusetts prohibits sale, import, and propagation, while other states may monitor or regulate it differently. Check your state extension office, county invasive plant list, and local nursery guidance before buying.
Does creeping Jenny come back every year?
Yes, creeping Jenny is a perennial in much of the U.S., commonly listed for USDA Zones 3 to 9 or 4 to 9. In colder areas it may die back in winter and return in spring. In mild protected sites it may remain partly evergreen.
Should creeping Jenny be planted in sun or shade?
It can grow in full sun to light shade. Golden cultivars usually show better color with some sun, but in hot climates morning sun and afternoon shade are safer. Full hot sun without consistent moisture can scorch or brown the foliage.
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How fast does creeping Jenny spread?
It spreads quickly by trailing stems that root at nodes. At 12-inch spacing, a bed can fill much faster than at 18-inch spacing, but growth depends on moisture, soil, light, and temperature. Inspect monthly during the growing season to cut back runners.
Can creeping Jenny be used between pavers?
Yes, if the joints are lightly traveled, have enough soil, and are contained by hardscape. It is not a substitute for turf on a main walkway. Keep it trimmed so it does not lift into walking paths, drains, or adjacent lawn.
Do I need 811 utility marking before planting a groundcover bed?
If you are digging, installing edging, adjusting irrigation, grading, or staking near the planting area, request 811 utility marking first. Many states require notice at least 2 to 3 business days before digging, but local rules control the exact timeline.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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