Creeping saxifrage Saxifraga stolonifera (5)

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
creeping saxifrage

ABOUT

S. stolonifera is an herbaceous perennial, semi-evergreen under glass, to 30cm, with long, slender red stolons bearing plantlets, rounded hairy dark green leaves to 10cm across, with silvery veins above, reddish beneath; small white flowers in panicles

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Synonyms

      Strawberry Begonia, Strawberry Geranium, Creeping Saxifrage, Roving Sailor, Mother Of Thousands, Aaron's Beard.

    • Common names

      Saxifraga sarmentosa, Saxifraga stolonifera var. ciliata, Saxifraga ciliata, Saxifraga ligulata, Saxifraga stolonifera f. ciliatociliata, Saxifraga stolonifera var. stolonifera, Saruma henryi, Strawberry Geranium, Strawberry Saxifrage, Roving Sailor, Creeping Saxifrage, Mother of Thousands, Aaron's beard.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Evergreen

    • Color of leaves

      Varied

    • Flower color

      White

    • Height

      0.5 feet (15 cm)

    • Spread

      1 feet (30 cm)

    • Plant type

      Herb

    • Hardiness zones

      6

    • Native area

      Asia

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Aesthetic appeal: The Saxifraga stolonifera, commonly known as strawberry begonia, has a unique and attractive appearance with its patterned leaves and delicate white flowers, making it popular for decorative purposes in homes and gardens.
    • Easy propagation: Strawberry begonia produces stoloniferous runners with small plantlets at the ends, which can be easily propagated and shared with friends or used to expand garden collections.
    • Shade tolerance: It thrives in shaded areas where other plants might struggle, thus providing ground cover and beauty to otherwise difficult-to-plant spaces.
    • Low maintenance: The strawberry begonia is known for being hardy and requiring minimal care, perfect for gardeners of all levels, including beginners.
    • Soil erosion prevention: As a ground cover plant, it helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in areas with loose soil.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    • Anti-inflammatory: Saxifraga stolonifera may have compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body.
    • Antioxidant: The plant contains antioxidants which may protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
    • Antitumor: Some studies suggest that Saxifraga stolonifera may possess substances with potential antitumor activity.
    • Hepatoprotective: There is evidence to suggest that it might have liver-protecting properties.
    • Antibacterial: Extracts of the plant may have antibacterial effects against certain types of bacteria.
    • Antiviral: Components in Saxifraga stolonifera could have antiviral properties, particularly against certain strains of viruses.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Saxifraga stolonifera, commonly known as Mother of Thousands, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, imparting a range of green hues when used with different mordants.
    • In some cultures, the leaves of Mother of Thousands are crushed and rubbed onto wooden surfaces to give them a mild, fresh scent and potential antimicrobial properties.
    • The plant's crushed leaves have been historically used as a polishing agent for delicate surfaces like certain metals and ceramics, without causing damage.
    • Mother of Thousands can be planted as a companion plant in gardens to help avoid soil erosion due to its stoloniferous growth habit that covers the ground quickly.
    • The plant is used in educational settings for children and novice gardeners to learn about vegetative reproduction due to its easily observable plantlet formation.
    • Some enthusiasts of aquariums use Mother of Thousands as a decorative and safe plant for certain types of freshwater fish tanks and paludariums.
    • As part of a terrarium setup, Mother of Thousands can add aesthetic value due to its attractive foliage and cascading plantlets.
    • The plant's capacity to rapidly spread and produce offshoots is used by artists and hobbyists to create living sculptures and decorative patterns in gardens.
    • Mother of Thousands is used in culinary presentations as a non-toxic garnish, especially in high-end gastronomy to add a unique visual element to dishes.
    • Some have made use of the distinctive texture and shape of Mother of Thousands' leaves in printmaking, such as creating direct leaf prints on paper or fabric.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Strawberry Begonia is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Strawberry Begonia is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Perseverance: Known as Strawberry Begonia due to its stoloniferous way of propagating, which resembles strawberry plants, Saxifraga stolonifera symbolizes perseverance because it tenaciously sends out runners to spread and thrive even in difficult conditions.
    • Protection: In traditional practices, Strawberry Begonia is often associated with protection owing to its robust growing habit, forming a dense mat that can be seen as a protective ground cover.
    • Motherhood: The plant's capability to produce new plantlets on its stolons echoes themes of maternal care and nurturing, often linked symbolically to the aspect of motherhood.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
500 - 2500 Lux
Light
💦️
6%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning
  • water dropWater

    The Strawberry Begonia prefers evenly moist soil, so it should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this means watering approximately once every week, but this can vary depending on environmental conditions. It's important to water the plant thoroughly, allowing water to drain out of the bottom, ensuring you don't leave the plant standing in water. Depending on the size of the pot, this might mean using around 16 to 24 ounces of water each time. Adjust the amount and frequency based on the season, watering less in winter.

  • sunLight

    Strawberry Begonia thrives in bright, indirect light, making it ideal for an east or north-facing window. Avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hot afternoon hours, as it can scorch the leaves. A spot with dappled sunlight or partial shade will also work well for this plant, promoting healthy growth without risking damage from the sun's intense rays.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Strawberry Begonia prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can survive minimum temperatures of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit but should not be exposed to temperatures below this as it may cause damage. Ideal temperature conditions are average room temperatures, away from drafts and sudden temperature changes.

  • scissorsPruning

    Pruning the Strawberry Begonia is best done to maintain its shape and remove any dead or yellowing leaves. It's a good practice to prune the plant lightly throughout the growing season to encourage fuller growth. The best time for pruning is in the spring before new growth begins. It generally doesn't require heavy pruning, so just tidying up is often sufficient.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Strawberry Begonia prefers a well-draining soil with a mix of peat, perlite, and potting soil, ideally with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5 for optimal growth.

  • plantRepotting

    Strawberry Begonia should be repotted every 1 to 2 years to refresh the soil and prevent the plant from becoming root-bound.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Strawberry Begonia thrives in high humidity environments; aim for a humidity level of 60% to 80%.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Place in bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity.

    • Outdoor

      Grow in shade or partial shade, and protect from strong sun.

    • Hardiness zone

      7-10 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    The Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera) starts its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination develops into a small seedling with characteristic round, scalloped leaves. As the plant matures, it forms a rosette and begins to produce long, thin runners (stolons) with plantlets at the tips, which can root and establish new rosettes upon contact with soil. The plant grows primarily in the spring and summer, during which it also produces small, white flowers on tall, slender stalks that rise above the foliage. After flowering, the Strawberry Begonia sets seed, which can disperse to form new plants. In the fall, growth slows down as the plant enters a period of dormancy during colder months. The plant's life can extend over many years through vegetative propagation by stolons, as well as through self-sowing of seeds.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Summer

    • The Strawberry Begonia can be propagated effectively through division, ideally during the spring or early summer months when the plant's growth is most active. A popular method is to separate the numerous plantlets that form on the ends of the stolons, an extension similar to a runner. These baby plants can be easily rooted while still attached to the mother plant by placing them on the surface of the potting mix and securing them with a wire or a small stone until they establish their own roots, which will happen in a few weeks. Once these plantlets have rooted, they can be snipped from the mother plant and potted up individually. This form of vegetative propagation not only maintains the characteristics of the parent plant but also provides a quick and straightforward method to expand one's collection of Strawberry Begonias.