Common Cinquefoil
Potentilla simplex
A low-growing herbaceous perennial with slender, trailing stems and palmately compound leaves typically divided into five leaflets with serrated margins.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Moderate watering frequency; allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Exhibits moderate drought tolerance once established.
- Growth
- Perennial ground cover with prostrate, trailing stems that can root at the nodes. Reaches a height of 2 to 6 inches and spreads outward up to 2 feet or more.
Care instructions
Grow in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Water moderately when the top inch of soil is dry, and feed lightly with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Moderate watering frequency; allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Exhibits moderate drought tolerance once established.
Soil
Adaptable to various well-draining soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay-based soils, with a preferred pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
Growth habit
Perennial ground cover with prostrate, trailing stems that can root at the nodes. Reaches a height of 2 to 6 inches and spreads outward up to 2 feet or more.
Bloom season
Flowers in spring to early summer, producing solitary, bright yellow five-petaled flowers.
Propagation
Propagated easily through division of established root clumps in spring or autumn, or by rooting the trailing stems where they touch the ground.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but can occasionally be affected by leaf spot or powdery mildew in overly damp conditions. Ensure proper spacing and good air circulation.
Similar species
Can be confused with other Potentilla species or strawberry plants (Fragaria), but distinguished by its five leaflets and yellow flowers lacking the runners typical of true strawberries.