Saxifraga stolonifera, strawberry begonia
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Perennials

Saxifraga stolonifera

strawberry begonia

SaxifragaceaeAsia

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageEvergreen
Height8–18 inches (20–45 cm) in flower; rosettes 2–4 inches (5–10 cm)
Width12–24 inches (30–60 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Saxifraga stolonifera, commonly called strawberry begonia or strawberry geranium, is a mat-forming evergreen perennial in the family Saxifragaceae, native to moist, shaded cliff faces, rock outcrops, stream banks, and forest floors across China, Japan, and Korea. Despite both its common names, it is neither a begonia nor a geranium, but a true saxifrage. The plant spreads by long, slender, thread-like red stolons that arch outward and root to produce small plantlets — a habit that strongly resembles the runners of a strawberry plant and gives rise to the common name. Each rosette produces rounded to kidney-shaped leaves 1–4 inches (2.5–10 cm) across, with a distinctive pattern of silvery-gray veins on a dark olive-green to gray-green surface and rich burgundy-red undersides. In late spring to early summer, airy, branching panicles 8–18 inches (20–45 cm) tall carry asymmetrical white flowers — five petals, with two dramatically elongated lower petals 0.5–0.75 inch (1.2–2 cm) and three small upper petals spotted with yellow and red. A remarkably versatile plant in Pacific Northwest gardens — groundcover, container, hanging basket, and houseplant — and notably cold-hardy for what is often treated as a tender subject.

Native Range

Native to moist, shaded rocky habitats — cliff faces, rock crevices, stream banks, and forest understory — across eastern China, Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu), and the Korean Peninsula, growing in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils in partial to full shade at low to mid elevations. Not native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Strawberry begonia is a versatile and visually striking plant for Pacific Northwest shade gardens, valued for its year-round silver-veined foliage, red stolons, and airy spring flowers. Effective as a groundcover beneath trees and shrubs, at the shaded border front, or planted at the edge of a wall or raised bed where the red stolons and plantlets can cascade. Exceptional in hanging baskets and containers as both an indoor and outdoor subject. Combines attractively with Heuchera, Epimedium, Hakonechloa, and shade-tolerant ferns. The golden-variegated cultivar 'Tricolor' (with cream and pink leaf margins) is particularly ornamental and widely available.

How to Identify

Strawberry begonia is identified by its rosettes of rounded to kidney-shaped leaves 1–4 inches (2.5–10 cm) across with a distinctive pattern of silvery-gray veins on a dark olive-green to gray-green upper surface and rich burgundy-red undersides. Long, slender, bright red stolons radiate outward from the rosette and produce small plantlets at their tips — a strawberry-like runner habit immediately diagnostic. In late spring, branching panicles 8–18 inches (20–45 cm) tall bear asymmetrical white flowers with two dramatically elongated lower petals and three small, yellow- and red-spotted upper petals.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'6"
Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green
silver

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Strawberry begonia blooms in late spring to early summer, typically May through June in Pacific Northwest gardens. Branching panicles 8–18 inches (20–45 cm) tall carry asymmetrical white flowers over three to five weeks. The two dramatically elongated lower petals give the flowers a distinctive spidery character. After flowering, the foliage and spreading stolons continue as the primary ornamental feature year-round. The silver-veined foliage and red runners are attractive in all seasons.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White; asymmetrical five petals — two elongated lower petals 0.5–0.75 inch (1.2–2 cm), three small upper petals spotted yellow and red

Foliage Description

Rounded to kidney-shaped; dark olive-green to gray-green above with prominent silvery-gray vein pattern; rich burgundy-red beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loampeatrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1–2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Strawberry begonia thrives in the cool, moist conditions of Pacific Northwest gardens and is excellent for shaded positions that receive no direct hot afternoon sun. Incorporate leaf mold at planting. Keep consistently moist during the growing season; tolerates brief drying between waterings once established. Remove spent flower stalks. Trim back stolons and plantlets that spread beyond their intended area. Protect from intense frost in colder Pacific Northwest locations (USDA Zone 6 and below) with a light mulch. Generally hardy to USDA Zone 6 outdoors in the Pacific Northwest; a reliable container and hanging basket plant year-round.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after flowering. Trim any dead or damaged leaves as needed. Cut back overly adventurous stolons to keep the plant within its intended area. No other pruning is required. The plant maintains itself well with minimal intervention.

Pruning Schedule

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Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Saxifraga stolonifera (strawberry begonia) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef