Container Grown Creeping Jenny: Caring For Creeping Jenny In A Pot
Creeping Jenny is a versatile ornamental plant that provides pretty foliage that “creeps” along and spreads to fill in spaces. It can be aggressive and invasive, though, so growing creeping Jenny in a pot is a great way to enjoy this perennial without letting it take over the whole garden or flower bed.
About Creeping Jenny Plants
This is a trailing, or creeping, herbaceous perennial that produces waxy, small round leaves on thin stems. It is hardy in zones 3 through 9 and includes several cultivars of Lysimachia nummularia. Native to Europe, some of the varieties are more aggressive than others and can be considered invasive. In addition to the pretty leaves, creeping Jenny produces small, cupped yellow flowers beginning in early summer and continuing intermittently through the fall. The green variety is more invasive, but the color of the flowers looks nice contrasted with the green leaves. The golden variety is not as aggressive, but the flowers are less conspicuous. Potted creeping Jenny is a great alternative to putting these plants in the ground, where they can quickly get out of control.
Container Grown Creeping Jenny
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. Another great use for creeping Jenny in a container is to create a vine-like effect in a hanging pot. Creeping Jenny grows readily and quickly, so plant them 12 to 18 inches (31-46 cm.) apart. Provide a location that is sunny or only has partial shade. The more shade it gets, the greener the leaves will be. These plants like moist soil too, so water regularly and ensure good drainage in the container. Any basic potting soil is adequate. With its vigorous growth and spreading, don’t be afraid to trim creeping Jenny back as needed. Be sure to take care when cleaning out pots at the end of the season as dumping this plant in the yard or in a bed can lead to invasive growth next year. 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.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Mary Ellen Ellis has been gardening for over 20 years. With degrees in Chemistry and Biology, Mary Ellen's specialties are flowers, native plants, and herbs.
-
Planting Perennials In Fall: How To Ensure New Shrubs And Flowers Thrive
Fall is the perfect time to get a head start on your garden goals by planting many perennial varieties. Come spring time, they will be raring to go.
By Tonya Barnett
-
Blue Flowers For Native Gardens: 7 Native Blue Flowers To Grow
Blue might not seem like the sort of color that crops up regularly in a native garden, but you’d be amazed! Here we round up the loveliest native blue flowers you can try
By Tonya Barnett
-
Creeping Jenny Control: What Is The Best Way To Manage Creeping Jenny
Unless you specifically want it as groundcover in a spot where nothing else grows, you should work on controlling creeping jenny as soon as you spot it. Learn more about how to get rid of creeping jenny in the garden with tips from this article.
By Liz Baessler
-
Growing Creeping Jenny: Growing Information And Care Of Creeping Jenny Ground Cover
Creeping jenny plant is an evergreen perennial plant belonging to the Primulaceae family. For those looking for information on how to grow creeping jenny in the landscape, this article will help.
By Susan Patterson