PlantFun
Plant Needs
Characteristics
- Leaves: Basal rosette of kidney-shaped to rounded leaves with crenate (scalloped) margins, somewhat fleshy and covered in glandular hairs; stem leaves are smaller and fewer.
- Flowers: Loose terminal panicles of white flowers; 5 petals, up to 15 mm across, often with faint greenish-yellow veins at the base, and 10 stamens.
- Stem and Roots: Erect, hairy stems; distinctive small, bulb-like resting buds (bulbils or granules) form at the base of the stem and roots, aiding in vegetative reproduction.
Care Guide
Keep the soil evenly moist during active growth and blooming, but avoid waterlogging.
Apply a light, balanced organic top-dressing as new growth appears.. Requires very little feeding; over-fertilizing can lead to weak, floppy growth.
Eggshell Tea：Crush clean, dry eggshells and steep in water for a few days. Use the strained liquid to water the plant, providing gentle calcium without harsh salts or odors.- Deadheading: Remove spent flower stalks at the base to keep the plant tidy and redirect energy to the roots.
- Foliage Care: Leave the basal rosette of leaves intact until they naturally die back, as they gather energy for the bulbils.
- Division: Divide the clumps and bulbils every few years in late summer or early autumn to prevent overcrowding.
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats per general botanical safety guidelines for this genus.
Humans: Generally considered non-toxic; historically used in traditional herbal remedies.
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: In European history, the plant was heavily associated with the "Doctrine of Signatures." Because its root bulbils resembled small stones, it was believed to be a cure for kidney stones, earning it the name "stone-breaker."
Usage: Commonly used in rock gardens, alpine troughs, and naturalized meadow plantings for spring interest.