Mother of thousands

Mother of thousands: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Low, mat-forming plant about 20 cm tall and 40 cm wide, with long red runners.

Foliage

Round, hairy, green with silvery-white veins; the underside is reddish. Evergreen.

Flower

Loose sprays of white flowers with five petals, the two lower ones much longer. From June to July.

Roots

Shallow. The plantlets on the runners root by themselves where they touch the soil.

Flowering: June–July · Plants: April–May and September · Pruning: April

Why grow it?

• A pretty ground cover for shade, with round, silver-veined leaves that stay all year.
• Thread-like red runners with plantlets give a playful, trailing look.
• Loose sprays of white flowers in June–July.
• Also usable as a hanging plant or houseplant, in a bright spot without full sun.
• Very easy to propagate with the plantlets on the runners.

Mother of thousands: where does it grow best?

• Partial shade, sheltered from cold wind and frost; in full sun the leaves scorch.
• Humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil: loam or clay, acid to neutral.
• Moderately moist; it tolerates neither long drought nor wet feet.
• Allow 30–40 cm per plant.
• Indoors: a bright spot without full midday sun, at room temperature or slightly cooler, for example in a hanging pot.

Light

Partial shade and shade

Soil type

Loam or clay

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Moisture

Normal

Size

0.2 m tall, 0.4 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -15 °C)

Goes well with

• Ferns: A fresh, green shade planting.
• Hosta: Large leaves that contrast with the small round leaves.
• Coral bells: Heuchera with coloured foliage for the same partial shade.

Mother of thousands: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May and September.

1. Plant outdoors in April–May or in September, once the risk of frost has passed.
2. Mix a few spadefuls of compost or leaf mould into the soil of the planting hole.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil.
4. Leave 30–40 cm between plants; the runners soon fill the gaps.
5. Water thoroughly straight away and keep the soil moist in the first year.
6. Spread a thin layer of leaf mould around the plants, keeping the rosettes clear.

Care

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist, not wet. Indoors, keep the potting compost lightly moist and empty excess water from the saucer.

Feeding

Outdoors a thin layer of compost in spring is enough. Indoors, a little liquid plant food every few weeks during the growing season.

Mulching

A thin layer of leaf mould keeps the soil moist and protects against frost in winter.

Runners

Leave them hanging for effect or cut them off if the plant spreads too far.

Repotting

Indoors every 1–2 years in spring, into a larger pot with fresh, free-draining compost.

Tip: Plant it in a sheltered shady spot or hang it indoors in a bright place. Shorten the runners if it spreads too far and use the plantlets for new plants.

Mother of thousands: when to prune it?

Pruning months: April.

When: In April, once the risk of hard frost has passed.

How:

• It is hardly pruned: only cut away damaged or frosted leaves and spent flower stems.
• Shorten runners that are too long or take the young plantlets for new plants.
• Use sharp secateurs and clear away the clippings.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Plantlets on the runners

From May to August, pin the plantlets on the red runners onto moist potting compost; after a few weeks they have roots and can be separated.

Division

In April–May, divide the clump into pieces with roots and leaves and replant at once.

Mother of thousands: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −15 °C: protect young plants.

• Frost limit about −15 °C: outdoors only in a sheltered spot, with a layer of leaves or compost over the clump.
• In hard frost the leaves may turn brown; it often grows back in spring.
• In a pot: bring it in before the first hard frost to a cool, bright place and water sparingly.

Diseases and pests

• Frost damage: Leaves turn brown or black after hard frost. Cut them off in April; a sheltered spot and a mulch layer prevent it.
• Slugs: They eat the leaves. Collect them in the evening and protect the plants.
• Spider mite and aphids: Mainly indoors, in dry air: fine webs or sticky shoots. Rinse off with water and raise the humidity.
• Rot from overwatering: The plant becomes soft at the base. Water less and ensure good drainage.

Through the year

• March: Indoors: repot if needed. Water sparingly.
• April: Tidy and prune. Plant outdoors once frost is over.
• May: Plant. Apply mulch. Watch for slugs.
• June: Flowering begins. Pin down runners.
• July: In flower. Detach young plantlets.
• August: Water in dry weather.
• September: Plant. Spread young plantlets.
• October: Bring pots in before the first frost.
• November: Protective layer of leaves or compost.
• December: Dormant.

Did you know?

• It is also called ‘strawberry begonia’, although it is related to neither strawberries nor begonias.
• It was long sold under the name Saxifraga sarmentosa, an older name for the same plant.