Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Creeping Jenny, Moneywort, Herb twopence, Twopenny grass, Golden creeping Jenny ('Aurea')
Family
Primulaceae (primrose family)
Origin
Europe (including Britain); introduced in North America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
4–24°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
3–20 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to high light; CO2 helpful underwater

Care

Creeping Jenny is an evergreen European perennial of damp ground and pond edges that creeps along the ground, rooting from the stems, with round paired leaves and yellow cup-shaped flowers about 2 cm across. On land it stays below about 5 cm. The golden-leaved cultivar 'Aurea' is less vigorous and is grown as a pond marginal and bog plant. It is mainly a marginal and bog plant. Underwater it grows upright with paired round leaves and can last for some time, but our sources do not cover submerged growth, and it generally does best in cool water. It suits coldwater tanks and pond margins better than warm tropical tanks, where it tends to decline. It is fully hardy outdoors to about −15 °C. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. It is invasive in parts of North America. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysimachianummularia); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Every stem fragment can root, so take cuttings or lift rooted pieces. On land it spreads quickly by rooting runners.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best in unheated or coldwater tanks and ponds with temperate fish such as minnows, sticklebacks or small goldfish; large goldfish and koi may eat or uproot it. It suits tropical tanks poorly over the long term.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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