Strawberry begonias are native plants to eastern Asia. Their scientific name is Saxifraga stolonifera. Sometimes they are referred to as Mother of Thousands, because they are always producing runners or stolons. The other common names are Rockfoil, or Strawberry Geranium.
Strawberry begonias are hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 9 where they grow as a ground cover. For everyone who lives in zones lower than 6, this plant makes an attractive houseplant. Thin stems suspend the stolons, at lengths of 12 to 24 inches. This plant looks nice in a pot suspended in a plant stand, or in a hanging basket.
The foliage is dark green with silver veins, and on the underside, it is burgundy. They have a hairy feeling. The flowers are star-shaped; growing on tall stems may appear in the summer.
Growing and maintaining this plant is easy for the beginning or average gardener. All you need is the right location, proper lighting and the right amount of moisture. If all this sounds complicated, don’t worry. This article will help you through.
Soil
Repot your strawberry begonia in the spring into the next size larger pot. They are fast growing plants and can outgrow their containers. If you repot your plant, use a well-drained soil. If you want the mother to produce babies, it needs to be rootbound.
Indoor Care
During the wintertime, find a window that offers bright, but indirect sunlight. Place the pot in an east or north facing window. If your strawberry begonia is receiving too much sun, it will tell you, because the leaf colors will fade. The average temperature for this plant is 50 to 55° Fahrenheit. Place a humidifier in the room to raise humidity and keep spider mites away. If you don’t have a humidifier, fill a bowl with rocks. Pour water in the bowl. If you set a pot on top, make sure the water level remains below the top surface of the rocks.
In the summer, take the plant outdoors for some fresh air. A good place to put your potted strawberry begonia is on a protected porch or deck where it will receive protection from the wind and it should be out of the full sun exposure. Take the plant indoors when the temperatures fall below 55° Fahrenheit. They can grow well in 50° Fahrenheit temperatures, but I feel it is better to bring them in before the temperatures fall that low.
Watering
During the summer months while the plant is actively growing, it will need watering more often. In the winter, when strawberry begonias enter their dormancy or rest period, cut back on the watering and allow the soil to dry out slightly. They don’t take in as much moisture as they do in the summer. This is the time where people tend to over water their plants, causing them to rot and die. Do not allow the soil to dry out because if the roots become dry, you plant could die. Give your strawberry begonia too much water and the plant may rot. For a better idea on watering, insert your finger into the soil. If the top inch feels dry, give it some water. Drooping or limp foliage is another sign that it needs water.
Fertilizing
Feed your strawberry begonia with a balanced fertilizer while it is actively growing in the spring and summer months. Mix and follow label directions for the amounts and times to feed your plant. If you have any doubts, only use half the recommended strength suggested on the label.
Inspect your plants for spider mites. These insects are tiny and you need a magnifying glass to see them. There are some signs to look for when determining if your plant has a spider mite problem. The new leaves will be a paler green than normal. There will be fine webbing on the underside of the leaves. If your plant has any of these symptoms, isolate the plant immediately. Otherwise, the spider mites will move on to your other plants and a small problem becomes a big one. Spider mites lay eggs and reproduce every three to seven days.
Mix up equal amounts of rubbing alcohol and water together. You can add a squirt of liquid dish soap to the mixture. Spray the plant to the point of runoff, paying attention to the underside of the leaves. You can also use Azamax to treat the problem. Read and follow the label directions for proper amounts.
