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Cane Begonia - Care Sheet
Begonia - Cane
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Species: Maculata, Coccinea, Don Miller, Amphioxus
Cultivars: Pink Spot, Silver Splash, Frosty, Arabian Sunset
Common names: Angel Wing, Polka dot, Don Miller, Painted
Difficulty: Medium to high
Description:The cane Begonias are a group of flowering plants that have clusters of flowers along with lovely foliage. Most have triangular or pear-shaped leaves. They are less colorful than the Rex, however they get much larger and still have lovely foliage, with the added benefit of flower clusters!
Mature size: Amphioxus are smaller, getting to only about 1 foot in height. The Angel Wings and Don Miller will get 2-3 feet tall and wide. The Maculata can grow to an impressive 15 feet tall!
Light: Low light tolerant and preferred. This is not advised to use under grow lights. East or North facing windows are perfect! Avoid direct sunlight at all costs. The plant will bleach its color and burn easily.
Water: These plants want a consistently and evenly moist soil. Water when the topsoil is dry. Do not let this plant dry completely, by the time it has wilted, it will have permanent damage to the foliage. Bottom water only as the leaves are extremely prone to leaf rot. If the leaves get wet, wipe them down and place in front of a fan until dry.
Temperature: Ideal between 60-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 55 degrees.
Humidity: This tropical plant will require additional humidity than most people’s homes will provide. Use a humidifier, greenhouse cabinet (our preferred method). Do not mist this plant. It will burn the leaves with leaf rot, a fungal infection.
Soil: A rich airy mix is required. We use 2-parts coco coir, 2-parts perlite, 1-part sand, 1-part worm casting.
Nutrition: Fertilize monthly during growing season typically May-October. Given the low light nature of the Cane Begonias, the growing season may go longer through the year if the plant is kept warm enough. Adjust the time of year based on if new growth is appearing.
Repotting: This plant will only require repotting once per year as a soil refresh to keep those nutrient levels high. This is when you should evaluate the pot size. Only use a pot 1 inch bigger than the diameter of the root ball.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. Mildly poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats, causing gum bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. While it is not considered fatal, please contact your doctor or vet if consumed. They may not be familiar with the species; however, they should be familiar with the genus and family of the plant.
Native to: Man-made.
Companion Animals: This plant is not recommended in animal habitats as it cannot get misted.
Begonia ferox - Care Sheet
Begonia ferox
The Fierce Begonia
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Species: Ferox
Cultivars: None
Common names: The Fierce Begonia, The Spikey Shield Begonia, Chocolate Chip Begonia
Difficulty: Medium to high
Description: The Ferox is a unique Begonia, and plant in general! It is a small variety grown indoors only for its foliage. The foliage is dark green with fuzzy stems. But the reason this particular Begonia is so desired and how it got its nicknames, are the dark brown to black spikes that protrude from the leaf. They are not sharp but appear to be! Although many people see chocolate chips scattered across the leaves. This is our favorite begonia!
Mature size: 12-18 inches tall and wide with leaves getting up to 5 inches in diameter.
Light: Low light tolerant and preferred. This is not advised to use under grow lights. East or north facing windows are perfect! Avoid direct sunlight at all costs. The plant will bleach its color and burn easily.
Water:These plants want a consistently and evenly moist soil. Water when the top soil is dry. Do not let this plant dry completely, by the time it has wilted, it will have permanent damage to the foliage. Bottom water only as the leaves are extremely prone to leaf rot. If the leaves get wet, wipe them down and place in front of a fan until dry.
Temperature: Ideal between 60-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 55 degrees.
Humidity: This tropical plant will require additional humidity than most people’s homes will provide. Use a humidifier, greenhouse cabinet (our preferred method). Do not mist this plant. It will burn the leaves with leaf rot, a fungal infection.
Soil: A rich airy mix is required. We use 2-parts coco coir, 2-parts perlite, 1-part sand, 1-part worm casting.
Nutrition: Fertilize monthly during growing season typically May-October. Given the low light nature of Begonias, the growing season may go longer through the year if the plant is kept warm enough. Adjust the time of year based on if new growth is appearing.
Repotting: This plant will only require repotting once per year as a soil refresh to keep those nutrient levels high. This is when you should evaluate the pot size. Only use a pot 1 inch bigger than the diameter of the root ball.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. Mildly poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats, causing gum bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. While it is not considered fatal, please contact your doctor or vet if consumed. They may not be familiar with the species; however, they should be familiar with the genus and family of the plant.
Native to: China.
Companion Animals: This plant is not recommended in animal habitats as it cannot get misted and is an expensive collector plant.
Begonia regal - Care Sheet
Begonia - Regal
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Species: Regal
Common names: None
Difficulty: Low to medium
Description: Regal Begonia are grown for their flowers. Pink, yellow, orange, red, white, or mixes of color bloom from late spring to mid fall. The foliage is a mid-green that has some red hues under the leaf. Nothing as showy as the Rex or Cane begonias. This plant is grown as an annual for outdoor color, however, it can grow in doors as well as a perennial.
Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide.
Light: Low light tolerant and preferred. This is not advised to use under grow lights. East or north facing windows are perfect! Or grow outdoors in shade. Avoid direct sunlight.
Water: These plants want a consistently and evenly moist soil. Water when the topsoil is dry. Do not let this plant dry completely. It is more tolerant than most Begonia, but still not exactly a desert dweller.
Temperature: Ideal between 60-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 45 degrees. Unless grown outdoors as an annual.
Humidity: This Begonia will do fine in ambient humidity in your home.
Soil: A rich airy mix is required. We use 2-parts coco coir, 2-parts perlite, 1-part sand, 1-part worm casting. When grown outdoors, use a rich potting mix.
Nutrition: Fertilize monthly during growing season typically May-October. Stop fertilizing when the plant stops blooming for the year.
Repotting: This plant will only require repotting once per year as a soil refresh to keep those nutrient levels high. This is when you should evaluate the pot size. Only use a pot 1 inch bigger than the diameter of the root ball. Or plant outdoors when nighttime low temperatures are above 45 degrees.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. Mildly poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats, causing gum bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. While it is not considered fatal, please contact your doctor or vet if consumed. They may not be familiar with the species; however, they should be familiar with the genus and family of the plant.
Native to: Man-made.
Companion Animals: This plant is not recommended in animal habitats as it easily broken and is grown for outdoor use primarily.
Rex Begonia - Care Sheet
Begonia - Rex
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Species: Rex - hybrids
Cultivars: Jurassic Rex, Looking glass, Escargot, Vampire, Dragon fruit, Sprit of Bali, Chayo, Silver Skies, Brevirmosa Exotica.
Common names: See cultivars, the common name is typically the cultivar, or just generally called Rex Begonia.
Difficulty: Medium to high
Description: These Begonias are a group that has been man made. They are all hybrids of Begonia rex with other species of the Begonia Genus. They come in such a wide rand of colors, more than any other group of plants. Black, red, orange, green, silver, blue, white, pink, purple, and everything in between. They have the largest diversity of all house plants for being the same species. They do flower; however, they are grown for the lovely foliage. The leaf shape can vary from round, to oval, to maple leafed, and everything in-between!
Mature size: Rex Begonia get about 6-12 inches across and 6 inches tall, but this can vary with cultivar. The largest ones can get 2 feet tall and wide, like the Jurassic Rex.
Light: Low light tolerant and preferred. This is our go-to plant for people with low light conditions. We do not recommend using grow lights. A north or east facing window, away from the window is ideal. There is no such thing as a no light plant, but this comes darn close! Avoid direct sunlight at all costs. The plant will bleach its color and burn easily.
Water: These plants want a consistently and evenly moist soil. Water when the top soil is dry. Do not let this plant dry completely, by the time it has wilted, it will have permanent damage to the foliage. Bottom water only as the leaves are extremely prone to leaf rot. If the leaves get wet, wipe them down and place in front of a fan until dry.
Temperature: Ideal between 60-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 55 degrees.
Humidity: This tropical plant will require additional humidity than most people’s homes will provide. Use a humidifier, greenhouse cabinet (our preferred method). Do not mist this plant. It will burn the leaves with leaf rot, a fungal infection.
Soil: A rich airy mix is required. We use 2-parts coco coir, 2-parts perlite, 1-part sand, 1-part worm casting.
Nutrition: Fertilize monthly during growing season typically May-October. Given the low light nature of the Rex, the growing season may go longer through the year if the plant is kept warm enough. Adjust the time of year based on if new growth is appearing.
Repotting: This plant will only require repotting once per year as a soil refresh to keep those nutrient levels high. This is when you should evaluate the pot size. Only use a pot 1 inch bigger than the diameter of the root ball. Typically, most varieties will not outgrow a 4–6-inch pot.
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. Mildly poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats, causing gum bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. While it is not considered fatal, please contact your doctor or vet if consumed. They may not be familiar with the species; however, they should be familiar with the genus and family of the plant.
Native to: Man made.
Companion Animals: This plant is not recommended in animal habitats as it cannot get misted.