Begonia.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Perennial or annual depending on climate.

Light

Partial shade to bright indirect light.

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

Varies widely by species, from 15 to 90 centimeters.

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 11

Bloom time

Spring to autumn

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for drooping leaves, which often signal a need for water, or yellowing leaves, which might indicate overwatering. Ensure good air circulation to keep fungal issues at bay.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.

Pruning

Pinch back stems to encourage bushier growth and remove spent blooms.

Repotting

Repot when the plant becomes root bound or the soil breaks down.

Soil

Well draining, peat based potting mix.

Soil pH

Slightly acidic, 5.5 to 6.5.

Temperature

15 to 24°C

Humidity

50 to 70%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper care.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Sécurité

People

The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause significant irritation to the mouth, tongue, and throat if ingested.

Pets

Begonias are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, as they contain soluble calcium oxalates.

Children

Keep this plant out of reach of small children and pets, as the leaves and stems are toxic if chewed or swallowed.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Begonias are generally not considered significant contributors to airborne allergies.

Edibility

While some begonias are technically edible, they contain soluble oxalates that can cause mouth irritation and kidney issues if consumed in quantity.

Comment l'identifier

• Asymmetrical, often lopsided leaf shapes
• Succulent, fleshy stems
• Diverse leaf colors and patterns
• Clusters of delicate, colorful flowers

Height

0.15 to 0.9m

Spread

0.15 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, red, silver, bronze, evergreen

Flowers

pink, red, white, yellow, 1 to 8cm

Problèmes courants

• Powdery mildew — A white, dusty fungal growth appears on leaves due to poor air circulation or high humidity.
• Botrytis blight — Gray mold develops on stems and flowers, often triggered by cool, damp conditions.
• Mealybugs — Small, white, cottony insects suck sap from the undersides of leaves and stems.

La cultiver

Propagation

cuttings, division, seed

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

Bring outdoor begonias inside before the first frost. Reduce watering during the winter months as the plant enters a period of slower growth.

In containers

Begonias grow very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 6 inches wide.

Group plants with similar water needs together to make maintenance easier.

Bonnes associations

• Ferns — They share similar requirements for shade and consistent moisture.
• Impatiens — These plants thrive in the same low light conditions as begonias.
• Coleus — Their colorful foliage provides a nice contrast to the textures of begonia leaves.

À éloigner de

• Succulents — Succulents require much drier soil and higher light than begonias can tolerate.

Espèces similaires

• Rex Begonia — Known for its stunning, patterned foliage rather than its flowers.
• Wax Begonia — A common bedding plant with waxy leaves and constant blooms.

Science

Family

Begoniaceae

Genus

Begonia

Order

Cucurbitales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Tropical and subtropical regions across the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Conservation

Most common garden begonias are cultivated hybrids and are not of conservation concern.

Begonias thrive in the dappled light of forest floors where they utilize high humidity and organic matter to grow.

Uses

indoor ornamental, shade garden bedding, container specimen

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Why are my begonia leaves turning brown?

This is often caused by low humidity or inconsistent watering.

Do begonias need full sun?

Most prefer bright, indirect light, as direct sun can scorch their delicate leaves.

D'où vient le nom

The genus was named by Charles Plumier to honor Michel Bégon. The name has remained a staple in horticulture since the 1700s.

Bon à savoir

• There are over 2,000 species of begonias found in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Begonia flowers are unisexual, meaning individual flowers are either male or female on the same plant.
• They are famous for their asymmetrical leaf shapes, which help them capture light in dense forest floors.