Lysimachia Nummularia ‘Aurea’ (Golden Creeping Jenny)

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, commonly known as Golden Creeping Jenny, is a stunning aquatic and terrestrial plant, widely appreciated for its bright golden-yellow leaves and trailing growth habit. It adds a vibrant pop of color to both aquariums and garden landscapes. Native to Europe and Western Asia, this species is versatile and can thrive in a variety of environments, including water gardens, aquariums, and terrariums. In aquariums, its creeping nature makes it an excellent ground cover, and it can also be used in ponds or bog setups where it cascades beautifully over rocks or edges.

Physical Appearance

The distinguishing feature of Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is its round, golden-yellow leaves, which grow along long, slender stems. The leaves are arranged in an opposite pattern, giving the plant a lush, full appearance. Each leaf is small and circular, around 1-2 cm in diameter, with a smooth texture. The plant's creeping, low-growing habit allows it to spread horizontally, making it a perfect ground cover or foreground plant in aquascaping. The bright, sunny color of the foliage contrasts beautifully with darker greens in a planted tank, adding depth and visual interest.

Natural Habitat and Origins

Golden Creeping Jenny is found naturally in moist environments across Europe and Western Asia, where it grows in lowland meadows, marshes, and along riverbanks. In the wild, it prefers wet, nutrient-rich soils and thrives in partial shade to full sunlight.

The natural habitats of Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ typically feature:

• Wet, marshy environments
• Humid conditions with abundant water supply
• Temperatures ranging from 50°F to 80°F (10°C to 27°C)
• Partial to full sunlight exposure

Because of its preference for moist, waterlogged soils, this plant is commonly used in pond margins and bog gardens, but it can also thrive when fully submerged in aquariums.

Caring for Golden Creeping Jenny in Aquariums

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is easy to care for in aquariums and other water-based environments, making it a good choice for aquarists of all levels. Its trailing growth habit and tolerance for a variety of conditions allow it to adapt well to different setups.

Tank Requirements:

• Lighting: This plant prefers moderate to high lighting to maintain its vibrant golden-yellow color. Under lower light conditions, the leaves may turn greener and the plant will grow more slowly. A strong light source will encourage compact, bushy growth and more intense coloration.
• Substrate: While Golden Creeping Jenny can grow in different substrates, it performs best in a nutrient-rich substrate such as aquatic soil or fine gravel. The roots will anchor well in these mediums, and the plant will spread horizontally along the bottom of the tank.
• Water Parameters: Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. The ideal pH range is between 6.0 and 7.5, and it prefers water temperatures between 65°F and 78°F (18°C to 25°C). Moderate water flow is best to ensure that the plant remains healthy without being uprooted.

Growth and Maintenance: Golden Creeping Jenny grows relatively quickly under favorable conditions, especially with good lighting and nutrient-rich water. It forms dense carpets in the foreground of the aquarium, creating a lush, vibrant look. Regular trimming is recommended to keep the plant from overtaking the tank, as it can grow quite vigorously.

When trimmed, Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ can encourage new side shoots, promoting even denser, fuller growth. If the plant grows too tall, it may lose its compact shape, so trimming will help maintain a neat, low profile. It can also be allowed to float, where it will form mats of floating foliage, though it is more commonly used as a rooted plant.

Propagation

Propagation of Golden Creeping Jenny is simple and can be done through stem cuttings. Cut healthy stems and replant them in the substrate. The cuttings will develop roots within a short time and begin to spread across the substrate, creating new plants. This makes Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ a great choice for aquarists looking to fill large areas of their aquarium with a fast-growing ground cover.

Aquascaping Uses

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is an excellent plant for aquascaping due to its vibrant color and spreading habit. Its golden-yellow foliage contrasts well with darker plants, creating an eye-catching display. It is primarily used as a foreground plant or ground cover, but it can also be planted in mid-ground areas where it provides a bright accent among other aquatic plants.

• Foreground plant: Its creeping growth makes it ideal for the foreground of aquascapes, where it forms a dense carpet of golden leaves.
• Ground cover: In larger tanks, it can be used as a ground cover across wide areas, creating a natural, meadow-like look.
• Terrarium and paludarium use: Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ also thrives in terrariums and paludariums, where its creeping growth can cover rocks, driftwood, or other surfaces. In these setups, the plant may also flower, producing small yellow blooms.

Compatibility with Fish and Other Plants

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is compatible with a wide variety of fish and other aquatic plants. It is not prone to being eaten by most herbivorous fish due to its thicker leaves, and it provides excellent shelter for small fish and fry. Its dense growth also helps maintain water quality by absorbing excess nutrients and producing oxygen.

Fish Compatibility:

• Small fish like Tetras, Rasboras, and Livebearers appreciate the cover provided by Golden Creeping Jenny, especially when it grows densely along the tank bottom.
• Shrimp and other invertebrates will benefit from the plant’s dense foliage as a refuge and grazing area for biofilm and algae.
• Larger fish, such as Angelfish and Gouramis, can coexist with this plant, though care should be taken with fish that may uproot plants.

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is also compatible with a range of other aquarium plants, such as Anubias, Java Fern, Cryptocorynes, and Amazon Swords, which can provide height and contrast to its low-growing, golden foliage.

Conclusion

Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, or Golden Creeping Jenny, is a striking and versatile plant that adds a bright, eye-catching element to any aquarium or water garden. Its golden-yellow leaves and creeping growth habit make it an excellent choice for aquascaping, whether as a foreground plant or ground cover. Easy to propagate and maintain, Golden Creeping Jenny is perfect for aquarists of all skill levels. Its adaptability, fast growth, and compatibility with a wide range of fish species make it a valuable addition to any aquatic setup. Whether used in a planted aquarium, terrarium, or pond, Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ will bring a burst of color and life to your aquatic environment.