Creeping jenny, also known by its scientific name Lysimachia nummularia, is a popular trailing plant that is often grown outdoors as an ornamental ground cover. But did you know that this vibrant little plant can also thrive when grown indoors?
In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully growing creeping jenny houseplants, including
- Creeping Jenny’s Background and Features
- Ideal Growing Conditions Indoors
- Planting and Propagation Tips
- Proper Care and Maintenance
- Creative Display Ideas
- Troubleshooting Common Problems
Whether you’re new to houseplants or a seasoned indoor gardener, creeping jenny’s versatility and bright pops of color make it a great addition to any home. Read on to learn how to keep this adaptable little plant happy in your indoor growing space!
A Quick Overview of Creeping Jenny
Native to Europe and parts of Asia, creeping jenny is a fast-growing perennial plant that’s a member of the primrose family. It gets its common name from its long, creeping stems that freely root at nodes and spread out horizontally across the ground or cascade gracefully from containers.
The round coin-shaped leaves emerge a bright lime green and mature to a golden chartreuse color. Solitary cup-shaped yellow flowers may appear at leaf axils in summer, but the foliage is the main attraction. This tough, adaptable plant thrives outdoors in zones 4-9.
In addition to its use as a hardy ground cover, creeping jenny makes a fantastic houseplant. It adds a pop of color and trailing impact to desks, shelves, and hanging planters. The lush foliage cascades beautifully from mixed containers and hanging baskets.
Providing the Ideal Indoor Growing Conditions
Creeping jenny adapts readily to indoor cultivation but there are some key conditions to provide for optimal health and growth
Light: Bright, indirect light is essential. Place creeping jenny in an east or west-facing window where it will receive 4-6 hours of sun. Direct hot sunlight can scorch the leaves.
Temperature: Average room temperatures between 65-75°F are ideal. Avoid drafty areas.
Humidity: Average humidity is fine, but higher humidity is appreciated. Use a pebble tray or humidifier to boost moisture.
Soil: Use a rich, well-draining indoor potting mix. Amend regular soil with perlite to improve drainage.
Fertilizer: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half-strength every 2-4 weeks in the growing season.
Water: Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry. Take care not to overwater.
Drainage: Ensure containers have drainage holes at the bottom and drain well.
Recreate these favorable conditions indoors and your creeping jenny will thrive!
Planting and Propagating Tips
Creeping jenny can be planted in containers or allowed to freely trail from hanging baskets. Follow these tips:
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Select a container with drainage holes and use fresh potting mix.
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Water the plant well after repotting and let excess water drain out.
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Creeping jenny can also be propagated from stem cuttings in spring or summer.
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Take 4-6 inch cuttings and remove lower leaves. Dip the stem in rooting hormone.
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Stick cuttings in moist potting soil and cover with a plastic bag. Keep soil moist but not soggy.
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New plants should root in about 4 weeks. Transplant to containers after sufficient root growth.
Propagating from stem cuttings is an easy and effective way to make more creeping jenny plants for free!
Caring for Your Creeping Jenny Indoors
Once established in its container, creeping jenny requires just a bit of simple care to look its best indoors:
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Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Take care not to overwater.
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Pinch back long trailing stems to encourage bushier growth. Propagate from trimmings!
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Wipe dust off the leaves every so often to optimize light absorption.
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Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during the active growing period.
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Watch for pests like aphids or spider mites and treat any infestations promptly.
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Repot every 2 years in spring, or whenever the plant is pot-bound.
With the right care, creeping jenny houseplants can thrive for many years! Their versatility and vivid color make them delightful additions to desks, shelves, and hanging displays.
Creative Ways to Showcase Trailing Creeping Jenny
One of the best aspects of growing creeping jenny indoors is how many ways there are to show off its flowing, trailing stems! Here are some ideas:
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Let creeping jenny spill from a hanging basket suspended where its vines can trail freely.
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Use the plant as a cascading element in a mixed container garden or succulent arrangement.
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Plant creeping jenny in a tall urn or pot and situate it on a pedestal or plant stand.
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Place small creeping jenny pots on bookshelves or cabinets so the stems can hang down attractively.
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Set pots along a bright windowsill and let the lush chartreuse leaves and trailing stems steal the show.
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Train the creeping stems onto trellises or use plant clips to guide them along the edges of shelves or railings.
Take advantage of creeping jenny’s natural trailing habit to create stunning displays! The possibilities are endless.
Troubleshooting Common Creeping Jenny Problems
Growing creeping jenny indoors is relatively simple when its needs are met, but occasionally problems may arise:
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Leggy growth: Insufficient sunlight. Move plant closer to a window.
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Sparse foliage: Not enough light or fertilizer. Increase both.
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Yellow leaves: Overwatering or poor drainage. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings.
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Leaf drop: Underwatering or root rot. Adjust watering and repot if necessary.
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Wilting: Too much or too little water. Check soil moisture.
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Pests: Treat insects like aphids with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Catch any issues early and adjust care accordingly. Prune back leggy growth, propagate new plants from cuttings, and provide good drainage to avoid most problems!
Enjoy the Vibrancy of Creeping Jenny Indoors
Few houseplants offer the gracefully trailing stems and vivid pops of color that creeping jenny provides. This adaptive little plant is easy to grow indoors when provided with ample indirect sunlight, moderate watering, and well-draining soil.
Show off creeping jenny’s flowing foliage and bright chartreuse leaves by displaying it in hanging containers, mixed planters, or trailing from bookshelves and railings. Keep the plant looking lush by pinching back wayward stems and propagating new plants from cuttings.
Add a burst of energy to your indoor garden with creeping jenny houseplants! Their versatility and ease of care make them a great choice for beginners and experienced plant parents alike.
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.
Finding light for Creeping Jenny in your home
Creeping Jenny love being close to bright, sunny windows .
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Creeping Jenny does not tolerate low-light .
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Creeping Jenny in your home .
How to Grow Creeping Jenny
FAQ
Can I bring Creeping Jenny indoors?
You can also take the container indoors, as creeping Jenny grows well as a houseplant. Just be sure to give it a cooler spot in the winter.
What are the cons of Creeping Jenny?
The main problem most people have with creeping Jenny is that it spreads. It is considered an invasive plant in many places and may not be available at your local nurseries.
What to plant with Creeping Jenny indoors?
- Rockapulco® Red Impatiens walleriana.
- Charmed® Wine Oxalis triangularis.
- Goldilocks Lysimachia nummularia.
- Asparagus densiflorous ‘sprengeri’
How do you propagate Creeping Jenny indoors?
Another method for propagating creeping jenny: Make 2-inch stem tip cuttings just below a leaf or bud. Dip them in rooting hormone and put them in moist potting soil. Cover them with clear plastic and keep them in bright, indirect light until they root.
Can creeping jenny grow in containers indoors?
Yes, creeping jenny can grow in containers indoors. This plant is super adaptable in different environments. They can grow and spread in your house. Generally, when creeping jenny grows outside, it spreads over the ground. But when you keep the plant indoors in a container, it will grow downwards from the container.
Is creeping jenny a good plant?
Creeping jenny is a flowering plant with oval leaves. So, this plant will be excellent for your house. Generally, creeping jenny creeps and spreads through the ground. But if you grow it in a container, this plant will creep and cascade down from the container. So, creeping jenny will look aesthetic if you hang it from somewhere.
Can creeping jenny grow in shade?
Creeping jenny can tolerate most light conditions. So, the plant might grow in full sun and a shaded area. But this plant likes partially shaded areas or moderate sunlight. If you keep it inside your house, keep the plant in a partially shaded area.
Can creeping jenny be planted outside?
In some states, such as Massachusetts, Virginia, and Indiana, creeping jenny should not be planted because it forms dense mats and outcompetes native plants, especially in wetland areas. Outdoors, in places where invasive spread is not a concern (In the South and the Southwest, mostly), it can be grown as a ground cover.
How do you plant creeping jenny?
When planting creeping Jenny, choose a location with moist and slightly acidic soil. Keep in mind that these plants will grow in almost any light exposure from full sun to shade, but the foliage of the cultivars will be the most golden in full sun, and greener in the shade.
How tall do creeping jenny plants grow?
Each creeping Jenny plant will grow like a mat, only rising to 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) in height. Creeping Jenny in a bed looks great as a groundcover for this reason, but in a container, it can look a little flat. Combine it in a pot with taller-growing plants for contrast.