London Pride Plant Care

Saxifraga umbrosa L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Saxifraga umbrosa, called true London pride, none-so-pretty, king's feather, kiss-me-quick, leaf of St Patrick, look-up-and-kiss-me, mignonette of the French, Nancy-pretty, prattling Parnell, Pyrenean saxifrage, sailor plant, St Anne's needlework, St Patrick's cabbage, and whimsey, although some of these names may more properly belong to Saxifraga spathularis, or its hybrid with S. spathularis, Saxifraga × urbium, is a species of flowering plant in the family Saxifragaceae.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for London Pride?

Plant London Pride in bright indirect light (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 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 London Pride?

London Pride (Saxifraga umbrosa) belongs to the Saxifragaceae family within the Saxifraga genus. London Pride is native to the Pyrenees, and has been introduced else. London Pride is also known as None-so-pretty.

London Pride displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. London Pride produces small, star-shaped flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a London Pride?

Water a young or newly planted London Pride every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the London Pride Need?

London Pride thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing London Pride in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the London Pride Prefer?

Saxifraga umbrosa tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. London Pride prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a London Pride?

Well-draining soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for London Pride to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a London Pride?

Feed London Pride 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 London Pride?

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

London Pride 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 London Pride?

London Pride 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 London Pride?

Prune London Pride 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 London Pride in Winter?

London Pride 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 London Pride?

London Pride can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bronchial saxifrage plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the London Pride Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list London Pride, 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 London Pride?

London Pride 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 London Pride Need?

London Pride grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. London Pride is native to the Pyrenees, and has been introduced else. In cooler regions, grow London Pride as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

London Pride 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 Saxifraga genus — compare its care with other Saxifraga species on PlantoScan.

Saxifraga is part of the Saxifragaceae plant family — browse all Saxifragaceae genera and species.

London Pride thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Saxifraga Species

Other Saxifraga species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Saxifraga umbrosa L., family Saxifragaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. ed. 2 : 574 (1762)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list London Pride, 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.

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