Creeping jenny is a popular ground cover plant known for its bright green leaves and yellow flowers. With its low-maintenance growth habit and visual appeal, it’s no wonder many gardeners look to add this plant to their outdoor spaces. But before purchasing creeping jenny, it’s important to know where to find high-quality plants and what to look for when buying. This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know about where to buy creeping jenny.
Overview of Creeping Jenny
Creeping jenny, also known by its botanical name Lysimachia nummularia, is a low-growing perennial plant in the primulaceae family Native to Europe, it earned the common name “creeping jenny” from its spreading growth habit—the plant creeps along the ground with vine-like stems that root at the nodes
Creeping jenny is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-9, thriving in partial shade to full sun exposure. It reaches a mature size of 2-4 inches tall and spreads 12-24 inches wide The round, bright green leaves provide a lush carpet of foliage, sometimes developing a reddish tint in fall.
From mid to late summer, creeping jenny produces clusters of small, star-shaped yellow flowers. Though short-lived, the blooms add a pop of color. This plant spreads rapidly and requires minimal care, making it an excellent erosion control and weed suppressant. It’s also deer and rabbit resistant.
Where to Buy Creeping Jenny
Creeping jenny is sold at most plant nurseries, garden centers, and stores that carry a selection of live plants. Here are some of the best places to buy creeping jenny:
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Your local independent nurseries and garden centers should carry creeping jenny, often available in both pots and hanging baskets. The benefit of buying from a local nursery is you can see and choose the exact plant. Inspect it for health, looking for signs of disease, insect damage, or root issues.
Ask the staff when the plant was brought in—young plants shipped in recently are preferable to those that have been sitting around for weeks. A reputable nursery will be knowledgeable about plant care and provide advice on planting, sunlight, watering needs, etc.
Big Box Stores
Major home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock creeping jenny seasonally, generally in spring and summer. The plants are affordably priced but selection is more limited than a nursery. On the plus side, big box stores often carry larger creeping jenny plants in hanging baskets and multi-plant packs.
Inspect plants carefully for good health and vigor. Keep in mind box store plants may endure less than ideal storage and transport conditions. Ask staff about the source nursery and when plants arrived.
Online Nurseries
Ordering creeping jenny online opens up many options that may not be locally available, from rare cultivars to bulk quantities. Reputable online nurseries ship healthy, established plants, but they will cost more due to overnight shipping fees.
Be sure to shop early in spring before inventory sells out. Read customer reviews and check if the nursery guarantees live delivery. Factor extra time for shipping into your planting schedule.
Local Classifieds
Check your community classifieds (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc.) under the plants and garden category. Home gardeners often divide and sell extra creeping jenny. This can be a budget way to find free or cheap plants.
Inspect any plants carefully before buying, as you likely won’t get professional advice on care. Only purchase plants that look very healthy.
What to Look for When Buying Creeping Jenny
To ensure you buy vigorous, high-quality creeping jenny plants, inspect them carefully and look for:
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Healthy foliage and stems: Leaves should be bright green without spots, mushy sections, or insect damage. Stems and vines should be firm and plump, not shriveled.
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Well-established roots: Gently remove the plant from the pot to check roots. They should be white, plentiful, and hold together soil. Avoid root-bound or root-bare plants.
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Signs of new growth: Emerging stems, leaves, and buds indicate an actively growing, robust plant.
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Moist soil: Soil shouldn’t be bone dry, which stresses plants, or soggy wet. Proper moisture indicates good care.
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Young plants: Those shipped in the current season are preferable to overwintered plants.
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No flowers: Blooms sap energy from developing roots and foliage. Flowerless plants establish better.
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Good labeling: Tags should note the plant name, growing conditions, and origin nursery.
How to Plant and Care for Creeping Jenny
Once you’ve brought home your creeping jenny, proper planting and care will ensure the plants thrive. Here are some tips:
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Select a planting site with partial sun to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Amend soil if needed to improve drainage.
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Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for spreading growth. Or plant in groups as a ground cover.
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Water thoroughly after planting and whenever the top few inches of soil become dry. Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week.
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Apply mulch like wood chips around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Leave some bare space around the stems.
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Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Trim back wayward stems and remove dead leaves/flowers to encourage dense growth.
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Divide overcrowded plants in spring every 2-3 years to rejuvenate. Replant divisions or share with gardening friends!
With the right growing conditions and care, creeping jenny will quickly spread to create a lush carpet of foliage and flowers for you to enjoy.
Common Problems With Creeping Jenny
Creeping jenny is relatively trouble-free, but may encounter these potential issues:
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Invasive growth: The plants spread rapidly and can overwhelm other garden plants. Manage growth by pruning back and dividing frequently.
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Foliage decline: Leaves turn brown or yellow from too much sun, overly dry/wet soil, or fertilizer burn. Improve conditions and remove damaged leaves.
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Leggy growth: When plants become stretched out from insufficient light, prune back stems or move to a sunnier location.
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Pests: Aphids, spider mites, or snails may infest plants. Treat with horticultural soaps, neem oil, or organic pesticides.
With proper siting, care, and pruning, creeping jenny should remain lush and healthy for years of enjoyment. Reach out to your local nursery for help diagnosing and resolving any issues.
Alternative Ground Cover Options
While creeping jenny is a top choice for ground cover, some alternatives to consider include:
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Sweet woodruff: Fragrant white flowers; thrives in shade.
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Creeping phlox: Early spring blooms; sun or part shade.
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Ajuga: Spiky blue flowers; shade tolerant.
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Dwarf mondo grass: Grass-like; sun or shade.
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Creeping thyme: Dense mats with edible leaves and flowers.
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Irish/Scotch moss: Bright green mossy mounds; sun.
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SEDUM: Succulent foliage; drought tolerant.
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Lamium: Colorful leaves; part sun to shade.
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Vinca minor: Glossy leaves with blue flowers; shade.
Mix and match different ground covers for visual interest and to suit specific site conditions in your landscape.
The Benefits of Adding Creeping Jenny to Your Garden
With its rapid spreading habit, creeping jenny offers a range of benefits that make it a top choice as an ornamental ground cover:
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Requires minimal care and maintenance once established.
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Forms a uniform green carpet to suppress weeds.
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Tolerates foot traffic and is pet/child friendly.
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Adds year-round color from foliage and flowers.
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Attracts pollinators with its blooms.
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Stabilizes soil and controls erosion on slopes and banks.
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Grows in sun or shade for versatile use.
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Withstands drought, heat, pests, and deer nibbling.
Let creeping jenny lend its decorative appeal and reliable performance to your garden beds, borders, rock gardens, and other landscaping needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creeping Jenny
Here are some common questions about buying and growing creeping jenny:
How fast does creeping jenny spread?
Expect creeping jenny to expand its reach 12-24 inches per year. Growth rate depends on conditions like light and moisture. Stems root along the nodes as they creep along the ground.
Is creeping jenny hardy?
Yes, this durable plant is cold hardy to zone 3 (-40°F) so it can withstand icy winters. Provide winter mulch in very cold climates.
Is creeping jenny deer resistant?
Deer tend to leave creeping jenny alone, making it a good ground cover for areas prone to deer browse damage.
Does creeping jenny spread indefinitely?
Left uncontrolled, creeping jenny will spread rapidly and indefinitely! Prune back the longest stems and remove portions near other plants to contain spread if needed.
How do you start creeping jenny from cuttings?
In summer, cut 4-6 inch stem tips just below leaf nodes. Remove lower leaves and stick cuttings in potting mix. Keep moist until roots form in a few weeks.
With its easy care nature and ornamental appeal, creeping jenny is sure to beautify gardens and landscapes for years to come. Follow this guide to find healthy plants from reputable sources near you. Then plant and care for your creeping jenny properly to allow these hardy plants to thrive and spread their verdant foliage.
Care Summary for Creeping Jenny
Greg recommends:
0.5 cups every 9 days
< 1ft from a window
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
Get personalized care for every one of your plants!
How to fertilize Creeping Jenny
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plants nutrients, repot your Creeping Jenny after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Creeping Jenny is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Creeping Jenny prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Creeping Jenny requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive . Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home .
Creeping Jenny is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Creeping Jenny doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Creeping Jenny does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Creeping Jenny should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Creeping Jenny is native to Worldwide.
Yes, you may see your Creeping Jenny bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
USDA Hardiness Zone Creeping Jenny can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Creeping Jenny can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Creeping Jenny, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.