Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata)

Polka Dot Begonia

Polka Dot Begona — The Polka Dot Begonia can reach a height of more than one meter. In garden centres and nurseries you can usually find young plants that look like the ones in the picture above.

Care

Lighting

Bright to part sunny locations, with morning, evening and winter sun are fine. If the pot placed is at least one meter behind the window, Begonia maculata will also tolerate some hot summer sun.

Soil

Regular mixes for indoor and container plants as well as for herbs and vegetables.

Watering

The soil should be allowed to dry moderately between the waterings. Let it only dry to about 80 % of the pots height before adding water. Avoid the soil from drying out, otherwise flower buds can be thrown off.

Humidity

As long as Begonia maculata doesn’t stand above or close to a heater in winter, it gets along well with “regular” indoor humidity. Nevertheless, it is helpful if the leaves are sprayed or showered from time to time to free them of dust.

Feeding

Standard or organic liquid fertilizer can be given every 4th to 8th week during the growing season, which usually lasts from spring to autumn. Long-term fertilizers such as sticks, granules or pellets once each in spring and summer. New bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first year.

Temperature

According to its tropical origin, Begonia maculata likes it warm the year round. It can spend the winter at 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F) and should not be placed below 10 °C (50 °F) for very long.

Begonia × albopicta (= B. maculata × B. olbia) is a hybrid naturally occurring in Brazil.

Propagation

Stem cuttings and leaf cuttings.

Begonia × albopicta cuttings — Rooted cuttings of Begonia × albopicta

Profile

Scientific name

Begonia maculata

Common name(s)

Polka Dot Begonia

Family

Begoniaceae

Origin

South America (Argentina, Brazil)

Height

Up to 150 cm

Begonia maculata