Lysimachia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 30th Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Lysimachia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Lysimachia species provide vibrant flowers that often brighten up garden spaces. Their diverse growth habits range from trailing to upright.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: These plants flourish in well-drained soils. While some prefer full sun, others thrive in partial shade.
- General Care: Water regularly but avoid overwatering. Deadhead spent flowers to promote further blooming.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Loosestrife is adaptable and suits both beginners and seasoned gardeners. While it's a relatively low-maintenance plant, ensure it is not allowed to overcrowd other plants in your garden. As it is invasive in some parts, be sure to check local regulations before growing in your garden.
Creeping Charlie, Creeping Jenny, Yellow Loosestrife, and Moneywort: Cultivation & Garden Use
Members of the Lysimachia plant genus are usually upright hardy perennials. They usually reach from 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 feet) in height. Some species are low growing, reaching only 7 cm (3 inches) in height.
Lysimachia have lance or rounded shaped leaves. They bloom in the summer.
Depending on the individual species of Lysimachia, there is much variation in the flower type: ranging from small stellar shaped yellow flowers through to clusters of white flowers.
Commonly Grown Lysimachia Species
Lysimachia nummularia
Lysimachia nummularia (Moneywort / Creeping Jenny / Twopenny Grass), photograph by Andreas Rockstein; CC.
Lysimachia punctata
Lysimachia punctata (Dotted Loosestrife / Large Yellow Loosestrife / Circle Flower), photograph by Tim Green; CC.
Lysimachia clethroides
Lysimachia clethroides (Gooseneck Loosestrife), picture by Alex van Essen; CC.
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Lysimachia Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Creeping Charlie, Creeping Jenny, Loosestrife, Herb Twopence, Moneywort.Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 3 to 60 inches (8 to 150 cm).
Family: Primulaceae.
Native: Europe. Asia. North America.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: Yellow, white. Small. Star-shaped. Whorls. Clusters.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Lanceolate to oval. Green, yellow, olive, purple.
Sow Outside: Surface. Germination time: one to three months. Seeds should be sown flats in the autumn. Sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering.
Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist and to check if seedlings have emerged.
After the seedlings have started to produce trails transplant them to their final location, at a distance of 16 to 20 (40 to 50 cm) apart.
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade (especially if soil is quite dry). Moist soil. Regular watering to maintain soil moisture. Cut back to the ground in autumn.
Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas, or the autumn in warmer areas.
Miscellaneous: Can become an invasive in the right conditions, control by removing new suckers or pulling up.
Named after a former king of Syria (Lysimachus) who pacified a crazy Ox by feeding it a Lysimachia plant.
The plant is attractive to many Lepidoptera members, including Dot moths and Angle shades.
How to Grow Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia Plants)
It is best to start growing Creeping Jenny and other Lysimachia outdoors from seeds in flats.
Sow the seed on the surface in the autumn. Next, sink the flat into a completely shaded part of the garden, and cover with glass.
It should take from one to three months for Lysimachia Creeping Jenny to germinate.
Once the seedlings of Lysimachia have grown large enough that they are beginning to trail, they can be transplanted into either a partially shaded or sunny part of the garden.
It is best to space Creeping Lysimachia species about 50 cm (20 inches) apart. They prefer to grow in a moist soil.
Caring for Creeping Jenny in the Garden
Once growing, Creeping Jenny pretty much looks after itself, so long as the soil is moist. In fact you may need to control it to stop it taking over the garden!
In the autumn Lysimachia species should be cut back to ground level.
If you do require to propagate more plants, then they should be divided in the spring in cold areas or in the summer in warmer areas.
Common Questions
How many members does the Lysimachia genus have?
The Lysimachia genus contains about 180 species, including various types of Loosestrife and Moneywort.
Do members of Lysimachia make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Lysimachia can make a beautiful addition to gardens or landscapes. However, some species can be invasive and may need control measures.
Which Lysimachia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny), Lysimachia punctata (Yellow Loosestrife), and Lysimachia clethroides (Gooseneck Loosestrife) are commonly grown.
Are members of the Lysimachia plant genus fragrant?
While Lysimachia species are not typically known for their fragrance, they are valued for their bright, often yellow flowers and attractive foliage.
What is the perfect location to grow Lysimachia?
Lysimachia plants prefer full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. They can be used in a variety of locations, including water edges, beds, and hanging baskets.
Is Lysimachia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Some Lysimachia species can be invasive. For example, Lysimachia nummularia is invasive in many parts of the US, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest.
How do I remove Lysimachia plants from my garden?
Control of invasive Lysimachia involves diligent hand-pulling or digging up the plants, being careful to remove all of the roots.
Summary
The Lysimachia genus, belonging to the Primulaceae family, consists of annual, biennial, and perennial plants native to temperate and subtropical regions. Known for their star-shaped flowers and creeping growth habit, these plants are often used in borders, ground cover, and water gardens.
Lysimachia enjoys full sun to partial shade and well-drained to moist soil. Regular watering is necessary for optimal growth. Propagation is typically achieved through seeds, division, or cuttings, generally performed in the spring.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Lysimachia plants. You may enjoy the following growing guides: Growing Mung Beans, How to grow Primrose, and the Cyclamen plant.
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