Plant Profile: Growing Creeping Jenny in Your NC Garden

If you've ever looked at your garden beds and thought, “This needs more drama… and maybe a pop of chartreuse,” then may I introduce you to the ultimate ground-hugging garden queen: Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia). With its glowing foliage, fast growth, and trailing habit, this low-growing perennial is practically made for adding color and movement to your NC garden.

Whether you're trying to soften the edges of a garden path, fill in a troublesome bare spot, or add some lush spill-over to your container arrangements, Creeping Jenny is here for all your garden goals. Let’s dig into the details (pun intended) about planting, growing, and loving this versatile plant in North Carolina.

Meet Creeping Jenny: Low-Growing, High-Impact

Creeping Jenny (also known as moneywort) is a trailing perennial native to Europe and Western Asia. It’s a member of the primrose family, and while it’s tiny in stature, it has a bold personality—especially the cultivar ‘Aurea’, which glows with brilliant lime-green foliage.

It grows low to the ground, only about 2 to 4 inches tall, but it can spread rapidly, forming a dense mat of foliage that trails, tumbles, and fills space like a pro.

Why You'll Love Creeping Jenny in Your NC Garden

• ✅ Easy to grow – thrives with little maintenance

• ✅ Incredible color – chartreuse or golden foliage brightens shady corners

• ✅ Versatile – ground cover, spiller in containers, erosion control

• ✅ Hardy – thrives in USDA zones 3–9, perfect for most parts of North Carolina. (I’ve had some in a pot for more than 6 years now, it comes back with no effort on my part)

• ✅ Quick to establish – fills in space faster than that cup of coffee you forgot on the porch

Where to Plant Creeping Jenny in North Carolina

Thanks to North Carolina’s humid subtropical climate, Creeping Jenny does very well here. The key is matching the plant’s needs with the right location.

Sunlight:
Creeping Jenny thrives in full sun to partial shade, but keep in mind:

• In full sun, the foliage will be a brighter golden yellow (gorgeous!)

• In partial shade, it takes on a more chartreuse or even light green hue

In hotter areas of NC (hey, Piedmont and Sandhills), partial shade in the afternoon helps prevent scorching.

Soil:
She’s not picky, but prefers:

• Moist, well-drained soil

• Slightly acidic to neutral pH

• Organically rich soil is a bonus, but not a deal-breaker

Water:
Moisture is key! Creeping Jenny likes consistently damp soil—she’s not the one to leave high and dry.

• Water regularly during dry spells

• Mulch around the base to help retain moisture (especially in summer)

How to Plant Creeping Jenny

In the ground:

1. Choose your site and loosen the top 6–8 inches of soil

2. Mix in compost or organic matter

3. Dig holes spaced 12–18 inches apart

4. Place the plants and fill in with soil

5. Water deeply to help roots settle in

In containers or hanging baskets:

• Use high-quality potting mix

• Make sure containers have good drainage

• Pair with upright plants like salvias or coleus for contrast

Maintenance: Low Key, High Reward

Watering:

• Loves consistent moisture—don’t let her go dry

• Avoid waterlogging the roots, though; soggy soil = sad plant

Fertilizing:

• Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring

• Don’t overdo it—too much nitrogen can encourage leggy growth

Pruning:

• You can trim Creeping Jenny to control spread, especially if it starts to wander where it shouldn’t

• She responds well to a haircut—give her a light trim in late spring or mid-summer to encourage denser growth

Winter care in NC:

• Creeping Jenny is hardy in USDA zones 3–9, so in most NC regions, it overwinters just fine

• The foliage may brown or die back, especially in colder mountain regions, but it usually bounces back in spring

• Add a light layer of mulch before winter if you’re in a colder microclimate

Is Creeping Jenny Invasive in North Carolina?

Let’s address the Jenny-sized elephant in the room.

Yes, Creeping Jenny can be aggressive—especially in ideal conditions. In some parts of the U.S., it’s considered invasive, but in North Carolina, it’s not currently listed as a noxious weed. That said, it can spread quickly, especially in wet, shady environments.

To keep her in check:

• Use edging in garden beds

• Plant in contained spaces (rock gardens, raised beds, containers)

• Be mindful of where you plant near native woodlands or waterways

Creative Ways to Use Creeping Jenny

Now for the fun part! Here’s where Creeping Jenny can really shine in your NC garden:

🌼 Groundcover in shady beds – Fills in fast, suppresses weeds, and adds color under trees or shrubs

🌼 Container gardens – Gorgeous as a “spiller” plant that trails beautifully over the sides

🌼 Hanging baskets – Let those golden vines drip dramatically

🌼 Garden walls & retaining edges – Softens hardscapes and creates a lush look

🌼 Pathway filler – Tolerates light foot traffic and looks magical between stepping stones

🌼 Rain gardens or damp zones – Thrives in wetter areas that other plants avoid

Pests + Problems

Good news: Creeping Jenny is relatively pest-free! Occasionally, you may see:

• Slugs or snails

• Root rot if the soil stays waterlogged

To prevent issues:

• Provide good drainage

• Water at the base rather than overhead

• Don’t crowd her too closely with other plants

In Summary: Is Creeping Jenny Right for Your NC Garden?

If you’re looking for:
✔️ A bold, colorful groundcover
✔️ A way to fill in tricky spaces
✔️ A plant that’s easy, adaptable, and a little bit wild

Then Creeping Jenny might be your garden’s new BFF. With a little oversight to keep her from wandering too far, she’s a fantastic addition to containers, borders, and shady beds all across North Carolina.

Just remember—like a true Southern charmer, she needs a little room to spread her roots, a lot of sun (or shade with sass), and a bit of consistent pampering to keep her happy.