Saxifraga stolonifera
Origin
Native to China and Japan
General Care
Light
Bright filtered. Benefits from some direct morning sun (1-2 hrs) but avoid intense afternoon sun, which scorches leaves and ruins leaf colour.
Temperature
10-24°C. Keep above 7°C. Above 18°C, humidity is essential. Give a rest at 10-13°C (winter). Protect from hot and cold drafts.
Humidity
Average to higher. For extra humidity: place pot on moist pebbles in a tray, group with other plants, or, introduce a humidifier. Do not mist leaves.
Water
Weekly. Water moderately (spring-summer) and allow thoroughly moist potting mix to dry within top 1-2”. Water more sparingly (winter) and allow barely moist mix to dry almost fully. Always check moisture level before watering. Aerate mix to improve its condition.
Fertilizer
Once a month (spring-fall). Use organic houseplant fertilizer, according to package instructions.
Maintenance
Every 1-2 weeks, rotate plant to ensure even growth. Every 1-2 months, dust leaves with a soft, dry paintbrush or toothbrush and inspect for pests, when doing so. Remove spent leaves.
Potting and Repotting
Soil-based potting mix. Every year (spring) move plant into a planter 1-2” larger (diameter and depth); or, repot in the same planter, using new potting mix, after cleaning planter and partially trimming back roots and foliage.
Special Points/Common Problems:
- After 3-4 years, mature plants become scraggly. Propagate from pups or plantlets found on hanging stems or stolons. Using sterile shears, detach from parent and plant individually in 2-3” pots containing mix of 1 part peat and 1 part coarse sand. In bright filtered light, keep warm and keep mix barely moist. Once roots are formed, move into pots of soil-based mix and treat as mature plants