How to Kill Creeping Jenny in Your Lawn

Creeping Jenny is a native British wildflower that becomes a troublesome weed when it invades lawns. Its trailing stems spread rapidly across damp ground, rooting at every leaf node to form dense mats that smother grass. The cheerful yellow flowers that appear in summer do little to compensate for the damage this aggressive groundcover causes to turf. Check our UK weed guide to identify similar creeping lawn invaders.

Also known as moneywort, herb twopence and wandering Jenny, Lysimachia nummularia thrives in the moist, shady conditions where grass struggles most. Once established in a lawn, it requires persistent effort to control, as any stem fragments left behind will root and regrow.

Identifying Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny is a low-growing evergreen perennial reaching just 5cm in height but spreading indefinitely through its rooting stems. The stems grow up to 60cm long, branching frequently as they trail across the ground.

The leaves are the key identification feature. They’re rounded or slightly heart-shaped, about 2cm across, arranged in opposite pairs along the stems. The shape resembles old coins, giving rise to common names like moneywort and herb twopence. Leaves are mid-green, smooth and slightly glossy.

Bright yellow cup-shaped flowers appear from June to August, arising singly from leaf axils along the stems. Each flower measures about 2cm across with five petals, sometimes showing small reddish dots. However, creeping Jenny doesn’t always flower, and in lawns the regular mowing often prevents blooming entirely.

The golden-leaved cultivar ‘Aurea’ is commonly sold in garden centres for ornamental use. It’s less aggressive than the wild green form but can still escape into lawns from nearby plantings.

Don’t confuse creeping Jenny with ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), which is sometimes called creeping Charlie. Ground ivy has scalloped leaf edges and blue-violet flowers, while creeping Jenny has smooth-edged round leaves and yellow flowers.

Why It Thrives in Lawns

Creeping Jenny favours exactly the conditions where grass grows weakly. It thrives in damp, shady areas with poor drainage, spreading vigorously where turf thins and struggles.

The plant’s spreading habit gives it a competitive advantage. Stems root at every node where they contact soil, rapidly building a network of interconnected plants. Even when mowing removes the top growth, the rooted portions survive and regenerate.

In the UK, creeping Jenny rarely produces viable seed. It spreads almost entirely through vegetative growth, with stem fragments capable of establishing new plants wherever they land. This makes it particularly problematic in lawns, where mowing can scatter pieces across the turf.

Infestations typically start in a damp corner or shaded area, then spread outwards into healthier grass. By the time the problem becomes obvious, the plant has usually established an extensive root network beneath the lawn surface.

Chemical Control

Unlike mind-your-own-business, creeping Jenny does respond to selective lawn weedkillers. Products containing 2,4-D, MCPA, dicamba or mecoprop can provide control, though multiple applications are usually needed.

Apply selective herbicide when creeping Jenny is actively growing, typically from April to September. Ensure thorough coverage of all foliage. The weed’s low growth habit means spray can miss leaves hidden beneath grass, so a second application two to four weeks later improves results.

Expect to treat over two seasons for complete eradication. The extensive root network and ability to regenerate from fragments means some plants will survive initial treatment. Persistent follow-up catches regrowth before it can re-establish.

For severe infestations where grass has already been largely displaced, consider using glyphosate to clear the area completely before reseeding or turfing. This is more effective than trying to rescue a lawn that’s mostly creeping Jenny.

Physical Removal

Hand pulling works for small infestations if you’re thorough. The shallow root system makes plants easy to lift, but you must remove every stem fragment to prevent regrowth.

Work when soil is moist, carefully tracing stems back to their origin points. Follow the creeping stems in all directions, lifting the entire network rather than just pulling visible portions. Any piece left in the soil will root and grow.

For larger areas, use a sharp spade to skim off the top layer of soil containing the weed, similar to the approach for mind-your-own-business. This removes stems and roots together, reducing the chance of leaving fragments behind.

After removal, fork over the bare soil and reseed or turf. Monitor the area closely for several months, removing any regrowth immediately before it can spread.

Avoid using a hoe or rotavator, as these chop stems into pieces and spread the problem rather than solving it.

Cultural Control

Improving conditions for grass reduces creeping Jenny’s competitive advantage and helps prevent reinfestation after control measures.

Address shade where possible. Prune overhanging trees and shrubs to increase light reaching the lawn. Creeping Jenny tolerates deeper shade than most grasses, so any improvement in light levels favours the turf.

Improve drainage in persistently damp areas. Aerate compacted soil, top-dress with sharp sand, or consider installing drainage if waterlogging is severe. Creeping Jenny loves moisture, while waterlogged grass weakens and dies.

Maintain healthy turf through proper mowing, feeding and overseeding. Thick, vigorous grass competes more effectively against creeping weeds. Raise the mowing height slightly in shaded areas to give grass a better chance.

Avoid introducing creeping Jenny from other parts of the garden. Check any plants you move for signs of the weed in their root balls, and clean tools after working in affected areas.

Prevention

If you grow ornamental creeping Jenny in borders or containers, site it carefully to prevent escape into lawns. The golden ‘Aurea’ form is less aggressive but can still spread where conditions suit it.

Create physical barriers between ornamental plantings and lawn areas. Buried edging at least 10cm deep helps prevent stems creeping across, though determined plants may eventually find a way around.

Remove any creeping Jenny appearing at lawn edges before it can establish. Early intervention when plants are small prevents the extensive infestations that require major control efforts.

In new gardens, check turf and topsoil for creeping Jenny before laying. The weed sometimes arrives in contaminated materials and establishes before you realise it’s present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will lawn weedkiller kill creeping Jenny?

Yes, selective herbicides containing 2,4-D, MCPA, dicamba or mecoprop can control creeping Jenny. Multiple applications over two seasons are usually needed for complete eradication due to the plant’s ability to regenerate from root fragments.

Is creeping Jenny the same as creeping Charlie?

No. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) has round smooth-edged leaves and yellow flowers. Creeping Charlie is another name for ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), which has scalloped leaves and blue-violet flowers. Both are lawn weeds but they’re different plants requiring similar but not identical treatment.

Why does creeping Jenny grow in my lawn?

Creeping Jenny thrives in damp, shady conditions where grass struggles. It typically starts in problem areas then spreads into healthier turf. Improving drainage and increasing light reduces the conditions that favour this weed.

Can I just mow it away?

No. Mowing removes top growth but the rooted stems survive and regrow. Worse, mowing can scatter stem fragments across the lawn, spreading the infestation. You need herbicide treatment or thorough physical removal to control creeping Jenny.

How long does it take to get rid of creeping Jenny?

Expect at least two growing seasons of persistent treatment. The extensive root network and ability to regenerate from fragments means some plants survive initial control efforts. Regular monitoring and prompt treatment of regrowth is essential for success.

Creeping Jenny’s attractive appearance makes it easy to underestimate as a lawn weed. But its aggressive spreading habit and ability to regenerate from tiny fragments make it a serious problem once established. Early intervention and persistent follow-up offer the best chance of control. For more lawn weed advice, see our guides to daisies, buttercup in lawns, speedwell and pearlwort.