Saxifraga Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 6th Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Saxifraga plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Rockfoil, and Saxifrage: Cultivation & Garden Use

Members of Saxifraga are hardy perennials.

The type of Saxifraga grown in gardens are usually rosette plants that can reach from 10 to 30 cm (4 inches to 12 inches) in height.

The time of blooming is species dependent, ranging from the end of spring through to autumn.

Saxifraga cotyledon by digital cat.

They usually have small white, pink or red flowers.

Some common names for members of this genus include Saxifrage, Rockfoil, Mukdenia, and London Pride.

Commonly Grown Saxifraga Species

Saxifraga arendsii: Mossy saxifrage

Saxifraga arendsii cv. Touran White photograph by Andrey Zharkikh; CC.

Saxifraga granulata: Meadow saxifrage

Saxifraga granulata photograph by Andreas Rockstein; CC.

Saxifraga oppositifolia: Purple Saxifrage, Purple Mountain Saxifrage

Saxifraga oppositifolia photograph by Harald Groven; CC.

Saxifraga stolonifera: Creeping saxifrage, strawberry saxifrage

Saxifraga stolonifera cv. 'Cuscutiformis' photograph by Peter Stevens; CC.

Saxifraga paniculata: Alpine saxifrage, Silver saxifrage, Lifelong saxifrage

Saxifraga paniculata photograph by Andrea Biondi; CC.

Common Garden Questions about Saxifrages and Rockfoils

What is Saxifraga?

Saxifraga is a large genus of predominantly perennial plants that are native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are commonly referred to as Saxifrage or Rockfoil plants.

Due to the large amounts of species in this genus (440) there is a large variation in both form and lifecycles.

In addition to their use as an ornamental garden plant, some species have culinary use, with both leaves and flowers being used in tinctures.

Plants typically have rosette leaves at their base, but these may be succulent, needle, or even hairy. These leaf forms help the plant to preserve water through reduced rates of evaporation.

From the rosette shoots an inflorescence, which typically carries a cluster of single flowers.

Saxifraga flowers usually have five petals. The large number of species and cultivars means that there is a large variation in petal color, including white, red, yellow, and pink.

What is a good location in the garden for Saxifraga?

Saxifraga are often used as an attractive ground cover plant in sunny and partially shaded areas. Their small size also makes them ideal for use in Rock gardens an in old walls.

Some species, such as Saxifraga umbrosa (St. Patrick's Cabbage), have very attractive leaves that look great as part of an alpine garden. Photograph by Drew Avery; CC.

How tall are Saxifraga plants?

They are typically low-growing spreading plants, reaching heights of about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches), but some species can reach 30 cm (1 foot) in height.

When do Saxifraga bloom?

Typically in Summer, but with 440 species it is not surprising to learn that some species bloom in mid-spring, while other do not come into flower until August.

Do Saxifraga come back every year?

Most commonly grown Saxifraga plants are hardy evergreen perennials, so should flower year on year.

How to Grow Saxifrage and other Saxifraga

When growing Saxifraga plant species from seed it is probably easiest to sow outdoors in flats in the spring.

First the seeds should be sown into flats (lightly cover the seeds) then imbibed by placing the flats in a black bag, then placing in the fridge for three weeks. The flats should then be sank into a shady part of the garden and covered with glass.

Germination should take from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. Transplant the seedlings into their final location as they appear; this should be a fully or partially shaded part of the garden that has good drainage.

Ideally the soil that they grow in should be gritty or sandy, and both moist and cool. The plants should be spaced at 10 cm / 4 inches (small), 25 cm / 10 inches (medium) or 40 cm / 16 inches (large Saxifraga varieties) apart.

Caring for Saxifraga

It is easy to look after Saxifrage and related plants. They like a moist soil, so keep well watered during dry periods. If you require more plants, then use the root runners that they produce for propagation.

Mukdenia is closely related to Saxifraga and belongs to the same family: Saxifragaceae

More FAQ's

How many members does the Saxifraga genus have?

The Saxifraga genus, also known as saxifrages or rockfoils, is quite large, with approximately 440 species.

Do members of Saxifraga make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, the Saxifraga species are often used in gardens for their ability to grow in rocky and challenging environments, creating beautiful carpets of flowers and foliage.

Which Saxifraga species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

The most frequently grown species by gardeners include Saxifraga arendsii (Mossy Saxifrage) and Saxifraga paniculata (White Mountain Saxifrage).

Are members of the Saxifraga plant genus fragrant?

While some Saxifraga species may have a mild fragrance, they are typically grown for their attractive, low-growing habit and their flowers, rather than for their scent.

What is the perfect location to grow Saxifraga?

Saxifraga prefer cooler climates, part shade to full sun, and well-drained soil. They are ideal for rock gardens, crevices, and alpine houses.

Is Saxifraga invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Currently, Saxifraga is not considered invasive in the USA. Always check with local regulations for the most current information.

How do I remove Saxifraga plants from my garden?

To remove Saxifraga, carefully uproot the plant ensuring that you remove the entire root system. Use a trowel or a garden fork to aid in this process.

Summary

The Saxifraga genus is a large group of perennial plants native to cool temperate and arctic regions. They are celebrated for their attractive, often finely detailed leaves and clusters of small flowers.

Saxifraga species are typically grown from seeds or division in early spring or autumn. They prefer partial shade and well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Regular watering is needed, but ensure the soil does not become waterlogged to prevent root rot.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Saxifraga plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Fringe cups and Bergenia plants.