Lysimachia
( lye - sih - MAK - ee - ah )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis variable genus of vigorous perennials is commonly called Creeping Jenny or Loosestrife, and needs full sun to partial shade and moderate to regular water. Most need to be watched closely to ensure they don't invade nearby spaces, but they are great for naturalizing in woodland areas or barely maintained areas. Flowers are either yellow or white and for the most part appear in summertime. Plant Lysimachia in moist borders or beds, in bog gardens, around pools or ponds, or in wild or woodland landscapes. Low-growing species can make good groundcovers in low- to no-traffic areas. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as ingestion of plant parts can cause mild stomach upset.
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Lysimachia Species and Varietals
Lysimachia is a genus in the plant family Primulaceae and includes around 182 distinct species. The best growing zones for Lysimachia vary depending on the species. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Lysimachia arvensis (Anagalis arvensis) (Scarlet Pimpernel, Red Pimpernel, Red Chickweed, Poor Man's Barometer, Poor Man's Weather Glass, Shepherd's Weather Glass, Shepherd's Clock) This species forms a low-growing annual with small green leaves and red to orange flowers, often with darker centers. There is a blue form that has true blue flowers with magenta centers. It is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. It has naturalized worldwide, and is considered a weed in many locales. Individual plants reach up to a few inches tall and stems can reach up to a foot long. Flowers open only when the sun shines, hence many of its common names. |
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Lysimachia ciliata (Fringed Loosestrife) This species is best in zones 1-9 and 14-21, and is native to the northeastern United States. It forms an erect clump 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with narrow green leaves. Flowers are yellow with red-brown centers. Variety 'Firecracker' is similar to the species but has reddish-purple leaves. |
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Lysimachia clethroides (Gooseneck Loosestrife) This species, best in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-24, is native to China, Japan, and Korea. It reaches 3 feet tall and and spreads a bit wider. Stems have olive green leaves and support spikes of tiny white flowers. These are long-lasting additions to cut arrangements. |
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Lysimachia congestiflora (Golden Globes Loosestrife, Creeping Jenny) Best in zones 8, 9, 14-24, H1 and H2, and native to China, this species forms a mat of foliage 4 inches tall and a foot wide. Leaves are ovular and green, and flowers are yellow and upturned. Variety 'Outback Sunset' has red-tinged leaves with yellow variegation and yellow flowers with red centers. |
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Lysimachia ephemerum (Willow-Leaved Loosestrife) Best in zones 2b-10 and 14-24. This species is native to southwestern areas of Europe and has leathery gray green leaves that form a 3 foot high, 1 foot wide clump of foliage. Clusters of white flowers are long-lasting. This species is not considered invasive. |
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Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny, Moneywort) This species does well in zones 1-9 and 14-24 and is native to Europe. It reaches 4-8 inches tall and spreads to 2 feet wide. This plant forms an attractive mat of light green foliage. Flowers are yellow. This is best used in containers or in corners where it has natural restraints. Great in hanging baskets and for spilling over walls and containers. Varieties include 'Aurea' (with bright gold-yellow leaves), and 'Goldilocks' (with yellow-green foliage). Take care when planting, this species is invasive in Michigan, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Oregon, Virginia, West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Maryland. |
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Lysimachia punctata (Loosestrife) This plant does well in zones 1-9 and 14-24, and is native to central Europe and Asia Minor. It grows to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, spreading via underground rhizomes. Leaves are narrow and green, born in whorls on stems. Whorled flower clusters appear towards stem tips. Varieties include 'Alexander' (with cream-edged leaves to 2-3 feet tall and wide), and 'Golden Alexander' (to 2 feet tall and wide, with yellow edging on leaves. |
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Caring for Lysimachia
Lysimachia, or Loosestrife, performs best in full sun to partial shade. The amount of sunlight these plants need depends on the species grown; make sure to read all growing information before purchasing plants. Ideally, they need at least 6 hours a day of sunlight, with some afternoon shade during the warmest hours of the day. Leaves on some species will change in color according to the amount of sunlight they receive. Creeping Jenny, for example, is golden-yellow in full sun and chartreuse-green in partial shade. These plants need soil that is well-draining, moderately fertile, and that has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water newly planted Lysimachias regularly to help them develop strong root systems. At maturity, they appreciate consistently moist soils, and can be grown in depressed areas of the garden or along riverbanks. Do not let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Mulch around the base of plants to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain constant soil temperatures. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Lysimachia plants is simple: remove spent blooms and any unsightly foliage. These plants bounce back well from pruning. Late in the season, plants can have a tendency to get leggy, especially if they are grown in too much shade. Plants can be cut down to about four inches tall at this point, and a flush of new growth and flowering will be triggered.
Mulch around the base of plants to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain constant soil temperatures. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Lysimachia plants is simple: remove spent blooms and any unsightly foliage. These plants bounce back well from pruning. Late in the season, plants can have a tendency to get leggy, especially if they are grown in too much shade. Plants can be cut down to about four inches tall at this point, and a flush of new growth and flowering will be triggered.
Propagation
Lysimachia can be propagated by cutting, division or by seed. Simply follow the instructions below to propagate your Loosestrife plants.
Propagating Lysimachia by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants, and can be done in spring or fall. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate, as they need to be divided every few years to keep them healthy; otherwise, the roots will become too crowded. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw or scissors, extra pots, and well-draining soil to fill the pots. To propagate your Loosestrife by division, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Lysimachia by Cutting
The best time to take cuttings from an existing plant is in spring or summer. To propagate by cutting, you'll need clean, sharpened garden shears, potting mix (one part compost, two parts sand and a little limestone added in), a pot (or pots, depending on how many cuttings you'll be taking), rooting hormone and a pencil. Once you've gathered your materials, follow these instructions:
Propagating Lysimachia by Seed
Before trying this method, keep in mind that propagation by seed does not ensure that you will end up with the exact same plant as you harvested the seed from. If you are looking for an exact clone of the parent plant, propagate your Lysimachia by division or cutting. To complete this propagation method, you will need to allow the flowers to stay on the plant long enough to come to seed, so do not completely deadhead all of your flowers. Seeds will be mature and ready to harvest in summer or fall, when the flowers have dried and are brown in color. Cut the flower heads off of your plant at this time, and take the seeds out of their pods. To grow Loosestrife from seed, follow these directions:
Propagating Lysimachia by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants, and can be done in spring or fall. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate, as they need to be divided every few years to keep them healthy; otherwise, the roots will become too crowded. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw or scissors, extra pots, and well-draining soil to fill the pots. To propagate your Loosestrife by division, follow the instructions below:
- Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
- Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there are at least three 'shoots' per segment.
- Fill your pot(s) with potting soil and water to ensure that they are draining well. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground the following summer.
Propagating Lysimachia by Cutting
The best time to take cuttings from an existing plant is in spring or summer. To propagate by cutting, you'll need clean, sharpened garden shears, potting mix (one part compost, two parts sand and a little limestone added in), a pot (or pots, depending on how many cuttings you'll be taking), rooting hormone and a pencil. Once you've gathered your materials, follow these instructions:
- Choose an Lysimachia plant to propagate. It should be a healthy plant, with new growth and should get some water the night before you take your cutting. Pick a healthy stem tip that has about three or four buds on it and make a 6-inch cutting. Cut quickly and evenly to take the healthiest cutting possible.
- Add potting medium to your pot, and give it some water, ensuring that it has good drainage. Make a hole with your pencil in the medium, about two inches down. Dip your cutting in rooting hormone and place it in the hole. Fill in soil around it. Pat down just enough so the cutting stands up by itself. Give it some water.
- Keep the soil around your plant somewhat moist as it grows, and ensure that it is in a place that gets bright indirect light and stays at a temperature of between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the danger of frost has passed the next spring, you can transplant your cutting to its final home outdoors.
Propagating Lysimachia by Seed
Before trying this method, keep in mind that propagation by seed does not ensure that you will end up with the exact same plant as you harvested the seed from. If you are looking for an exact clone of the parent plant, propagate your Lysimachia by division or cutting. To complete this propagation method, you will need to allow the flowers to stay on the plant long enough to come to seed, so do not completely deadhead all of your flowers. Seeds will be mature and ready to harvest in summer or fall, when the flowers have dried and are brown in color. Cut the flower heads off of your plant at this time, and take the seeds out of their pods. To grow Loosestrife from seed, follow these directions:
- Gather your materials. You will need a pot or seed tray, a spray bottle filled with water and potting soil.
- If you are growing just a few seeds, you can use a pot, though if you are growing more than just a few, use a growing tray. Prepare your pot or growing tray by filling it with potting soil.
- Place your seeds on top of the potting mix, spaced about 4- 6 inches apart. Sprinkle potting medium over the top until the seeds are covered. As the seeds are starting out, it is best to use a spray bottle to add moisture to avoid uncovering their light soil topping. Keep the soil moist as the seeds develop, using a seed tray cover or plastic to cover your pot to keep moisture in and humidity high.
- Continue to monitor for moisture and adequate soil covering until the seeds start to sprout, which should take less than a month, and pot up when they begin to outgrow their containers. Once the chance of frost has passed by, seedlings can be transplanted to a sunny area of the garden in the following spring. Keep the soil moist as the plant develops and enjoy watching your Lysimachia spread.
Lysimachia fruits will dry up and turn brown when seeds are mature.
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Lysimachia seeds are very small, and are typically brown to dark brown in color.
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Problems and Pests
Lysimachia plants, though typically considered to be resilient, are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the garden:
- Aphids
- Thrips
- Slugs and Snails
- Powdery Mildew
- Rust
- Leaf Spot
Gallery
Lysimachia planted en masse in a border bed.
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Lysimachia plants provide food for pollinators in this yard.
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Creeping Jenny makes a great groundcover for in between pavers.
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Lysimachia clethroides, or Gooseneck Loosestrife, produces interesting inflorescences of white blooms.
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Lysimachia as a groundcover.
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Golden Globe alongside Petunias create a colorful potted arrangement.
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Videos
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Creeping Jenny can be used as a groundcover.
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Learn all about Gooseneck Loosestrife.
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How to remove the invasive Gooseneck Loosestrife.
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All about Purple Loosestrife.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 425, Lysimachia
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