How to Grow Lysimachia (Primulaceae) and Precautions, Plus the Difference from Pennywort

Lysimachia, also known by aliases such as creeping Jenny, mirror grass, Cuiping grass, lotus-bud grass, meat wonton grass, golden key, lianqian grass, opposite-seat grass, leaf lysimachia, coin-leaf grass, and qianqianjin. It stays evergreen year-round, is grown mainly for its foliage, has perfectly round leaves, and has extremely vigorous vitality, making it very popular among the public. So what are the growing methods and precautions for Lysimachia? How does it differ from pennywort?

Lysimachia is a plant in the family Primulaceae, order Tubiflorae, a perennial creeping small herbaceous plant of the family Primulaceae. The leaves are kidney-shaped to round, 4-25 mm in diameter; the flowers are solitary in the leaf axils, with pedicels shorter than the petioles, thread-like; the foliage is green and it bears small yellow flowers.

Growing Methods and Precautions for Lysimachia

It can be propagated by seed or by cuttings. However, because Lysimachia seeds are very small, difficult to collect, and the seedlings grow slowly, cuttings are mostly used for propagation. Every year in March to April, cut off the creeping stems and cut every 3 to 4 nodes into a section to serve as a cutting.

On the prepared seedbed surface, open 1 shallow furrow on each side of the bed at a distance of several cm for row planting, with a furrow depth of 6 to 8 cm, planting 2 rows per bed. In the opened shallow furrows, insert cuttings at a plant spacing of 10 cm, burying 2 to 3 nodes in the soil; after planting, cover with a thin layer of soil and press lightly, then water to settle the roots.

It is best to choose fertile sandy loam and a shady, moist plot for planting; you can also use spare shady, wet land such as corners beside the house or beside pond dams and ditches for scattered cultivation. Before preparing the land, apply sufficient base fertilizer, applying 2500 to 3000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu; after plowing, rake the soil fine, and make beds 1.2 m wide, with a bed surface width of 90 cm, a furrow width of 30 cm, and a furrow depth of 20 cm.

If dry weather occurs after cuttings are planted, water frequently to keep the seedlings alive, watering once a day to encourage rooting and survival. When the cuttings send out new leaves, water with dilute decomposed human and livestock manure water, applying 30 to 40 loads per mu. When the stems and vines grow to 12-15 cm, apply topdressing once more, applying 50 loads of decomposed human and livestock manure urine per mu. If there are missing plants in the planting holes, cut longer cuttings to fill in the gaps. After each harvest in summer and autumn, apply topdressing once to fully meet the nutrients needed for plant growth and ensure high and stable yields.

At the same time, before the second topdressing in the first year, carry out one intertillage and weeding. If weeds grow again, simply pull them by hand. After early spring of the second year, before Lysimachia sprouts, also carry out intertillage, loosening the soil, and weeding; thereafter carry out intertillage, loosening the soil, and weeding once every year. Intertillage and weeding should be followed promptly by topdressing, applying 2500-3000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu; after spreading the fertilizer on the bed surface, water once, or apply 50 loads of decomposed human and livestock manure water per mu. After each harvest, apply topdressing once.

Pest and Disease Control for Lysimachia

The main pests are slugs and snails biting the stems and leaves. You can use a 1000-fold dilution of 90% trichlorfon crystal for watering; or spread 8% metaldehyde granules or 10% metaldehyde granules, at 1.5 grams per sq m, or 1.5 kg per mu, spread on a clear evening to kill adults or young snails.

The Difference Between Lysimachia and Pennywort

Lysimachia and pennywort have very similar names; if you do not look carefully, you might think they are the same plant. But in fact the difference between the two is still quite great. Below, the editor will take everyone through the differences between Lysimachia and pennywort from different aspects.

Family and genus

First, in terms of family and genus, Lysimachia belongs to the family Primulaceae, a perennial creeping herbaceous plant, in the subclass Sympetalae, also known by the aliases mirror grass and creeping Jenny. Pennywort belongs to the family Apiaceae, a perennial herbaceous plant, in the subclass Archichlamydeae, and is now called Chinese pennywort.

Growing environment

Second, distinguish them by growing environment. Lysimachia mainly grows in tropical and subtropical regions and is widely distributed in China, mostly in southern regions, with both wild and cultivated plants, and it likes warm, humid places with flowing water sources. Pennywort, on the other hand, is native to Europe and likes riverbank and ditch edges and shady, damp living environments.

Pennywort

Appearance

Furthermore, distinguish them by appearance. Lysimachia looks like the round copper coins of ancient China; its leaves are mostly kidney-shaped to round, with opposite leaves, mostly 4 to 45 mm wide, and its flowers are yellow. Pennywort, on the other hand, looks like a broken paper umbrella, fan-shaped and triangular, with serrated edges, and its flowers are yellow or purplish-red.

Growth habits

In addition, distinguish them by growth habits. Lysimachia likes warm, humid places, is not tolerant of high temperatures but is tolerant of low temperatures; when the temperature is between 16 and 24 degrees Celsius, it is most suitable for Lysimachia growth. Pennywort is a plant that can survive both in water and on land, with good resistance to shade, moisture, and drought, strong vitality, and rapid reproduction; one thing they share is that pennywort also cannot survive under high temperatures.

Medicinal effects

Finally, distinguish them by medicinal effects. In terms of medicinal value, Lysimachia can be decocted in water for internal use, or pounded into juice for drinking or external application. However, people with diarrhea must never drink the pounded juice. The entire Lysimachia plant can be used medicinally; it can dispel wind and relieve pain, clear heat and promote urination, and also has a certain effect in treating venomous snake bites, tonsillitis, and malaria. Pennywort can also be used medicinally whole; it can treat eczema, abdominal pain, and relieve pain.