Is Moneywort The Same As Creeping Jenny – The Aquarist’S Definitive

Written ByHoward Parker

Have you ever stood in a plant store, staring at a vibrant green plant labeled “Moneywort” and then spotted another nearly identical one called “Creeping Jenny,” wondering if you’re looking at the same thing? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common points of confusion in the aquarium and gardening hobbies.

It’s a simple mix-up that can lead to a lot of frustration, wasted money, and a melting, dying plant in your beautiful aquarium. Don’t worry, I’ve been there too.

In this complete guide, we’re going to clear up the confusion once and for all. I’ll give you the straight answer to the question, is moneywort the same as creeping jenny, and more importantly, I’ll explain why the difference is critical for the success of your underwater world. We’ll dive into their true identities, explore how each one behaves when submerged, and give you a complete care guide for the true aquarium superstar.

By the end, you’ll be able to walk into any store with confidence, knowing exactly which plant will thrive in your tank and which one to leave for the garden pond.

The Straight Answer: Are They Really the Same Plant?

Let’s get right to it: The answer is a classic yes and no. This is a perfect example of how common names can cause chaos for hobbyists. While the names are often used interchangeably, they typically refer to two completely different plant species.

Think of it like this: in the ocean, both dolphins and sharks are large swimming creatures, but one is a mammal and the other is a fish. Calling them both “big sea animals” is technically true but misses the crucial details. The same logic applies here.

Let’s formally meet the two key players in this identity crisis.

Meet the True Aquarium Moneywort: Bacopa monnieri

When aquarists talk about Moneywort, they are almost always referring to Bacopa monnieri. This is the plant you want for your fully submerged aquarium setup.

It’s a fantastic stem plant, also known as Water Hyssop or Brahmi. It’s a true aquatic (or marginal) plant that has adapted to live happily both in and out of water, making it a reliable and hardy choice for your tank. Its leaves are typically small, oval, and grow in pairs up a central stem.

Meet the Pond & Garden Favorite: Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny)

This is where the confusion starts. Lysimachia nummularia is most commonly known as Creeping Jenny. However, in the gardening and pond world, it’s also frequently called Moneywort because of its round, coin-shaped leaves.

Creeping Jenny is a stunning, fast-growing ground cover plant with bright, chartreuse-colored leaves. It loves moist soil and is often used to spill over the edges of pots and ponds. It is a terrestrial or marginal plant, meaning it’s not designed to live its life completely underwater.

Why This “Is Moneywort the Same as Creeping Jenny” Confusion Matters for Your Tank

Okay, so they’re different species. Why is this such a big deal for your aquarium? Picking the wrong one doesn’t just mean your aquascape won’t look right—it means you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Submerged vs. Emersed Growth

The most critical difference is how they grow. Bacopa monnieri is a true aquatic workhorse. It thrives when fully submerged, sprouting new leaves, growing tall towards the light, and developing a healthy root system in your substrate.

Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny), on the other hand, will only tolerate being submerged for a short time. Many big-box pet stores sell it in those plastic tubes, banking on its good looks. But after a few weeks or months in your tank, it will begin to rot, melt, and fall apart. It simply cannot survive long-term without access to open air.

Growth Habits & Aquascaping Potential

Their growth styles are completely different, which impacts how you’d use them in a design.

  • Aquarium Moneywort (Bacopa): This is an upright stem plant. You plant it in the substrate, and it grows vertically towards the light. It’s perfect for creating a lush green background or adding texture to the midground of your tank.
  • Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia): As its name implies, this plant creeps and spreads horizontally. In a garden or pond edge, it forms a dense mat. Underwater, it doesn’t know what to do and will fail to establish this growth pattern before it begins to decay.

The Financial and Eco-Friendly Impact

Buying Creeping Jenny for your aquarium is, frankly, a waste of money. You’re buying a plant that is destined to die and foul your water in the process. This is a crucial part of our sustainable is moneywort the same as creeping jenny discussion.

Furthermore, if a well-meaning aquarist discards dying Creeping Jenny into a local waterway, it can become an invasive species, outcompeting native plants. Being an eco-friendly aquarist means making responsible choices, and that starts with buying the right plants for the job.

The Ultimate Is Moneywort the Same as Creeping Jenny Care Guide for Aquariums (Bacopa monnieri)

Now that we’ve established that Bacopa monnieri is our go-to aquarium plant, let’s talk about how to make it thrive. The good news? It’s incredibly easy to care for, making it one of my top recommendations for beginners!

Lighting Requirements

Moneywort is wonderfully adaptable. It can grow in low-light conditions, though it might get a bit “leggy” (long spaces between leaves). For lush, compact, and dense growth, provide it with medium to high lighting. You don’t need a super-expensive light to make this plant happy.

Substrate and Nutrients

While it will grow in plain gravel or sand, Moneywort will truly flourish with a bit of food. It pulls nutrients from both its roots and the water column.

  • Substrate: A nutrient-rich substrate is fantastic, but not required.
  • Root Tabs: If you have an inert substrate like sand, placing a root tab near its base every few months will give it a huge boost.
  • Liquid Fertilizer: Dosing a comprehensive liquid fertilizer once or twice a week will provide all the necessary nutrients it needs from the water.

CO2: Necessary or Nice-to-Have?

This is another reason Moneywort is so great for beginners: CO2 is not necessary. It will grow perfectly well in a “low-tech” tank without any CO2 injection. If you do provide pressurized CO2, you’ll simply be rewarded with faster, more robust growth.

Water Parameters

Don’t stress too much about your water parameters with this plant. It’s incredibly forgiving.

  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
  • pH: 6.0-8.0
  • Hardness: It’s not picky and will adapt to both soft and hard water.

Planting and Propagation: Easy as 1-2-3

Propagating Moneywort is one of the most satisfying parts of owning it. Here’s how to do it, which is a key part of any good how to is moneywort the same as creeping jenny guide:

  1. Planting: When you first get the plant, simply separate the individual stems and plant them into your substrate about an inch apart. This allows light and water to circulate around the base of each stem.
  2. Trimming: Once the stems grow tall, take a pair of aquascaping scissors and snip the top 3-4 inches off.
  3. Replanting: Take those healthy tops you just trimmed and plant them right back into the substrate. That’s it! You’ve just doubled your plants. The bottom portion you left planted will sprout new side shoots and become even bushier.

Common Problems and Easy Solutions for Your Moneywort

Even the hardiest plants can run into trouble. Here are some common problems with is moneywort the same as creeping jenny and how to fix them for your Bacopa monnieri.

Problem: Leggy Growth with Sparse Leaves

This is almost always a sign of insufficient light. The plant is stretching itself out, trying to get closer to the light source. The solution is to either increase your light’s intensity or duration, or move the plant to a brighter spot in the tank.

Problem: Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves, especially new ones, typically point to a nutrient deficiency. Iron is a common culprit, but it could also be a lack of nitrogen. Using a comprehensive liquid fertilizer that contains both macronutrients and micronutrients will usually solve this quickly.

Problem: Melting Bottom Leaves

It’s normal for a few bottom leaves to melt when you first plant Moneywort as it adapts to your tank. If it continues, it could mean the bottom of the plant isn’t getting enough light or water flow. This is a great time to trim the healthy tops and replant them, discarding the sparse-looking bottoms.

The Benefits of Choosing the Right Moneywort (Bacopa monnieri)

Making the right choice comes with huge rewards. The benefits of is moneywort the same as creeping jenny (the real one!) are numerous for any freshwater aquarium.

  • Perfect for Beginners: Its hardy nature and wide range of acceptable parameters make it incredibly forgiving.
  • Natural Water Purifier: As a fast-growing stem plant, it actively consumes nitrates and other waste products from the water, helping to keep your tank clean and your fish healthy.
  • Provides Excellent Shelter: The dense foliage creates a perfect hiding place and foraging ground for shy fish, shrimp, and baby fish (fry).
  • Oxygenates the Water: Through photosynthesis, it releases oxygen into the water, which is vital for all of your aquatic inhabitants.
  • Beautiful and Versatile: Its bright green color and textured leaves add a beautiful, classic look to any aquascape.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Aquascaping Best Practices

Part of being a great aquarist is being a responsible one. When it comes to plants, this means following a few is moneywort the same as creeping jenny best practices for sustainability.

First, always try to source your plants from reputable aquatic nurseries, your local fish store, or fellow hobbyists. This ensures you’re getting a true aquatic plant that hasn’t been treated with pesticides harmful to your fish or invertebrates.

Most importantly, never release any aquarium plants or animals into local waterways. Plants like Creeping Jenny can become highly invasive. The proper way to dispose of unwanted cuttings or plants is to let them dry out completely before composting them or sealing them in a bag and putting them in the trash.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moneywort and Creeping Jenny

So, can I ever use Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) in my aquarium?

For a standard, fully submerged aquarium, the answer is no. It will not survive. However, it is an excellent choice for a paludarium or riparium, where its roots can be in the water but its leaves can grow emersed (out of the water). In that specific setup, it can look absolutely stunning trailing down rocks or wood.

How fast does aquarium Moneywort (Bacopa monnieri) grow?

It’s a moderately fast grower. In a low-tech tank, you might trim it once a month. In a high-tech tank with strong light, fertilizers, and CO2, you could be trimming and replanting it every two weeks to keep it looking neat.

Does Moneywort need to be planted in substrate?

Yes, it is a rooted stem plant and does best when planted in the substrate. It will quickly develop a root system to anchor itself and absorb nutrients. It will not thrive long-term if left floating.

Why is my Moneywort turning reddish-brown at the top?

Congratulations! This is usually a very good sign. Under high-intensity lighting, some varieties of Bacopa will develop a beautiful bronze or reddish hue on their newest leaves. It’s a sign that the plant is receiving plenty of light and is growing vigorously.

Conclusion: The Right Plant for a Thriving Tank

So, is moneywort the same as creeping jenny? For the aquarist, the answer is a firm no. While they share a common name, they are worlds apart in their needs and their ability to thrive in an aquarium.

Your key takeaway is simple: For a lush, healthy, fully underwater aquascape, you want Bacopa monnieri, the true aquarium Moneywort. Leave the Lysimachia nummularia, or Creeping Jenny, for the terrestrial gardens and pond edges where it can truly shine.

By making this informed choice, you’re not just buying a plant; you’re investing in the health, stability, and beauty of your aquarium ecosystem. You’re setting yourself up for success and avoiding the common pitfalls that frustrate so many beginners.

Now that you’re armed with this expert knowledge, you can aquascape with confidence. Go create that vibrant, green underwater paradise you’ve been dreaming of. Happy scaping!

Howard Parker
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