Begonia

• Light: Medium to bright indirect daylight protects delicate foliage.
• Watering: Keep an airy mix lightly moist, with some drying near the surface.
• Leaves: Thin or hairy leaves can mark when repeatedly handled or wetted.
• Pet safety: Begonias are harmful to cats and dogs if eaten.

One side of a Begonia leaf often extends farther down its stalk than the other. This uneven base is a familiar feature of the genus, even among plants with very different colours and leaf shapes.

Begonias grow in tropical and subtropical forests across several continents, often in sheltered places near rocks or streams. Some rise on jointed canes; others extend through rhizomes close to the ground. Their varied habitats and stem forms have helped produce the remarkable range of foliage grown indoors.

Begonia plants

‘Escargot’ twists its central leaf pattern into a spiral, while ‘Fireworks’ carries vivid bands of colour across broad leaves. Begonia maculata has silver-spotted foliage on upright canes; ‘Corallina de Lucerna’ adds taller, branching growth. Smaller rhizomatous varieties often fill a pot with a low canopy of patterned leaves.

Cane begonias develop height and can be cut back to encourage more branches. Rex and many rhizomatous types spread close to the surface, making room around the pot useful as the leaves expand. Bright filtered daylight brings out their markings, and an open mix helps the roots stay evenly moist with air between waterings.

Handle delicate leaves gently and keep water from collecting around the crown of rhizomatous plants. Our propagation guide covers stem and leaf cuttings for suitable begonias.