American Golden Saxifrage
Chrysosplenium americanum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
American Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium americanum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
high
Size
2"–8" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, CT, DE, GA and 22 more states
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
American golden saxifrage is a low-growing native groundcover that thrives in moist, shady areas. It produces small yellowish-green flowers in spring and forms a dense mat of heart-shaped leaves. This plant is ideal for wet spots where other groundcovers struggle to establish.
In an HOA neighborhood
American Golden Saxifrage takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Requires consistently moist soil which may appear overwatered
- Small stature and informal appearance may look unkempt
- Goes dormant in winter leaving bare patches
Wildlife value
This plant provides early season nectar for small native bees and beneficial insects. The dense foliage offers shelter for ground-dwelling beneficial insects and small wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does American Golden Saxifrage need?
- American Golden Saxifrage grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does American Golden Saxifrage bloom?
- American Golden Saxifrage blooms in April and May.
- Where is American Golden Saxifrage native?
- American Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium americanum) is native to AL, CT, DE, GA and 22 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is American Golden Saxifrage HOA-friendly?
- American Golden Saxifrage takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow American Golden Saxifrage? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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