Contact: Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture
Posted April 1997
The Strawberry Begonia, Saxifraga sarmentosa, is an old-time house plant that is becoming a popular perennial ground cover. It receives its name from its compact rosette of begonia-like leaves that sends out runners resembling a strawberry. It has a long flowering season, from spring to fall, with lacy clusters of pink or white flowers. The Strawberry Begonia spreads quickly when given sufficient moisture, and when fully established, it forms a dense, low mass. Plant in cool, moist, shaded conditions well after the last frost. It is at home under trees, along paths, between rocks, and can be used for terrace plantings where its runners can trail freely. This plant also can get by with a minimum amount of soil, so it can easily be tucked into small spaces at the base of walls or crevices. This plant grows well in the cooler climates of Virginia, but does need protection when 0 degrees F temperatures occur. It is a low-maintenance plant, requiring only the removal of dead flowers. It dies back to the roots in winter, making room for new growth in the spring. Strawberry Begonias can be propagated from seed, division, or by rooting the trailing rosettes.
(Originally published as "Strawberry Begonia: A Different Ground Cover," by Leighanne Starling, Extension Technician, in The Virginia Gardener Newsletter, Volume 9, Number 2.)
Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension test