How big does Mossy saxifrage grow?

About 15 cm × 30 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 10–23 cm × 15–30 cm.

What soil does Mossy saxifrage grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy.

Is Mossy saxifrage hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Mossy saxifrage flower?

Flowering: April–June, pink, red, white.

How much water does Mossy saxifrage need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

Mossy saxifrage

Saxifraga × arendsii

Mossy saxifrage (Saxifraga × arendsii) is a ground cover plant that reaches 15 cm × 30 cm after ten years. Light: part shade, shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about PLN 13.

Illustration of Mossy saxifrage — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A small perennial that forms tight, moss-like evergreen cushions, covered in spring with pink, red or white flowers on short stems. It suits rock gardens, wall tops, gaps between stones and pots, in a cooler, partly shaded spot with humus-rich but gritty, free-draining soil. It copes badly with scorching sun and drying out, so keep an eye on watering in summer.

Watch out for

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe it scorches and dries out in full sun, and in muggy heat the centre of the cushion rots and turns brown. Waterlogged, heavy soil brings root and rosette rot. In hard frost without snow cover a covering of conifer branches helps. Aphids, spider mites, slugs and vine weevil may appear.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 15 cm × 30 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, pink, red, white

All details

Group	Ground cover
Light	Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	15 cm × 30 cm
Ultimate size	10–23 cm × 15–30 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	April–June, pink, red, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	25 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about PLN 13

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 13

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants for shade Ground cover plants Plants for shade Evergreen plants Plants for containers

Guide on the topic

Ground cover plants against weeds: which goes where, and how many you need A ground cover keeps weeds out once it has closed up: until then, usually for two or three summers, it needs mulch and weeding. Under trees and in shade, lesser periwinkle, bigroot geranium, barrenwort and barren strawberry do best; in sunny, dry places stonecrops, thymes and creeping junipers. Most perennial ground covers take 9-18 plants per square metre. The tables work out what a square metre costs at today's shop prices in your country.

Looks good next to it

Aubrieta

Aubrieta × cultorum

Chinese anemone

Anemone hupehensis

Oakleaf hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia