Begonia Care
Bright Indirect
Difficulty: Hard
High Watering Frequency
Pet Toxic
Plant Pictured: Begonia Maculata
Light
Bright, indirect light.
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Cane/Maculata: Tolerate a bit more light, brighter light = better bloom and spotting.
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Rex & Rhizomatous: Prefer filtered, indirect light.
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Tuberous (flowering): Very bright-indirect or some gentle sun for blooms.
Water
Keep evenly moist but never soggy. Let the top 1–2 inches dry before watering again. Water the soil, not the leaves to reduce spotting/mildew.
Humidity & Temperature
Enjoy higher humidity (45–60%+), but avoid misting directly on foliage, use a pebble tray or humidifier. 60–80°F; protect from cold drafts.
Soil & Fertilizing
Light, airy, fast-draining mix: indoor potting soil + extra perlite/pumice + a bit of bark/coir. Feed every 4–6 weeks in spring–summer and ease off in fall and winter.
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Tuberous: Use a slightly richer mix during bloom, then stop feeding when foliage declines.
Pet Safety
Not pet safe (insoluble oxalates can irritate mouths and stomachs).
Native Region
Tropics and subtropics worldwide (many species from the Americas and Asia).
Fun Fact
Begonias have distinctly asymmetrical leaves. The genus is huge, over 2,000 cultivars with forms from miniature spirals to tall, speckled “angel wings.”
