How to Grow Waldsteinia ternata Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Barren Strawberry / Siberian waldsteinia

Waldsteinia ternata is a mat-forming plant that makes a great ground cover plant for the garden.

The plant is low maintenance, but can be tricky to get established.

Waldsteinia Ternata plants photograph by enbodenumer; CC.

It is able to grow in partial shade (preferable) and full sun, and prefers to grow in a sheltered location with a fairly fertile soil that is not overly alkaline.

Barren Strawberry photograph by Agnieszka Kwiecień, Creative Commons.

The common name for this plant is the Barren Strawberry, though it is also referred to as Ternate or Siberian waldsteinia.

The native growing range for this plant ranges from central Europe to East Asia.

This low growing, carpet forming, semi-evergreen plant naturally grows in clumps, and can easily spread from its stolon or rhizomes.

Although this is ideal for a ground cover plant, please be aware that it may take a little effort to control and may become invasive in some areas, so please check you local area growing recommendations before growing in the garden.

As the spreading of Barren Strawberry has a steady nature, it is not considered invasive in Europe.

Plants usually reach about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in height, and after about five years of growth can reach a width of up to two feet (60 cm).

Waldsteinia Ternata photograph by Ivan Forsman, CC.

Waldsteinia ternata gets its common name from its leaves, which have three leaflets and resemble those of strawberries. The leaves are shiny, green, and grow as a rosette.

Waldsteinia ternata leaves, image by andreasbalzer; CC.

The plant blooms from April to June in its native range. Plants carry a solitary saucer-shaped flower with five petals that is carried above the main leaves. Flowers are about 2/3rd inch (1.5 cm) in diameter. Once blooming has completed, the plant bears an inedible berry.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Waldsteinia Ternata. You may also enjoy the following garden plant growing guides: Hibiscus plants and Polyantha Roses.