Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia): creeping plant for a natural aquarium or outdoor pond
A truly versatile amphibious ground cover and flowering plant
Moneywort (also known as Herb-Two-Pence) is a marsh plant that can live both submerged and emersed. In an aquarium, its round, light-green leaves form a bright, lush cluster. In a pond, it grows above the surface, blooms bright yellow in summer (flowers approximately 2 cm across), and withstands frost without flinching (down to -20 °C).
Perfect for concealing edges and covering banks, with foliage that is often evergreen.
Why choose Moneywort?
- Versatile: aquarium, tub pond, pond, and damp banks. It feels at home anywhere!
- Dense ground cover: its creeping stems root at every node, allowing it to spread across the surface.
- Yellow summer flowering, highly decorative when grown emersed.
- Very hardy: it withstands severe frost outdoors.
- Easy to propagate from cuttings: each rooted fragment can be replanted in an aquarium or pond water. Moneywort readily develops roots along its stems.
- Low-tech friendly: it needs only simple sand and tolerates a wide range of parameters. It feeds more from the water than through its roots.
Planting and growing tips
- Aquarium: plant in several spaced-out locations to encourage an even light-green carpet. Medium to strong light produces a brighter color.
- Pond / banks: place the stems with their bases in the water or in very damp soil. Ideal for hiding the pond liner and edging the bank.
- Maintenance: trim and replant rooted segments. Remove excess growth if it spreads too far.
- Winter: it can be left outdoors (it is a very hardy species).
- Substrate and water: simple soil, soft to moderately hard water. No special technical requirements in either an aquarium or a pond.
Possible uses for Moneywort
- Low-tech aquarium: foreground or bright clusters.
- Pond & mini-pond: evergreen carpet, yellow flowers, and bank coverage.
- Tub pond: rapid growth during the season and regrowth in spring.
FAQ – Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia)
Can it be grown in a low-tech setup?
Yes, it grows very well without CO2 or specialized substrate. Its tolerance makes it a must-have.
Does it retain its color in an aquarium?
Yes. Sufficient light enhances its luminous green-yellow color, which contrasts beautifully with dark-green or red plants (Microsorum, Cryptocoryne, or Hygrophila costata)
Is it truly hardy in the garden?
Yes, it withstands severe frost (- 20 °C) and grows back every year.
How can I achieve a fast ground-cover effect?
Distribute rooted runners and trim and replant them regularly.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Absolutely: it is easy, hardy, and highly tolerant of all conditions and parameters.
Additional information
- Scientific name: Lysimachia nummularia
- Plant type: creeping or upright amphibious plant
- Light: full sun to partial shade, highly tolerant.
- Temperature: -20 to +30°C! From an outdoor pond to a tropical aquarium, it thrives in all of them.
- Current: it prefers calm water.
- Packaging: 3 rooted stems (indicative weight: 20 g).
- Guarantee: no rock wool or any artificial substrate of any kind.
- Recommendation: as a precaution, please never release this plant into the wild. Our ecosystems are fragile and must be protected.
