Tropicalbegonia

Varieties we grow

Amphioxus

Tiny, narrow, pointed leaves with pink spots; ideal for small pots.

Beauty

Rex type with silver leaves edged in purple; forms a rounded mound.

Black Mamba

Very dark, almost black leaves on green stems; compact habit.

Geometry

Leaves with an unusual shape and a geometric-looking pattern; forms a rounded mound.

Red Slippers

Red leaves with a dark pattern in the center and a distinctive shape.

Snow Capped

Cane type with small leaves speckled with silvery white dots; fast-growing.

Maculata

The polka dot begonia; dark, lopsided leaves with silver dots and deep red undersides.

Maculata Pink Spot

Cane type with smaller dark green leaves and reddish-silver spots.

Iron Cross

Large, puckered, hairy green leaves with a brown cross in the center.

African Jungle

Rex type with pointed green leaves, silver-gray flecks, a dark red center and reddish stems.

Escargot

Rex type with leaves that curl into a snail-like spiral.

Black Velvet

Rhizomatous begonia with dark, velvety leaves.

Light

It needs plenty of brightness but no direct sun, which scorches the leaves and stunts growth. A bright window with a sheer curtain is ideal. Spiral-leaved types such as Escargot prefer a little more shade.

Watering

Water when the top inch is dry, pouring the water onto the soil rather than over the leaves. It likes moisture, but if the roots sit in water they rot very quickly. Always empty the saucer.

Soil and pot

Use a light, airy mix with perlite or coco coir, in a well-draining pot that isn't too big. Rex and compact begonias look best in small pots. If the polka dot begonia gets leggy, pinch the tips so it branches.

Humidity and temperature

It grows best between 68 and 86 °F (20–30 °C) with medium to high humidity. To raise humidity, set the pot on a tray of pebbles and water or group it with other plants. Don't mist the leaves, as that invites fungus.

In the Dominican Republic

Our heat suits it, but the sun here is far too strong for it; on a porch, keep it in the shade and under a roof. During the rainy season protect it from downpours, because leaves that stay wet for long get spots and white powder. Indoors, keep it away from the air conditioning, which dries out the leaf edges.

Also known as

Begonia

Common Spanish name

Begonia de hoja

Common Spanish name (foliage begonias)

Begonia de lunares

Common Spanish name (B. maculata)

Begonia alas de ángel

Common Spanish name (cane begonias)

Begonia rex

Common Spanish name (painted-leaf begonias)

Polka dot begonia

Common English name (B. maculata)

Angel wing begonia

Common English name (cane begonias)

Rex begonia

Common English name (painted-leaf begonias)

Common problems

• White powder on the leaves→Powdery mildew, a fungus; remove affected leaves, keep the foliage dry and improve airflow.
• Black, mushy stems at the base→Rot from overwatering; let the soil dry, water less and check the drainage.
• Dry or scorched patches on the leaves→It's getting direct sun; move it to filtered light.
• Fine webbing and yellow speckles on the undersides→Spider mites; wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and apply insecticidal soap.