Goldilocks Creeping Jenny

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-4 Inches

Mature Spread

12-14 Inches

Growing Zones

3 to 11

Primarily grown for its foliage, Goldilocks Creeping Jenny is a wonderfully vigorous creeping perennial that is hardy in most areas of every state in the United States. Although it rarely flowers in North America, it has primrose-like yellow flowers. It is a low growing spreading plant that adores wetlands and pond edges. Care should be taken when introducing this plant to sensitive areas and it is on the invasive species list in many states. It cannot be shipped to or sold in the state of Massachusetts.

Native to Europe and temperate regions of Asia, Zones 3a through 10b, it is a tender perennial in colder regions. It can die back but may return each year on roots that survive throughout the winter. It is prized for its chartreuse foliage and is easiest to maintain when used as a foundation of container plantings where it will spill over the edge quite attractively.

Goldilocks Creeping Jenny Care

Until fully established, take care to provide Goldilocks plenty of moist well draining soil with an average pH of 5.8 to 6.2. It requires the occasional feeding when planted in your landscape and a regular monthly feeding when in containers. It is rarely bothered by insects and deer won’t browse on it. It performs best when planted in full sun, but enjoys light shade in extremely hot regions.

Deadheading is not necessary as this plant self cleans its spent blooms when it does blossom. It rarely needs pruning when planted in containers, but if you plant in your landscape or garden bed, you may have to trim it back to control its growth. It can spread on rhizomes aggressively, and may root wherever the stems touch the ground, making this hard to eradicate in areas it really thrives in. The golden cultivars of creeping jenny are less likely to become too aggressive.

Goldilocks Creeping Jenny Spacing

Space this plant 12 to 14 inches apart to support its creeping habit. Place it on the edge of your container to add a beautiful cascading feature, or plant it alone in a container and watch it spill over the edge creating a beautiful display. Its chartreuse green color contrasts wonderfully with other intense flower and foliage colors.