How to Care for Strawberry Begonias

Despite its name, strawberry begonia is neither a strawberry nor a begonia plant. It is an attractive houseplant with the scientific name Saxifraga sarmentosa (S. stolonifera). It is low-growing and spreads by sending out runners from which new little plants grow, like a strawberry plant. This tendency gives rise to another name for the same plant: Mother-of-Thousands. Whatever you call your plant, a simple program of care will keep it fresh and beautiful.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Houseplant fertilizer
• Scissors
• Flowerpots
• Sterile potting mix
• Compost
• Tray
• Gravel
• Insecticidal soap
• Spray bottle

1. Set your strawberry begonia plant near a window in an area of medium to high brightness. Place the plant in a position where direct sunrays or heat from the window will not damage the leaves.
2. Water the plant when the top half-inch of the soil is dry. Poke a finger into the dirt to test the level of dampness. Pour in water at root level, not over the leaves, until it begins to drip through the pot’s drainage holes.
3. Feed strawberry begonias once a month. Use an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer with a 20-20-20, 5-10-5 or 7-7-7 formulation. Dilute in accordance with the manufacturer’s label instructions and apply around the plant’s roots.
4. Trim the runners off the strawberry begonia once the new plants at the tip are one inch across. Use small scissors to make a clean cut and avoid nicking leaves. Place the tiny new plants in sterile potting soil and water frequently to start new plants.
5. Repot your strawberry begonia in the spring. Select a pot one inch larger than the current pot and ensure it has a drainage hole. Fill the new pot halfway with a 50:50 mix of sterile potting soil and compost. Moisten the soil and tip the plant out of the old pot. Set the strawberry begonia in the new pot and fill with potting soil. Water immediately.
6. Wash away any pests or insects that may infest the plant by squirting with a diluted mixture of insecticidal soap and water from a spray bottle.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase humidity around strawberry begonias in rooms that have dry heat. Fill a low tray with gravel, set the plant pot on the gravel, and keep one inch of water in the bottom of the tray.