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Begonia

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Begoniaceae

KNOWN AS: Begonia

CLIMATE (LOCATION): Tropical & Subtropical Regions Worldwide

DESCRIPTION: The Begonia is a beautiful and highly diverse plant with thousands of varieties. They are cherished for their stunning foliage, which can feature a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures, as well as their delicate and vibrant flowers. Begonias are a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor gardens.

Begonia Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: High Light (Bright Indirect Light)

Begonias thrive in bright, indirect light. The amount of light needed can vary by species, but generally, they should be placed in a location where they receive plenty of filtered light without any direct sunlight, which can easily burn their delicate leaves.

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Watering

Quick Tip: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry.

Begonias prefer to have their soil kept consistently moist but are highly susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Water thoroughly when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch, and be sure to empty any excess water from the saucer. Reduce watering in the fall and winter dormant season.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 65º - 75º

Begonias prefer warm, stable temperatures. The ideal range is between 65-75°F. They are sensitive to cold, so keep your plant away from drafts and sudden temperature changes.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 50 - 60%; Moderate Humidity

Begonias thrive in high humidity. You can increase the humidity around your plant by using a humidifier, misting its leaves, or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles with water.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
Begonias are easily propagated by stem or leaf cuttings. Take a healthy stem cutting and root it in a moist potting mix. A single leaf can be rooted in moist soil or even a glass of water.
Toxicity
"The Begonia is toxic to humans and pets. The most toxic part of the plant is the root system. Ingesting any part of the plant can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is important to keep the Begonia out of reach of children and pets. "
Repotting
Repotting a Begonia is best done when the plant has become root-bound. The best time to repot is in the spring or summer. Select a new pot that is only slightly larger than the old one and has drainage holes. Use fresh, well-draining soil and carefully place the plant in the new pot, filling in the sides with fresh soil.
Pruning
Pruning is an important task to maintain the shape and health of your Begonia. Trim away any leggy stems, and remove dead, damaged, or yellowing leaves. Use clean, sharp shears to make cuts just above a leaf node. This encourages a fuller, bushier plant.
Fertilizer
Begonias benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season. A balanced, liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength is ideal. Fertilize every two to four weeks during the spring and summer growing season. Do not fertilize during the fall and winter.
Soil
The right soil is crucial for a healthy Begonia. The plant prefers a well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A good mix is potting soil amended with perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. This mix helps the soil retain some moisture while draining excess water to prevent root rot.

Hanging Heights

Begonia Lighting Requirements: High Light (Bright Indirect Light)

A Pink Princess Philodendron isn't the plant you want to experiment on with a pair of dull scissors and no plan. Between the price tag and the fact that its pink coloring can be a little unpredictable, it's fair to feel more cautious cutting into this one than you would a pothos. The good news is that propagating a Pink Princess is genuinely simple once you understand the one thing that trips most people up: the pink pattern on your cutting isn't guaranteed to look exactly like the parent plant.

If your plant hasn't put out a new leaf in a while, or the leaves it is growing are small, pale, and spaced far apart on a stretched-out stem, it can feel like it's just stalled for no reason. It's not. Slow or leggy growth is almost always your plant telling you something specific, and once you know what to look for, the fix is usually simple.

If your Monstera's new leaves keep coming in solid, round, and nothing like the dramatic split leaves you've seen on other people's plants, you're probably wondering what you're doing wrong. Likely nothing. Leaf splitting, technically called fenestration, depends on a handful of specific conditions coming together, and when even one of them isn't quite right yet, your Monstera will keep producing solid leaves until it is.