Propagating Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny) from Cuttings

Beginner-friendly guide to propagating the hardy round-leaved stem plant Lysimachia nummularia (creeping jenny) by topping and node rooting in tropical or temperate tanks.

Overview

Lysimachia nummularia, known as creeping jenny or moneywort, is a vigorous prostrate perennial native to Europe with rounded, coin-shaped leaves; the epithet nummularia means "like a coin." In the wild it spreads by stem-rooting across the ground and is hardy down to about -15 C. The popular golden 'Aurea' cultivar carries yellow foliage and is a little less aggressive than the wild type.

Although primarily a pond and terrestrial plant, it adapts well to submerged aquarium life and tolerates both tropical and cooler temperate setups, making it one of the most undemanding stem plants to multiply by cuttings.

Propagation Method (Cuttings)

Propagation is very simple: top a stem and replant it, or simply top it and let the base regrow. The plant roots easily, often producing aerial roots, and a stem left floating will branch at nearly every node. Because creeping jenny roots readily at its nodes, even pieces with a couple of internodes will establish.

Step-by-Step

1. Pick a healthy stem with firm, well-coloured round leaves.
2. Cut the top 5-10 cm, or any section with a few nodes.
3. Strip the leaves from the lowest 2-3 cm of the cutting.
4. Push the bare nodes into the substrate, where roots will form.
5. Alternatively float the cutting until it branches, then plant the shoots.
6. Leave the parent base to keep growing and branching.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

Creeping jenny grows well in non-CO2, moderately lit aquariums, tolerating soft or hard water, a pH of roughly 6.0-8.0 and temperatures around 15-25 C. It is even easier and more colourful, showing the golden tones of the 'Aurea' form, under high light with added CO2 and steady nitrate and trace fertilisation. It is an excellent indicator plant for nitrate, looking full and bright only when needs above about 5 ppm are met.

Trimming & Maintenance

As a fast grower it benefits from frequent trimming, roughly weekly, to keep it dense and stop it reaching the surface. Topping is both the trimming and the propagation method, so every cut produces replantable shoots. When it grows emersed or marginal, removing all stems and fragments prevents unwanted regrowth, since fragments root readily.

Common Challenges

The main issues are stretched, sparse growth and faded colour when light or nutrients are low, and a tendency to shoot straight up and break the surface rather than branch sideways. Its vigour and easy rooting also mean stray fragments can spread, so trimmings should be removed rather than left loose.