Begonia: General Care

What is a Begonia?

Begonia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae, native to most parts of the tropics and sub-tropics, from Central and South America through Africa and into SouthEast Asia. It was named by Charles Plumier in the 1700s after the French governor Michael Begon. They are popular for their wide range of blooms, leaf shapes and colours. 

How to care for Begonia

Begonias are among the fussier popular houseplants, but not due to strict care requirements, more due to the rate at which they suffer when they suffer. If you follow the guide, your Begonia should thrive without much work at all!

Watering: Being from temperate and tropical areas, Begonias prefer a humid or temperate environment. Resultantly, it is best to keep the soil slightly moist, but in waterlogged soil a Begonia will suffer from root rot very quickly, so it is best to check before watering. Equally, a Begonia will suffer quickly when thirsty, so try to maintain a good balance.

Potting: If planted in a chunkier mix, with inclusions to help loosen up the soil like perlite or pumice, Begonias will have plenty of root space, while also allowing lots of water to pass through. Pine bark can be added to help absorb excess water and contribute to the chunkiness of the mix.

Light: Being primarily forest-floor plants in their native habitats, Begonias do well in fully shaded areas, provided the room has some natural light source. However, for the best results, bright indirect light is sought, and can encourage the plant to bloom.

Feeding: Feed Begonias during periods of active growth, perhaps every 3 or 4 waterings in the summer months only. Begonias go dormant in the winter and will not actively seek out nutrients. Start feeding again in the Spring!

Pests: Begonias unfortunately can be susceptible to thrip, spider mites or mealybug attacks. Check your plant regularly and if discovered, treat according to our guide here.

Potential Issues with Begonia:

Wilting: When underwatered, a begonia may wilt dramatically. This is a definite sign that it needs watering. If this is the case, give it a drink and it will quickly perk itself back up again. Try not to allow this to happen, as the process requires a lot of energy for the plant.

Leaf browning: Begonia leaves can go brown for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes it can be due to leaf scorch, in which case the leaves with go a crispy brown, usually in the most exposed areas of the plant. It can also be due to overwatering, in which case the leaves will go a mushy brown and become malleable and soft instead of crispy and delicate.

Begonia species to check out:

Begonias are commonly hybridised to produce a large variety of colours, shapes and styles. The list below is comprised of hybrid and defined species that are popular and great to look at!

Begonia maculata

Begonia rex 

Begonia metallica

Begonia brevirimosa

Begonia coccinea

Begonia ‘Snowcap’

Begonia ‘Escargot’

Begonia ‘Beleaf Arctic Breeze’

Begonia ‘Autumn Ember’