Creeping-jenny
Lysimachia nummularia
Last reviewed: June 2026
Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping-jenny) is a low-growing vine native to North Carolina that produces bright yellow flowers from June through August. This adaptable groundcover thrives in partial shade to shade with medium to high moisture conditions.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
2"–6" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
NC
Pollinators
bees
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Creeping jenny is a low-growing groundcover that forms a dense mat of small, rounded bright green leaves. It produces cheerful yellow cup-shaped flowers in summer and spreads readily to fill in areas quickly. This plant works well for covering bare spots or cascading over edges.
Growing Creeping-jenny
Grow Creeping-jenny in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 2 to 6 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Creeping-jenny takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Spreads aggressively and can escape into lawns
- May be viewed as invasive groundcover
- Can look sparse or patchy in winter
Wildlife value
The summer flowers attract bees and other small pollinators. The dense mat provides shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife.
Common questions
- When does Creeping-jenny bloom?
- Lysimachia nummularia blooms from June through August, producing small bright yellow flowers throughout the summer months.
- What pollinators visit Creeping-jenny?
- Bees are the primary pollinators of Lysimachia nummularia, attracted to its yellow summer flowers for nectar and pollen.
- Where is Creeping-jenny native?
- Lysimachia nummularia is native to North Carolina and other southeastern states, where it naturally occurs in moist, partially shaded areas.
- What growing conditions does Creeping-jenny prefer?
- This vine grows best in partial shade to shade with medium to high moisture levels, making it ideal for wet areas where other groundcovers struggle.
- Is Creeping-jenny HOA-friendly?
- Creeping-jenny takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Creeping-jenny? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz