This small evergreen plant from China and Japan spreads by means of long, thin red stolons which bear plantlets at their tips: the common name mother of thousands arises from the copious quantities of these small plants that are produced. It is also known as strawberry geranium.
The leaves are round, bristly, long- stalked, and .mid-green with silvery veins above, flushed red beneath. Branched flowering stems up to 16 in. (40 cm) long are produced m late summer and early fall, bearing clusters of white flowers. S.s. ‘Tricolor’ is less vigorous with its leaves edged cream with a pink flush.
Size: Height 8 in. (20 cm).
Light: Indirect sunlight or partial shade. S.s. ‘Tricolor’ needs direct sunlight for at least part of each day to ensure good coloration.
Temperature: Cool. S.s. ‘Tricolor’ needs normal room temperature.
Moisture: Keep thoroughly moist from spring to fall. In winter, apply only enough water to prevent the soil drying out.
Feeding: Use standard liquid fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Propagation: Root plantlets into small pots of soil before or after detaching from the parent plant. Special needs: In higher temperatures, increase the humidity using a tray of moist pebbles, but do not allow to stand in water or the roots will rot.