The ‘Cheddar Cheese Plant’ refers to Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, also known as Golden Creeping Jenny. Its bright yellow-green leaves evoke the color of cheddar cheese, making it a popular choice for vibrant ground cover. This article guides how to cultivate and maintain this plant.
Understanding the Cheddar Cheese Plant
The plant commonly known as Cheddar Cheese Plant is Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, also called Golden Creeping Jenny or Moneywort. Its vibrant foliage ranges from chartreuse in shadier conditions to a rich golden-yellow when exposed to more sunlight. This herbaceous perennial is characterized by its vigorous, low-growing, and trailing habit, forming a dense mat as it spreads. The small, orbicular leaves, typically about 1 inch long, are borne on thin, creeping stems. Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is native to Europe and Western Asia, where it naturally thrives in moist environments.
Planting and Care Guide
Light Requirements
The Cheddar Cheese Plant thrives across a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. For vibrant golden foliage, situate the plant where it receives morning sun. While it tolerates full sun, intense afternoon sun can scorch its leaves. In shadier spots, the leaves will display a lime green or chartreuse hue.
Soil Preferences
This plant prefers moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. It can adapt to a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. An ideal soil pH for Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ ranges from slightly acidic to neutral, typically between 5.5 and 7.5. Ensuring good drainage is important to prevent waterlogging, even though the plant enjoys consistent moisture.
Watering Needs
Consistent moisture is important for the Cheddar Cheese Plant. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry periods. While it tolerates wet conditions, standing water should be avoided to prevent root issues. Plants in full sun may require more frequent watering than those in shadier locations.
Temperature and Humidity
The Cheddar Cheese Plant is a hardy perennial, thriving in USDA Zones 4-9. It tolerates a wide range of temperatures and performs well in dry and humid environments. In hot summers, providing afternoon shade helps the plant manage higher temperatures. It can also be grown indoors, provided adequate light and consistent moisture.
Fertilization
The Cheddar Cheese Plant is not a heavy feeder and often does not require extensive fertilization. A light application of balanced liquid fertilizer in early spring can promote healthy growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can encourage excessive spread. For established plants, a single feeding in early spring is usually sufficient.
Pruning
Pruning the Cheddar Cheese Plant helps manage its spread and maintain a tidy appearance. Regular trimming of wandering stems prevents it from overrunning other plants and keeps its shape contained. Light pruning can be done during spring and summer to remove wilted, discolored, or dead leaves. Shearing back the plant in late winter or early spring can rejuvenate growth and encourage a denser mat.
Propagating Cheddar Cheese Plant
Propagating the Cheddar Cheese Plant is straightforward as it readily roots from its stems.
Stem cuttings are a common method. Take 2-inch cuttings from healthy stems, ensuring each has at least one leaf node. Place cuttings in water until roots develop, or insert directly into moist potting soil. Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone can enhance root development, then cover to maintain humidity until new growth appears.
Division is another effective method for established clumps, especially when the plant becomes dense. Dig up a portion, ensuring the root ball remains intact. Separate the clump into smaller sections. Replant these divisions, keeping the soil moist to help them establish.
The plant also propagates through layering, where trailing stems root wherever they touch the soil. Encourage this by pressing a stem node into moist soil, securing it if needed. Once rooted, the new plantlet can be severed from the parent and transplanted.
Common Uses and Growing Locations
The Cheddar Cheese Plant’s vibrant foliage and creeping habit make it adaptable for many garden and landscape uses. It forms a dense mat, making it an excellent choice for ground cover, particularly in moist or partially shaded areas. It suppresses weeds and helps reduce soil erosion on slopes due to its spreading root system.
Its trailing nature is showcased in containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes, where its golden stems can cascade gracefully over the edges. This also offers a way to contain its vigorous spread if you are concerned about invasiveness. It is well-suited for boggy areas, pond edges, or even as a marginal aquatic plant in shallow water, as it tolerates wet conditions.
The plant can also be grown indoors as a houseplant, bringing its cheerful color to interior spaces. When used indoors, ensure it receives bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. Placing it in rock gardens or allowing it to spill over walls creates an attractive visual effect.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While the Cheddar Cheese Plant is generally low-maintenance, a few common issues can arise.
If the foliage begins to lose its bright golden color and appears dull, it often indicates insufficient light. Moving the plant to a location with more direct sun, especially morning sun, can help restore its characteristic yellow hue. Conversely, scorched or browned leaves are typically a sign of too much intense, direct sunlight, especially during hot afternoon hours. Providing some afternoon shade can prevent this.
Yellowing leaves, particularly on lower stems, might suggest overwatering or poor drainage, which can lead to root issues. Ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged, allowing excess water to drain away. Leggy growth, where stems become elongated with sparse foliage, often points to insufficient light, indicating the plant is stretching to find more illumination. Pruning can help encourage bushier growth in such cases.
The Cheddar Cheese Plant is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but occasionally, issues like aphids or spider mites may appear. Inspecting the plant regularly and using organic pest control methods, such as insecticidal soap, can help manage these. Fungal issues like rust or leaf spots can occur, especially in overly moist conditions; ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent them.
Its vigorous spreading habit can be invasive if not managed. To prevent unwanted spread, plant it in containers or areas where its growth can be contained, such as between paving stones or near a pond.