Creeping Jenny Creeping Charlie: Telling Apart These Common Garden Groundcovers

Dr. Sydni VonRueden 01 Aug 2025

Have you ever looked at a patch of green spreading across your yard and wondered, "Is that Creeping Jenny or Creeping Charlie?" You know, it's a pretty common question for folks who spend time in their gardens. These two plants, while quite different in many ways, often get mixed up because of how they grow. They both like to spread out low to the ground, and that can make them look similar from a distance.

It's really something many gardeners ask about, especially when they're trying to figure out what's growing where. Maybe you're hoping for a pretty groundcover, or perhaps you're just trying to keep things tidy. Knowing which plant you have can make a big difference in how you care for your garden space, or even how you plan to manage it. So, it's a good idea to get to know them a little better.

This article, you know, is all about helping you tell these two ground-hugging plants apart. We'll go over what makes each one unique, how they behave, and what you can do if you have them in your yard. We'll also talk about why people might want one, and why they might want to get rid of the other, more or less. It's pretty helpful information, actually.

What is Creeping Jenny?
- Characteristics of Creeping Jenny
- Uses for Creeping Jenny
What is Creeping Charlie?
- Characteristics of Creeping Charlie
- The Invasive Nature of Creeping Charlie
Key Differences: Creeping Jenny vs. Creeping Charlie
Why They Get Mixed Up
Managing Creeping Jenny in Your Garden
- Planting Creeping Jenny with Care
- Keeping It Contained
Tackling Creeping Charlie: Control Strategies
Benefits and Drawbacks of Each Plant
- Creeping Jenny: The Good and the Not-So-Good
- Creeping Charlie: The Challenge
When to Embrace or Eradicate
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Creeping Jenny?

Creeping Jenny, you know, is a pretty popular plant often seen in gardens. Its scientific name is Lysimachia nummularia. People also call it moneywort, which makes sense because its leaves look a bit like little coins. It's a groundcover plant, meaning it grows low and spreads out, covering the ground. It's native to parts of Europe and Asia, but it's found its way to many other places, too, and is quite common now.

Characteristics of Creeping Jenny

This plant, you see, has round, bright green leaves. Some types even have golden or chartreuse leaves, which are very eye-catching. The leaves are usually small, maybe about the size of a dime or a quarter, and they grow opposite each other on the stem. The stems themselves are long and slender, trailing along the ground or spilling over the sides of pots. They can root wherever they touch the soil, so, you know, it spreads out pretty easily.

In the summer, Creeping Jenny gets small, cup-shaped yellow flowers. These flowers are usually pretty bright, and they appear in the leaf axils, which is where the leaf meets the stem. They add a nice pop of color to the green or golden foliage. It's a rather cheerful looking plant, especially when it's in bloom, and people tend to like that about it.

Uses for Creeping Jenny

Gardeners often use Creeping Jenny as a groundcover. It forms a dense mat that can help keep weeds down. It's also a good choice for planting in rock gardens, along paths, or as a spiller plant in hanging baskets and containers. The way it trails over the edge of a pot is really quite lovely, you know. It likes moist soil and can even grow in wet areas, like around ponds or streams, which is actually pretty useful for some garden spots.

Some people, to be honest, use it for erosion control on slopes because its spreading habit helps hold the soil. It's pretty adaptable and can grow in a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. However, in full sun, its leaves might look a bit more golden, while in more shade, they tend to stay a brighter green. It's a plant that, basically, offers a lot of visual interest.

What is Creeping Charlie?

Now, let's talk about Creeping Charlie. Its scientific name is Glechoma hederacea, and it goes by other names too, like ground ivy or gill-over-the-ground. Unlike Creeping Jenny, which people often plant on purpose, Creeping Charlie is usually seen as a weed. It's native to Europe and Asia, but it's really made itself at home in North America, becoming a common problem in lawns and gardens, you know.

Characteristics of Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie has round to kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped or rounded edges. The leaves are typically a darker green than Creeping Jenny's, and they often have a somewhat crinkled or textured look. They also grow opposite each other on the stems, just like Creeping Jenny, which is one reason people get them mixed up, honestly. The stems are square, which is a pretty key difference, and they creep along the ground, rooting at the nodes, basically allowing it to spread very quickly.

In spring, Creeping Charlie produces small, trumpet-shaped flowers. These flowers are usually purple or blue-violet, and they grow in clusters where the leaves meet the stems. They might be small, but they can cover a patch of the plant, giving it a somewhat purplish haze. The flowers, you know, are pretty tiny, but they're there.

The Invasive Nature of Creeping Charlie

The big thing about Creeping Charlie is its ability to spread and take over. It's considered an invasive weed in many places. It grows very fast, forming dense mats that can choke out desirable lawn grasses and garden plants. It can be a real headache for gardeners because it's so persistent. To be honest, it's pretty good at what it does, which is spreading everywhere.

It thrives in shady, moist areas, but it can also tolerate some sun. Its strong root system and ability to root from every node on its stems make it really hard to get rid of once it's established. This is why, you know, many people spend a lot of time trying to control it in their yards. It's a bit of a challenge, as a matter of fact.

Key Differences: Creeping Jenny vs. Creeping Charlie

So, how do you really tell these two apart? It's all about looking closely at a few key features. Once you know what to look for, it becomes pretty simple, actually. You can easily spot the differences if you just take a moment to examine the plants up close. This is where the real identification happens, you know.

Leaf Shape and Texture

Creeping Jenny: Its leaves are very round, almost perfectly circular, like little coins. They are smooth to the touch and usually a bright green or golden color. The edges are smooth, too, without any scallops or bumps. They just look, you know, pretty clean and simple.
Creeping Charlie: This plant has leaves that are more kidney-shaped or heart-shaped. Their edges are scalloped or have rounded teeth, giving them a somewhat ruffled appearance. The leaves often feel a bit rough or hairy, and they are typically a darker green. So, you know, the texture is quite different.

Flower Color and Appearance

Creeping Jenny: It produces bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers. These flowers are relatively small but quite noticeable against the foliage. They appear singly at the leaf axils. They're pretty cheerful, in a way.
Creeping Charlie: Its flowers are typically purple or blue-violet. They are trumpet-shaped and appear in clusters. They are also quite small, but their color is a clear giveaway. If you see purple flowers on a low-growing plant, it's pretty much Creeping Charlie, honestly.

Stem Structure

Creeping Jenny: The stems are round and smooth. They are quite slender and trail along the ground. You can roll them between your fingers, and they'll feel round, just like a pencil, you know.
Creeping Charlie: This is a really big clue. Creeping Charlie has square stems. If you roll a stem between your fingers, you'll actually feel the four flat sides. This is a pretty definite characteristic that helps tell it apart. It's a very clear difference, basically.

Growth Habit and Spread

Creeping Jenny: It spreads by rooting at the nodes along its stems. It forms a dense mat, but its spread is generally less aggressive than Creeping Charlie. It's more of a controlled spreader, if that makes sense, and you can, you know, manage it more easily.
Creeping Charlie: This plant is much more aggressive. It spreads very quickly through both its rooting stems and seeds. It can pretty much take over an area in no time, outcompeting other plants. It's a rather vigorous grower, to be honest.

Smell

Creeping Jenny: It doesn't really have a distinct smell. You know, it just smells like a regular plant, nothing special.
Creeping Charlie: If you crush the leaves of Creeping Charlie, they release a strong, somewhat minty or herbaceous smell. This is a very good way to identify it, especially if you're still not sure after looking at the leaves and stems. It's a pretty unique scent, actually.

Preferred Growing Conditions

Creeping Jenny: It likes moist to wet soil and can grow in full sun to partial shade. It does pretty well in various spots, you know, as long as it gets enough water. It's pretty adaptable, actually.
Creeping Charlie: This plant prefers shady, moist areas, often found in lawns that are overwatered or have poor drainage. It's pretty happy in those damp, shaded spots, basically.

Why They Get Mixed Up

The main reason people mix up Creeping Jenny and Creeping Charlie is their similar growth habit. Both plants spread low to the ground, forming a green carpet. They both have rounded leaves and can grow in similar environments, especially in garden beds or along edges. From a quick glance, you know, they can look pretty similar, especially if you're not looking for the specific details.

Plus, they are both quite common. You see them in yards and gardens all over the place. So, it's not surprising that people get them confused, basically. But once you know those specific differences, like the stem shape or the smell, it becomes pretty easy to tell them apart, honestly. It's just about knowing what to look for, you know.

Managing Creeping Jenny in Your Garden

If you have Creeping Jenny, you might actually want it there. It's a nice groundcover. But even good groundcovers can sometimes spread more than you want. So, it's good to know how to keep it in check, you know, if it starts to get a bit too enthusiastic. It's pretty manageable, actually.

Planting Creeping Jenny with Care

When you plant Creeping Jenny, pick a spot where it has room to spread or where its spreading won't cause problems. It's great for spilling over walls or out of containers. If you plant it in a garden bed, be aware that it will spread, so, you know, give it some space. It likes moist soil, so keep that in mind when choosing a spot, too.

Keeping It Contained

To keep Creeping Jenny from taking over, you can use physical barriers, like edging around garden beds. Or, you can just plant it in pots or hanging baskets. This way, its trailing stems can look lovely without rooting into the ground where you don't want them. You know, it's pretty easy to control if you just plan ahead a little bit.

Regular trimming also helps manage its size and spread. Just snip back any stems that are growing where you don't want them. This is a pretty simple way to keep it looking neat and tidy. It's a rather low-maintenance plant, honestly, as long as you keep an eye on it, basically.

Tackling Creeping Charlie: Control Strategies

Creeping Charlie, on the other hand, is usually something you want to get rid of. It can be a real nuisance in lawns and garden beds. Getting rid of it takes some effort, but it's definitely possible. You know, it's a persistent plant, but you can win the battle, basically, with the right approach.

Manual Removal

For small patches, pulling Creeping Charlie by hand can work. You need to be thorough, though, because any piece of stem left behind can re-root and grow into a new plant. It's pretty important to get all the pieces, as a matter of fact. This method is best for areas where it hasn't spread too much, honestly.

Make sure you pull it when the soil is moist, as this makes it easier to get the roots out. You know, a good rain can really help with this. It's a bit of work, but for small areas, it's pretty effective.

Cultural Practices

Improving your lawn health can help discourage Creeping Charlie. It often thrives in weak, thin lawns. So, things like proper mowing, watering, and fertilizing can make your grass stronger, which helps it compete better against the weed. You know, a healthy lawn is a pretty good defense.

Also, make sure your lawn isn't too wet. Creeping Charlie loves moist conditions. So, improving drainage and not overwatering can help make your yard less inviting for it. It's pretty simple, really, to make your lawn less appealing to this plant.

Organic Solutions

Some people try organic methods, like using horticultural vinegar or boiling water, on small, isolated patches. These can kill the plant on contact, but they don't distinguish between weeds and desirable plants, so you have to be very careful where you apply them. You know, they're pretty strong, so use them wisely.

Another approach is to smother it. You can cover a patch of Creeping Charlie with cardboard or thick layers of newspaper, then add mulch on top. This blocks out light and air, eventually killing the plant underneath. It takes time, but it's a pretty natural way to deal with it, basically. It's a patient approach, honestly.

Chemical Options: Use with Caution

For larger infestations, some people turn to herbicides. Products designed for broadleaf weeds in lawns can be effective against Creeping Charlie. Look for herbicides that contain ingredients like triclopyr or dicamba. Always read the product label carefully and follow all instructions for safe and

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