CREEPING SAXIFRAGE

SAXIFRAGA STOLONIFERA

Creeping saxifrage is a mat-forming plant that has dense cushions of scalloped, velvety foliage and a dainty trailing habit, which makes it an ideal candidate for hanging baskets. It produces lots of plantlets that can easily be established as new plants for friends and family.

HEIGHT 6in (15cm), trailing to 24in (60cm)

SPREAD 16in (40cm)

FLOWERS Small, white

FOLIAGE Green, scalloped, purple-backed

LIGHT Filtered sun

TEMPERATURE 43–75°F (6–24°C)

CARE Easy

PLACE OF ORIGIN China, Japan

CARE

Creeping saxifrage offers a soft, dainty look but is nevertheless robust and easy to grow. It thrives in a room with moderate humidity and filtered sunlight. Some gardeners remove the spikes of flowers so the plant can put all its energy into growing foliage; others prefer to keep the small, white blooms. Plant in commercial potting mix in a hanging basket or place on a windowsill or shelf so that the runners that carry plantlets can freely trail. There’s no need to cut off the plantlets.

Creeping saxifrage enjoys damp roots, so water well in spring and summer. Reduce the watering in the winter months. Feed every other week during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

If you want to root the plantlets, it’s easiest to grow creeping saxifrage on a windowsill. Propagation is very straightforward: simply push plantlets from the runners (still attached to the parent plant) into a nearby, smaller pot of potting mix; hold them in place with paperclips. Once rooted (a few weeks), cut free from the parent.

The plantlets are held on long, wiry stems, adding to the drama of the display.

PROBLEM SOLVING These fast-growing groundcover plants will soon suffer if positioned in a bright, south-facing room. They’re much better suited to an east- or west-facing aspect. If the plants look unhappy and unhealthy, repot in spring—they dislike being pot-bound. They’re susceptible to mealybugs, but this is quite rare.

DISPLAY

Creeping saxifrage is best displayed in the home in a hanging basket or on a pedestal or a high shelf so that its elegant, purple-backed leaves are clearly visible. African violets and Cape primroses make great partners if you want to add flowering plants to a windowsill display.

Houseplants A–Z | CREEPING SAXIFRAGE

ALSO TRY

If you have a collection of hanging baskets or a shelf that has a little more room, then why not consider growing a variegated form of the creeping saxifrage, such as:

• Magic carpet saxifrage (Saxifraga ‘Tricolor’ (stolonifera)), height/trail 24in (60cm). This plant has green leaves with a white and pink trim and pure white flowers during the summer.

Magic carpet saxifrage is great in a room with pastel shades.