YardMate
Siberian Barren Strawberry
Waldsteinia ternata
Easy · Beginner friendlyAbout Siberian Barren Strawberry
Barren Strawberry is a tough evergreen groundcover reaching 3-6 inches tall with glossy strawberry-like three-parted leaves and bright yellow five-petaled flowers in spring. Non-fruiting (hence 'barren') but provides excellent dense evergreen groundcover in shade. Spreads by runners to form solid carpets, ideal for shady slopes and beneath trees in Northeast and Midwest US gardens.
- Shade-tolerant
- Deer-resistant
- Evergreen
- Groundcover
How to care for Siberian Barren Strawberry
Watering
- Springevery 10 days
- Summerevery 10 days
- Fallevery 14 days
- Winterevery 30 days
Soil · Well-draining
- Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
- Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
- DrainageLECA / gravel20%
Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.
FERTILIZER
- Springevery 60 days
At a Glance
- NativeEurope, Mediterranean, East Asia
- Height0.3–0.5 ft (0.1–0.2 m)
- Spread1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m)
- Flower colorYellow
- Foliage colorGreen, Bronze
- SoilWell-drained, Loamy, Moisture-retentive
- LocationsYard
Bloom time
BLOOM CYCLE
Peak bloom
Apr–May
Yellow flowers April to May
Toxicity
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant.
Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
DISTRIBUTION
- Native
- Introduced
- Europe
- Mediterranean
- East Asia
History
Waldsteinia ternata, Siberian barren strawberry or trefoil barrenwort, is a low-growing evergreen perennial in the rose family (Rosaceae) native to a remarkably disjunct range spanning central Europe (Carpathians), eastern Siberia, Korea, and northern Japan. Russian botanist Christian von Stephan first described it as Dalibarda ternata in 1800; Austrian botanist Karl Fritsch transferred it to Waldsteinia in 1889. The genus honors Austrian botanist and plant collector Franz de Paula Adam von Waldstein (1759-1823).
The plant forms dense 10-15 cm tall mats of glossy trifoliate leaves that resemble strawberry foliage and stay evergreen in mild winters, bronzing in cold. Bright yellow 1.5-2 cm five-petaled flowers appear in mid-spring.
Unlike true strawberries, the small dry fruits are not edible, giving it the name 'barren strawberry'. Valued as a tough deer-resistant groundcover for partial shade and dry woodland, spreading slowly by rhizomes to form weed-suppressing sheets. Popular in US shade gardens since the mid-20th century for its evergreen toughness and deer resistance.
Symbolism & meaning
What It Symbolizes
Siberian Barren Strawberry embodies Quiet loyalty — a steady evergreen carpet that holds its leaves through winter while flashier groundcovers retreat. Yet it also carries a Deceptive charm, its yellow flowers and trifoliate leaves looking unmistakably like strawberry, although no fruit ever follows. A plant that keeps its promises of foliage but politely declines the dessert course.
- Quiet loyalty — steady evergreen presence
- Deceptive charm — looks like strawberry but gives no fruit
Where the Name Comes From
The name Siberian Barren Strawberry points to Siberia or cold northern Asia. Genus honors Franz von Waldstein, Austrian botanist; 'ternata' means arranged in threes, referring to leaflets.
Uses & Fun Facts
- Strawberry-like evergreen mat carpets shaded slopes
- Yellow spring flowers stud glossy trifoliate leaves
Related plants
Plants with similar care
Red BuckeyeAesculus pavia
Blue BugleAjuga genevensis
Pyramidal BugleAjuga pyramidalis
Carpet BugleAjuga reptans
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Siberian Barren Strawberry?
In summer, water about every 10 days; in winter, about every 30 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.
How much light does Siberian Barren Strawberry need?
Part shade: 2–4 hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.
Is Siberian Barren Strawberry toxic to cats or dogs?
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant. Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
Is Siberian Barren Strawberry easy to grow?
Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.
When does Siberian Barren Strawberry bloom?
It typically blooms Apr–May in the Northern Hemisphere.
YardMate
Identify any plant in seconds
Snap a photo — YardMate names the plant, diagnoses problems, and reminds you when to water.
Download on the App Store