Chinese Golden Saxifrage Plant Care
Chrysosplenium sinicum Maxim.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chrysosplenium sinicum is a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family. It was first described by Karl Maximovich in 1877.
Every 3–5 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Plant Chinese Golden Saxifrage in partial to full shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Chinese Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium sinicum) belongs to the Saxifragaceae family within the Chrysosplenium genus.
Chinese Golden Saxifrage displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Chinese Golden Saxifrage produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Water a young or newly planted Chinese Golden Saxifrage every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Chinese Golden Saxifrage Need?
Chinese Golden Saxifrage thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 50–200 lux. Avoid placing Chinese Golden Saxifrage in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
50–200 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese Golden Saxifrage Prefer?
Chrysosplenium sinicum tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Chinese Golden Saxifrage prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Golden Saxifrage to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Feed Chinese Golden Saxifrage every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Choose a spot with partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Chinese Golden Saxifrage is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Chinese Golden Saxifrage can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Prune Chinese Golden Saxifrage while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Chinese Golden Saxifrage in Winter?
Chinese Golden Saxifrage is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Chinese Golden Saxifrage can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american golden saxifrage plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Golden Saxifrage Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chinese Golden Saxifrage, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Chinese Golden Saxifrage?
Chinese Golden Saxifrage is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Chinese Golden Saxifrage Need?
Chinese Golden Saxifrage grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Golden Saxifrage as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Chinese Golden Saxifrage is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Chrysosplenium genus — compare its care with other Chrysosplenium species on PlantoScan.
Chrysosplenium is part of the Saxifragaceae plant family — browse all Saxifragaceae genera and species.
Chinese Golden Saxifrage copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Chrysosplenium Species
Other Chrysosplenium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chrysosplenium sinicum Maxim., family Saxifragaceae (first published in Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg , sér. 3, 23: 348 (1877)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chinese Golden Saxifrage, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
