Begonia peltata

A tropical American forest species

Begonia peltata is native from southern Mexico through Guatemala and Honduras.

It grows in the wet tropical biome, across a Central American range marked by warm temperatures, regular rainfall and moisture-rich vegetation.

Light and moisture for textured foliage care

Light

Give Begonia peltata a position immediately beside a bright east window or close to a south or west window with the hottest rays screened. If the room is too dim, the thick stems stretch, lean and produce softer, more widely spaced leaves.

Watering

Begonia peltata is ready for water when the upper third of the pot has dried and the container feels noticeably lighter. Begonia peltata stores water in its stems, so a lighter pot is a better trigger than a merely dry surface. The root structure of Begonia peltata is fine roots supporting thick, water-storing upright stems. The pot for Begonia peltata should steady the thick stems without surrounding a small root ball with deep damp compost.

Humidity and airflow

Keep the humidity around Begonia peltata steady. Extra humidity offers little benefit if the thick stems and felted leaves already grow cleanly.

Fertilising

Apply a low dose of complete houseplant fertiliser to Begonia peltata only during active growth. Fresh mix may already contain fertiliser, so delay feeding until roots resume; an immediate dose would add unnecessary salts.

Problems to watch for with Begonia peltata

Felted leaves wrinkle

The fleshy blade may wrinkle when its stored water is depleted, but wrinkling on a wet pot indicates damaged roots. Water a light, dry root ball thoroughly and drain it; unpot a persistently wet plant and remove soft roots. This succulent-type species should not be kept saturated to prevent every wrinkle.

Brown patches cross the fuzzy white surface

A dry tan patch on the brightest side fits scorch. A soft brown area, especially where droplets remained in the felt, is active moisture damage. Keep the foliage dry, improve air movement and remove a lesion that continues to spread; natural pale hairs remain dry and evenly distributed.

Softness in thick upright stems

Water-soaked, dark or foul-smelling stem tissue is active rot. Cut well above it into firm tissue and root the healthy top. Remove the decayed base and wet mix, and allow the replacement cutting to seal before placing it in a lightly moist, very open medium.

Stretched, weak shrub growth

Long gaps between round leaves indicate inadequate light, but stronger light must be introduced gradually to avoid scorching the felted blades. Prune a firm stretched stem above a node to encourage branching. Stake only healthy tissue; a soft bend should be removed.

Distorted or stippled new fuzzy leaves

Check beneath the hairs for mites, thrips and mealybugs. Mites create fine stippling, thrips produce pale scars and black specks, and mealybugs appear as distinct cottony clusters at nodes. Isolate and treat the pest identified, testing sprays because the felt can keep product.

Begonia peltata is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• The roots and rhizomes contain the highest levels of soluble oxalates, and the sap can irritate skin.
• Chewing may cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting or stomach pain. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

When was Begonia peltata first published, and what does it mean?

Begonia honours Michel Bégon. The epithet peltata means shield-shaped.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Begonia in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1056.

Christoph Friedrich Otto and Albert Gottfried Dietrich first described Begonia peltata in 1841 in Allgemeine Gartenzeitung, volume 9, page 58.