Creeping Jenny plants are evergreen perennials of the Primulaceae family. Common names include moneywort, herb twopence and twopenny grass. These low-growing plants are popular ground covers that thrive in rock gardens, around ponds, between stepping stones, or as container plants. However, like other plants, they can also be prone to yellowing leaves.
Creeping Jenny turning yellow: What are the reasons?
Sun stress
The leaves of your plants could be turning yellow because of sun stress. While these plants thrive in sunny spots, too much sun could stress them and result in sunburn. Keep the plants in the shade during the afternoon when the sun is at its hottest. You could also grow the plants in partial shade the whole year round or use a shade net to avoid wilting.
Fungal diseases
Yellowing creeping Jenny could also be due to fungal diseases like Southern blight. The first signs are wilting and yellowing of the bottom leaves, and it is characterized by a webby substance between the leaves and stems. This webby substance is called hyphae, which comprise the roots of the fungus. The fungus decomposes the plants’ stems, and they are more susceptible when weakened by excess moisture, physical damage or too much shade.
There is no treatment for Southern blight, but you can prevent its growth. Avoid overwatering the plants, keeping the soil wet but not soggy. See to it that the soil has good drainage and, if it is waterlogged, add some gritty sand. If the plants are already infected, dispose of them properly and dig up the soil to bury the fungus and its remnants.
Other diseases that affect creeping Jenny plants:
1.Botrytis blight
This fungal disease is prevalent during rainy weather and is manifested by brown discolorations with silver-gray spores on the dead plant tissue. The massive spores look like dust coming out of the plants. The ideal treatment is liquid copper fungicide and proper preventive measures.
2. Phyllosticta leaf spot
Your plants likely have this disease if you notice brown or tan spots with dark edges on the leaves. It is caused by the fungal pathogen Phyllosticta minima and, as the disease progresses, holes become evident as a result of the dried-up, discolored spots. It is ideally treated with liquid copper fungicides.
3. Rhizoctonia crown infection
This fungal disease is characterized by sudden and permanent wilting along with the complete collapse of the leaves and petioles. To protect your plants from this disease, keep your garden clean and dispose of dead leaves at once. If your plants are already infected, dispose of the infected leaves and replace the soil with fresh soil. Disinfect the tools you used to clear the infected areas.
Creeping Jenny care
Creeping Jenny is an invasive plant, although the Auria variety may not be as invasive. This variety also turns yellow when exposed to full sun. Although you may plant them in containers, these plants can grow like wildfire and may reach the lawn or garden. This lovely ornamental can quickly take over a spot, but if the soil is on the drier side it will impede some of its growth.
These plants thrive in full sun to partial shade, and the leaves will have a different color according to their level of sun exposure. If exposed to full sun the leaves may turn golden yellow, and if in partial shade they may be a chartreuse green. In very hot climates, the afternoon sun could cause the leaves to blanch.
Creeping Jenny plants prefer moist, well-draining soil, so make sure to water them regularly. Do not allow the soil to dry out. These plants can survive a cold winter and will recover quickly in spring.
Once the plants are established, they should be lightly fertilized with a 10-10-10 solution during the early spring. Make sure to trim the dead stems of your plants before the start of winter so that they start to grow back by spring.
Conclusion
Creeping Jenny is a cold-hardy plant also popularly called moneywort, twopence grass and herb twopence. These perennials with small, yellow flowers can suffer conditions that cause yellowing leaves. Possible causes include sun stress, fungal diseases like Southern blight, or natural causes, especially if exposed to full sun.
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