Begonia ‘Two Face’

A registered trailing or climbing hybrid

Begonia ‘Two Face’ was raised by Leslie Woodriff in California in 1978 and registered in 1980. The cultivar arose from a Begonia incarnata hybrid crossed with a Rex Cultorum begonia, combining flexible scandent growth with cultivated foliage ancestry.

The cultivar is classified as trailing or scandent and grows through flexible climbing stems. Its flexible stems can trail from a pot or climb a slim support.

Light and moisture for textured foliage care

Light

Place Begonia ‘Two Face’ near a clear east or north-east window, or a short distance from stronger south or west glass with hot rays filtered. A position several metres from a window is too dark when petioles lengthen, the crown leans and the next leaves are smaller with less distinct colour.

Watering

Water Begonia ‘Two Face’ when the upper layer of the substrate has dried and the lower mix remains lightly moist and never wet. Water from several points across the surface, continue to runoff and discard the collected water.

Repotting

Begonia ‘Two Face’ has a shallow, easily damaged root system beneath a compact foliage crown. Set the plant at its existing depth.

Temperature

A cold sill can chill the shallow roots before the room thermometer shows a problem.

Humidity and airflow

Normal household humidity can be adequate, but a stable moderate to high humidity gives more reliable leaf expansion and fewer crisp edges. Higher humidity helps the plant only when the crown remains open and leaf surfaces dry normally.

Fertilising

Feed Begonia ‘Two Face’ with a complete houseplant fertiliser at a low dose while it is actively making leaves or shoots. Continue lightly at any time of year if growth remains steady.

Common concerns with Begonia ‘Two Face’

Silver-pink leaves hang limp

Feel the mix below the surface before watering. Water thoroughly when it is partly dry. If the flexible stems stay limp in wet mix, inspect the roots for rot or poor aeration.

Burgundy leaf backs appear very dark

Deep burgundy beneath the leaves is part of the normal two-sided colour. Healthy tissue remains firm and follows the whole reverse. Irregular areas that become translucent or soft, especially beneath a collapsing upper surface, need closer inspection.

Trailing stems become long and sparsely furnished

Begonia ‘Two Face’ naturally trails or climbs. Very wide gaps and progressively smaller leaves can indicate insufficient filtered light. Shorten a firm overlong stem above a node and root the healthy cutting to rebuild a fuller cascade.

One flexible stem turns dark and translucent

Follow the discolouration up the stem and cut where the tissue is firm and healthy. Root the healthy tip separately and discard soft or sour-smelling tissue. Check the shared root system if more than one stem begins to decline.

Begonia ‘Two Face’ 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 first published, and what does it mean?

Begonia honours Michel Bégon.

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