Golden moneywort, scientifically known as Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, is a popular herbaceous perennial groundcover often called Creeping Jenny. It is favored for its bright, year-round color and vigorous growth habit, providing a dense, low-maintenance mat of foliage. Its ability to quickly cover bare soil and cascade gracefully makes it a common choice for gardeners seeking a vibrant, golden accent.
Identifying Features and Environmental Needs
The plant is easily recognized by its small, rounded leaves, which resemble tiny coins, leading to its botanical name nummularia. These leaves are arranged oppositely along the creeping stems and present a striking golden-yellow hue when exposed to adequate sunlight. It forms a dense, low mat, typically reaching a height of only two to four inches. Small, solitary, cup-shaped yellow flowers occasionally appear along the stems in early to mid-summer.
Achieving the characteristic brassy gold foliage requires adequate light exposure. While golden moneywort tolerates partial shade, the leaves will shift to a lighter chartreuse or lime-green color in less sunny conditions. In northern climates, full sun is generally suitable for the best color intensity. However, in hotter southern regions, the plant benefits from some afternoon shade to prevent scorching. The plant has a high moisture requirement and grows best in consistently moist, well-draining soil, thriving even in boggy or waterside conditions.
Planting Methods and Ongoing Maintenance
Golden moneywort can be established easily from nursery stock or by propagating cuttings. Since the plant readily forms roots where its stems touch the soil, stem sections with existing nodes can be cut and transplanted directly into the ground. For optimal coverage, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 to 18 inches apart, allowing the runners to quickly fill in the gaps. Early spring is the best time for planting, allowing the root system to establish before the summer growing season.
Consistent watering is the most important aspect of ongoing maintenance, as the plant will quickly wilt if the soil is allowed to dry out completely. A slow-release granular fertilizer applied once in the spring can support healthy, dense growth, especially in nutrient-poor soils. Light, routine pruning can be performed throughout the growing season to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage branching.
Strategies for Controlling Spread
The plant’s vigorous nature, where trailing stems root at every leaf node they encounter, means it can spread rapidly and potentially overwhelm neighboring plants. Planting golden moneywort in containers, hanging baskets, or raised beds completely eliminates the risk of its runners rooting into the surrounding landscape. If planting directly into the ground, physical barriers, such as non-porous edging material installed deep into the soil, can help restrict the spread of its shallow rhizomes. For established areas, manual removal is the most effective method, requiring diligent pulling up of the entire plant, including all attached stems and roots, to prevent regrowth.