Polka Dot Begonia

Polka Dot Begonia Care

Begonia maculata

Other names: Spotted Begonia, Begonia Polkadot

What is the plant

Polka Dot Begonia is a tropical flowering plant from the Begoniaceae family. In the wild, this plant grows in the tropical rainforests of South America, the Eastern Himalayas, the mountainous regions of India, the Malay Archipelago, and the island of Sri Lanka.

Begonia maculate is one of the biggest types of Begonias. It has a hard, straight stem and forms a semi-shrub about 3.5 feet (1 meter) high. The beautiful green leaves have a distinct polka-dot pattern and feel oily to the touch. They are elongated and round in shape, with a red underside. Begonia maculata produces clusters of more than ten white or pink flowers with bright yellow stamens.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

10b - 11b

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Polka Dot Begonia does not tolerate excess moisture. Don't mist your plant! Water the plant two times a week in the summer and once every seven days the rest of the year. If you use a container with a pallet, remove the water half an hour after watering.
Pruning
To stimulate growth and form a beautiful bush, you need to cut off the top of the plant. If you do not want the plant to bloom (and produce lush leaves instead), it is better to remove unopened buds so that Polka Dot Begonia does not waste extra energy on them.
Fertilizer
You can feed your green pet from spring to late summer with a mineral fertilizer for flowering plants. Alternatively, you can use guano or general vegetable compost.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Polka Dot Begonia requires a lot of bright light to thrive. However, it is better to protect the plant from direct sunlight. Don't plant your lush green beauty too close to the windows. You can place the pot on west- or east-facing windowsills.
Soil
We recommend using a porous potting mix such as black peat mixed with perlite in equal parts. It will help avoid waterlogging, which can become a severe issue.
Propagation
You can use the cuttings left from pruning the plant as planting material. You may also propagate the plant by dividing the bush. These plants are easy to propagate with offsets. Gently push plantlets into the soil, either in the same pot as the mother plant or a small individual container, and wait a few weeks. The plantlets will quickly develop roots of their own.

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Temperature
Begonia maculate doesn't tolerate low temperatures and drafts. In summer, the comfortable temperature for this plant is 77°F (25°C). In winter, the temperature should be at least 63°F (17°C).
Container
The size of the container should match the size of the plant. Remember that Begonia maculate will grow outward, so choose a wide and shallow pot. This greenie grows slowly, so you will not have to change the vessel too often. Each subsequent container should be a couple of centimeters wider than the previous one. Don't forget to ensure proper drainage!
Fun fact
Even though Begonia is beautiful, you should keep your pet away. All species of Begonia are toxic to animals.