Burnet-saxifrage Plant Care
Pimpinella saxifraga L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pimpinella saxifraga, known as burnet-saxifrage, solidstem burnet saxifrage, lesser burnet is a plant species in the family Apiaceae, a native of the British Isles and temperate Europe and Western Asia. It is neither a burnet, which its leaves resemble, nor a saxifrage although it has a similar herbal effect as a diuretic.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Burnet-saxifrage?
Water Burnet-saxifrage every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Burnet-saxifrage?
Burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Pimpinella genus. Burnet-saxifrage is also known as Salad burnet, Greater burnet-saxifrage.
Burnet-saxifrage displays an upright, clumping herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Burnet-saxifrage produces small white or pink umbels.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Burnet-saxifrage?
Pimpinella saxifraga requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Burnet-saxifrage Need?
Burnet-saxifrage thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Burnet-saxifrage Prefer?
Pimpinella saxifraga grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Burnet-saxifrage prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Burnet-saxifrage?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Burnet-saxifrage to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Burnet-saxifrage?
Feed Burnet-saxifrage every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Burnet-saxifrage?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Burnet-saxifrage?
Burnet-saxifrage can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to anise plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Burnet-saxifrage Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Burnet-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 Burnet-saxifrage?
Burnet-saxifrage is susceptible to aphids, carrot rust fly, leaf miners. 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 Burnet-saxifrage Need?
Burnet-saxifrage grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Burnet-saxifrage as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Burnet-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 Pimpinella genus — compare its care with other Pimpinella species on PlantoScan.
Pimpinella is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Burnet-saxifrage thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pimpinella saxifraga L., family Apiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 163 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Burnet-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.
Identify Plants Like the
Burnet-saxifrage Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species