Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a fast-growing perennial groundcover prized for forming dense, trailing mats. Its vigorous, prostrate growth habit makes it a favorite for softening the edges of containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds. This plant’s lush foliage and resilience make it a versatile choice for various landscape designs. This guide details where to find and how to acquire this popular garden plant.
Identifying Creeping Jenny Varieties
When shopping, buyers primarily encounter two distinct forms of Lysimachia nummularia. The standard species, often called Creeping Jenny or moneywort, features bright green, rounded leaves that resemble small coins. This green variety is known for its rapid spread and vigorous growth.
The most popular cultivar is ‘Aurea’, commonly sold as Golden Creeping Jenny, identified by its lighter, chartreuse to golden-yellow foliage. The leaf color of ‘Aurea’ depends on sun exposure, appearing more golden in brighter light and tending toward lime green in partial shade. While both varieties share the same trailing growth pattern, ‘Aurea’ is often marketed as being slightly less aggressive than the all-green species.
Retail and Online Purchase Sources
Creeping Jenny is widely available through multiple retail channels, offering buyers a choice between instant access and specialized selection. Physical locations allow for immediate inspection and purchase. Local nurseries often stock mature, high-quality specimens and provide expert advice specific to the regional climate. Large big-box stores typically offer smaller, less expensive starter plants, but inventory and plant health can be inconsistent. General garden centers usually fall between these two options, providing a reliable range of common varieties.
For a wider selection, online sources, including horticultural e-commerce sites and specialized perennial nurseries, offer convenience and access to less common cultivars. These vendors often ship plants as established plugs or bare roots, which is an economical way to purchase large quantities. When ordering online, plants are shipped directly but require acclimatization upon arrival. Smaller sellers on platforms like Etsy sometimes offer cuttings, which are the most cost-effective option but require the buyer to root the plant before planting.
Essential Pre-Purchase Considerations
Before purchasing Creeping Jenny, inspect the plant’s health to ensure a successful start. Examine the foliage closely for signs of common pests, such as aphids, or damage from slugs and snails. A healthy plant will have firm, vibrant leaves without wilting or discoloration.
The condition of the root system is also important, particularly when buying potted plants. Gently slide the plant out of its container and look for white, fibrous roots that fill the pot but are not excessively bound or circling. Brown, mushy roots are a sign of root rot, caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Purchasing is recommended from early spring through early summer, allowing the plant the longest period to establish roots before summer heat or winter dormancy.
A primary consideration is the plant’s aggressive growth habit, which leads to its classification as invasive in certain regions. Before buying, check with local agricultural extension offices for any restrictions, as some states prohibit the sale or planting of Lysimachia nummularia. For gardeners wishing to limit spread, planting in containers is the best solution, as this confines the vigorously rooting stems.
Handling and Planting After Purchase
Once Creeping Jenny has been acquired, immediate attention to handling ensures the plant’s survival and successful establishment. If the plant was shipped via mail order, immediately unpack it and place it in indirect light for a few days to recover from transit. The soil should be kept consistently moist during this acclimatization period.
For planting, choose a site with well-draining soil that remains moist, as this species thrives in damp conditions. Whether planting in the ground or a container, gently loosen the roots before placing the plant in the soil at the same depth it was in the nursery pot. In garden beds, space the plants about two feet apart to allow room for lateral spread, though they can be planted closer together for instant groundcover. Water the new planting thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.