Saxifraga stolonifera Curtis

Strawberry Begonia, Strawberry Saxifrage, Creeping Saxifrage, Mother of Thousands, Roving Sailor

Easy careTerrestrialNon-toxic1020 cm

Saxifraga stolonifera grows wild on shaded, damp rocks and stream banks across China, Japan, and Korea, where the cool forest air keeps its hairy foliage moist year-round. It forms a low rosette of rounded, scallop-edged leaves — green on top with silver veining and a reddish-pink underside — and sends out long, thread-like red stolons that dangle and produce miniature plantlets at their tips, much like a strawberry plant. In late spring and summer it raises slender flower stalks bearing dozens of tiny asymmetric white flowers, each with two long lower petals and small upper petals freckled with red and yellow. It does well in a closed or open terrarium with bright indirect light and steady moderate humidity, though the fuzzy leaves dislike water sitting on them — avoid direct misting, and give it some airflow to keep fungal spotting at bay.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Strawberry Begonia image

Care

Prefers high humidity, indirect light, with 10–24 °C, and reaches 20 cm at maturity.

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Bright indirectShade tolerant

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Medium (40–60%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
10°C24°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)LoamyMoisture retentive

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Propagation

An established clump can be lifted and gently teased apart in spring, with each division retaining its own crown and a portion of roots. Replant immediately at the same depth into moist, well-drained substrate and keep humidity steady while the divisions settle.

Native range

Native to China and Eastern Asia.

Appearance

Growth habit

RosetteCreepingTrailing

Leaf shape

RoundToothed

Leaf texture

FuzzyVelvety

Frequently asked

Can Strawberry Begonia grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Strawberry Begonia prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Strawberry Begonia need drainage?

Strawberry Begonia prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Strawberry Begonia need?

Strawberry Begonia does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

Is Strawberry Begonia pet-safe?

Strawberry Begonia is considered non-toxic to common household pets.

How tall does Strawberry Begonia grow?

Strawberry Begonia typically reaches 10–20 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Strawberry Begonia?

Strawberry Begonia can be propagated by division or runners.

References

  1. 1

    Plants of the World Online — Saxifraga stolonifera Curtis

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:251515-2
  2. 2

    RHS — Saxifraga stolonifera (creeping saxifrage)

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/16860/saxifraga-stolonifera/details
  3. 3

    Wikipedia — Saxifraga stolonifera

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxifraga_stolonifera
  4. 4
  5. 5

    UK Houseplants — The Ultimate Guide for Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga)

    https://www.ukhouseplants.com/plants/strawberry-begonia
  6. 6

    Sprout Home — Saxifraga stolonifera Care Sheet

    https://sprouthome.com/pages/saxifraga-stolonifera-care-sheet
  7. 7

    Houseplants Nook — Strawberry Begonia Care, Propagation & Toxicity

    https://houseplantsnook.com/strawberry-begonia-care