Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
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Begoniaceae
Begonia bowerae 'Tiger'
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
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Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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Begonia bowerae 'Tiger'
Quick Care Guide
Watering
Water when ~25–40% dry
Substrate
Fine but airy • Moisture-buffered • Balanced • Fine
Temperature
Ideal: 18–24 °C • Avoid below: 13 °C
Humidity
Humid 60–80 % +
Growth habit
Rhizomatous clumping herbaceous perennial.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height: 30 cm • Max. spread: 25 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Begonia bowerae; species native to Oaxaca, Mexico
Outdoor growing
Outside from 15 °C · sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Begonia bowerae 'Tiger'
Creeping rhizome and eyelash leaves
Begonia bowerae ‘Tiger’ grows as a low, compact rhizomatous Begonia, meaning it grows from a creeping stem at the surface of the mix. The leaves are rounded to slightly heart-shaped, with dark markings across the surface and fine bristly hairs along the edges, petioles and young growth.
It grows outward from the rhizome, slowly adding new leaves around the crown. The rhizome sits close to the substrate surface and gradually extends as new leaves appear. Pale flowers may appear above the foliage, while the small patterned leaves remain the main feature.
Begonia bowerae is native to Mexico, especially southern regions. ‘Tiger’ is a cultivated patterned form of the species. The nickname “eyelash Begonia” comes from the fine hairs along the leaf edges and stems.
Shallow-pot care
Bright filtered light or gentle morning sun keeps the leaf markings stronger. Protect the small leaves from strong midday sun.
Water when the upper substrate feels lightly dry. Keep moisture even, but avoid leaving the crown and rhizome wet for long periods. A shallow pot with drainage suits the shallow roots and creeping rhizome. Keep the rhizome close to the surface when repotting.
Use a fine, airy mix with coir or peat-free potting base, perlite, fine bark and a small amount of mineral grit. Moderate to higher humidity helps new leaves open cleanly. Fresh airflow reduces mildew risk. Keep temperatures around 18–24°C.
Feed lightly during active growth with a mild balanced fertiliser. Repot when the rhizome reaches the pot edge or the substrate has broken down. Propagation is usually by rhizome division or leaf cuttings in warm, humid conditions.
Crown, pattern and leaf checks
A soft rhizome or crown usually means the substrate has stayed too wet and stale. Crispy patches often come from dry air, underwatering or too much direct sun. Faded patterning can appear in weak light or on very young leaves.
Powdery mildew is more likely when the air is still and the leaves stay damp. Improve airflow, remove affected leaves early and water the substrate, not the leaves. New leaves may open unevenly after humidity swings or dry spells.
Bristly leaves and safe handling
Keep rhizome pieces, disturbed roots and fallen leaves away from pets and children who may nibble plant material. Begonias contain soluble calcium oxalates, especially in roots and rhizomes.
Begonia honours Michel Bégon, and bowerae honours Constance Bower. ‘Tiger’ refers to the dark leaf markings that give this compact Begonia its patterned leaves.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
FAQs about Begonia bowerae 'Tiger'
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