Begonia bowerae
Begonia bowerae · Begoniaceae
📷 Flocci Nivis · CC BY 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around begonia bowerae and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Blooming
- Spring to autumn
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Indoor plant (10 °C minimum)
- Origin
- Mexico
- Soil type
- Rich, well-draining potting mix
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrose régulièrement mais sans détremper : le substrat doit rester humide mais jamais gorgé d'eau. Les bégonias bowerae détestent l'eau stagnante qui provoque la pourriture racinaire en 3-4 jours. Utilise un pot percé et un mélange très drainant (terreau + perlite 50/50).
The common mistake
Arroser par le dessus en mouillant le feuillage. L'eau qui stagne entre les feuilles crée des taches noires et des moisissures, et affaiblit la plante rapidement.
The pro's trick
Arrose par capillarité : pose le pot 15 minutes dans une soucoupe d'eau, puis retire-le. La plante absorbe ce dont elle a besoin et les feuilles restent sèches. C'est la vraie solution pour cette espèce.
Seasonal watch
En hiver, l'air intérieur devient très sec avec le chauffage. Brumise le feuillage 2-3 fois par semaine (en début de journée) ou place le pot sur un lit de graviers humides pour maintenir l'hygrométrie sans mouiller le sol.
Care
Watering
Water regularly, keeping the potting mix moist but never waterlogged. In winter, reduce watering and let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases. Preferably use soft water at room temperature.
Light exposure
Place your begonia in a bright location without direct sunlight, ideally near an east or west-facing window. It tolerates partial shade but will flower more abundantly with good indirect light. Avoid cold drafts and radiators that dry out the air.
Pruning and cleaning
Regularly pinch off stem tips to encourage a bushy, branching habit. Remove yellowed or damaged leaves to maintain vigor and appearance. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming. A gentle trim in late winter helps rejuvenate the plant.
Fertilizing
Feed your begonia every two to three weeks in spring and summer with diluted, balanced fertilizer. Reduce feeding in autumn and stop in winter. Excess fertilizer can burn roots; stay moderate and err on the side of underfeeding rather than overfeeding.
Substrate
Use indoor plant potting mix enriched with compost, to which you add perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. Begonia appreciates a light, aerated medium that prevents root suffocation. Repot every 18 to 24 months in spring.
Pests and diseases
Watch for spider mites and whiteflies, which thrive in dry air; mist regularly or place a humidifier nearby. Powdery mildew and mold appear with excess humidity and poor ventilation; avoid wetting leaves and ensure good air circulation. Isolate any affected plant promptly and treat gently.
Did you know?
Begonia bowerae is nicknamed the 'tiger begonia' or 'lily pad begonia' because of its pretty leaves spotted with coppery brown and its distinctive patterns that resemble butterfly wings. This Mexican species captured the collections of Victorian enthusiasts in the 19th century, where begonias were cultivated as botanical treasures in heated greenhouses.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Hardy begoniaBegonia grandis
- Begonia pedatifidaBegonia pedatifida
- Starleaf begoniaBegonia heracleifolia
- Begonia maculataBegonia maculata
- Begonia rexBegonia rex
- Begonia masonianaBegonia masoniana
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.