Tips To Propagate Creeping Jenny

Looking to add more of that beautiful, cascading green and gold to your garden? Learning the tips to propagate creeping jenny is a simple and rewarding way to do it. This vigorous grower is one of the easiest plants to multiply, saving you money and letting you fill pots, baskets, and ground cover areas for free.

Whether you have a friend with a plant to share or you want to expand your own, this guide walks you through every step. You’ll be surprised at how straightforward it is.

These core principles will set you up for success. Creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a resilient perennial that roots readily from stem pieces. The best time to start is in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing, but you can have success well into fall. You only need a few basic supplies: a sharp, clean knife or scissors, small pots or containers, and a simple potting mix.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Gathering your materials first makes the process smooth. You don’t need anything fancy.

Healthy creeping jenny plant
Clean scissors, pruners, or a sharp knife
Small pots or seed trays with drainage holes
Well-draining potting mix (a standard mix is fine)
Watering can or spray bottle
Optional: Rooting hormone powder or gel
Optional: Clear plastic bag or dome for humidity

Choosing the Best Stems to Cut

Your success begins with selecting the right cuttings. Look for vigorous, healthy stems that are not flowering. Flowering stems put energy into blooms instead of roots.

Pick stems that are 4 to 6 inches long.
Choose pieces with a vibrant green or gold color, avoiding any that look yellowed or weak.
Ensure the stem has several leaf nodes (the little bumps where leaves grow from). This is where roots will form.

Step-by-Step Propagation in Soil

This is the most common and often most succesful method. It skips the water step and lets the cutting root directly where it will grow.

Prepare your pots by filling them with moist potting mix.
Take your cutting. Using your clean tools, snip a 4-6 inch stem tip. Make the cut just below a leaf node.
Remove the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the stem. This bare section will go under the soil.
Optional: Dip the bare stem end into rooting hormone. This can speed up root growth but isn’t strictly necessary for creeping jenny.
Poke a hole in the soil with a pencil or your finger. Insert the bare stem section into the hole, ensuring at least one or two nodes are buried. Gently firm the soil around it.
Water the pot gently to settle the soil around the cutting. Place the pot in a bright spot out of direct, hot sunlight.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. In a few weeks, give a very gentle tug; if you feel resistance, roots have formed.

Step-by-Step Propagation in Water

This method is fascinating because you can watch the roots grow. It’s a great project to do with kids.

Take your cuttings as described above, removing lower leaves.
Place the cuttings in a jar or glass of room-temperature water. Only the leafless stem should be submerged; keep the leaves dry.
Put the jar in a bright, indirect light location. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and oxygenated.
In 1-2 weeks, you should see white roots beginning to sprout from the nodes.
Once the roots are an inch or two long, carefully plant the cutting in a small pot with soil. Handle the new roots gently.
Water it well and treat it as a new, delicate plant for the first week or two as it adjusts to soil life.

Dividing an Established Plant

If you have a mature creeping jenny plant in the ground or a large container, division is the quickest way to get new, full plants. The best time for this is early spring.

Water the plant well the day before you plan to divide it.
Gently dig up the entire plant, trying to keep the rootball intact.
Using your hands, a sharp knife, or even two garden forks back-to-back, tease or cut the rootball into smaller sections. Each section should have plenty of roots and healthy stems attached.
Replant the divisions immediately into pots or new garden spots. Water them thoroughly to help settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

Aftercare for Your New Plants

Your new creeping jennys need a little TLC to thrive. They aren’t fussy, but paying attention in the first few weeks ensures strong growth.

Light: Provide bright, indirect light. Once established, creeping jenny tolerates full sun to part shade.
Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially while the roots are developing. Mature plants are somewhat drought tolerant but grow best with regular water.
Feeding: Wait about a month after potting to apply a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer. You don’t need to overfeed this plant.
Pinching: As your plant grows, pinch off the tips of the stems. This encourages bushier, fuller growth instead of long, leggy strands.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes problems arise, but they’re usually easy to fix. Here’s what to watch for.

Cuttings Wilting or Dying

This is often due to too much direct sun or the soil drying out. Move them to a shadier, cooler spot and check moisture daily. A plastic bag tent over the pot can boost humidity and prevent wilting.

No Root Growth

If weeks pass and nothing happens, the cuttings might have been from old, woody stems. Try again with fresher, younger stem tips. Also, ensure your soil isn’t too cold; warmth encourages rooting.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellow leaves can mean overwatering or poor drainage. Make sure your pots have holes and you’re not letting the plant sit in water. It can also indicate a need for a light fertilizer feed once the plant is established.

Creative Uses for Your Propagated Plants

Once you have a bounty of new creeping jenny, the fun begins. Its trailing habit makes it incredibly versatile.

Let it spill over the edges of hanging baskets and mixed containers.
Use it as a fast-growing ground cover in moist, partly shaded areas of the garden.
Plant it in window boxes for a cascade of foliage.
Allow it to trail over walls or rocks for a soft, natural look.
Even grow it indoors in a bright, sunny bathroom where it appreciates the humidity.

FAQ: Your Creeping Jenny Questions Answered

How long does it take for creeping jenny cuttings to root?
In warm conditions, you can see roots in water within 10-14 days. In soil, it may take 2-4 weeks for a strong enough root system to develop.

Can you propagate creeping jenny from just a leaf?
No, successful propagation requires a piece of stem with a node. The roots emerge from the node, not from a leaf itself.

Is creeping jenny invasive?
In some regions, yes, it can spread aggressively in ideal (moist, garden) conditions. It’s important to check your local guidelines and manage its growth in the garden by pulling up unwanted runners. Growing it in containers is a great way to control it.

Why are my propagated plants not as colorful?
The golden varieties often develop their best color in brighter light. If your new plants are in low light, they may appear more green. Move them to a sunnier spot to enhance the gold and yellow tones.

Can I propagate creeping jenny in the fall?
You can, but success rates are higher in spring and summer when growth is fastest. If you try in fall, take cuttings before frost and grow them indoors over winter.

With these simple tips to propagate creeping jenny, you can easily fill your garden with this charming plant. Remember to start with healthy stems, keep them moist, and be patient. Before you know it, you’ll have plenty of new plants to enjoy or share with fellow gardeners.