Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Primulaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia (damp meadows and stream banks). It grows 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -37 °C (-35 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Creeping Jenny in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Creeping Jenny at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Primulaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -37 °C (-35 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 6–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia (damp meadows and stream banks) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Invasive in | US (several states in the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest): check local rules before planting |
Is Creeping Jenny toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
No toxicity clearly documented in standard references; treat as untested.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Creeping Jenny
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Creeping Jenny
- How far apart should I plant Creeping Jenny?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Creeping Jenny need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Creeping Jenny need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Creeping Jenny?
- It tolerates about -37 °C (-35 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Creeping Jenny flower?
- From about June for 6–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Creeping Jenny poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. No toxicity clearly documented in standard references; treat as untested.
- What grows well with Creeping Jenny?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Creeping Jenny. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Semi-evergreen; foliage may die back in hard winters. Roots along its stems and can be invasive in wet ground.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Primrose Primula vulgaris
- Ivy-leaved cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium
- Auricula Primula auricula
- Cowslip Primula veris
- Giant Himalayan cowslip Primula florindae
- Florist’s cyclamen Cyclamen persicum
- Coral ardisia (manryō) Ardisia crenata
- Japanese primrose (kurinsō) Primula japonica