Creeping Jenny or Lysimachia is susceptible to a number of soil-borne fungal diseases. Because Lysimachia is in touch with soil, it is very susceptible to soil diseases during wet weather. In fact, I see creeping jenny rotting quite often here in the mountains.

Fungi and other decomposing organisms such as rhizoctonia, Southern Blight, pythium and others will rot creeping Jenny leaves that come into contact with wet soil. Because we get so much rain, much of it in the evening causing plants to stay wet for more than twelve hours, many kinds of plants get diseases locally. Fungi thrive when leaves stay wet for more than twelve hours. So, in our rainy climate, perennial plants can develop a problems, especially if they are not in full sun all day long. Any amount of shade can lead to diseases.

Can you teat these infections on creeping Jenny? The short answer is no. These fungi are incurable once inside the plant. Remember that the disease is related to the evening rains that soak the plants and soil and keep them wet all evening and night creating the perfect conditions for the soil fungi to eat the plant. So the best thing we can do is plant creeping Jenny in dry areas that do not remain water logged.