Strawberry Begonia Care

Saxifraga stolonifera, nicknamed strawberry begonia, sends out runners like strawberry plants and its leaves resemble a begonia's. However, it is not related to either of those plants. Strawberry begonia care is easy and the plants stay compact. This makes them ideal for locations where height is an issue, such as a shelving unit or a coffee table in front of a TV. The runners end in clumps that are easily propagated. You can grow your plant with the runners trailing down the side of a pot or you can propagate the clumps almost endlessly. It's up to you!

Read for care and information on propagation.

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Light

Bright indirect. An east or west facing window is perfect. Direct sun will burn leaves and plant health will suffer due to higher temps.

Temperature

Prefers cooler temps between 50° - 70°F. Can handle temps as low as 40°. Doesn't tolerate heat.

Water

Water when 30% dry or when plant droops, whichever comes first. Bottom water to avoid getting water on the fuzzy leaves, which encourages fungal disease. Underwatering = crispy leaves. Overwatering = yellow leaves.

Propagation

Propagates easily from baby plants on runners that the mother plant sends out. Options to root:

1) Grow mother plant in a wide and shallow pot so babies root nearby on their own.

2) Keep babies on runners and root in smaller pots placed around the "mother pot".

3) Clip babies from runners once roots are hearty. Press gently in soil.

Lifespan

Plant becomes woody and sparse in the center at around 3 years old. Simply replace with readily available and easy to root propagations.

Pruning

Only necessary to remove ugly leaves or runners if you don't want/like them.

Soil & Repotting

Standard lightweight potting soil. Grow with runners trailing down the side of a pot or grow as a ground cover in a wide and shallow pot (see propagation). Quick growing but does not like to be rootbound. Typically needs repotting every spring.

Humidity

Medium. Too much humidity encourages fungal problems. A combination of too much heat and too much humidity is especially problematic.