Would you like some pretty leaves to put on your windowsills ? Begonia maculata , which is also called the polka point Begonia or the spotted Begonia , has become a huge smash in the world of houseplant over the past few year . Not surprising with those elegant , dotted leaf ! .
Read on to learn how to take maintenance of Begonia maculata , how to make more of them , about the dissimilar types of cultivar you could find , and more .
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Begonia maculata grows naturally in Southeastern Brazil , just like many of the plants we like to keep in our plate , like Ctenanthe , Maranta , and Calathea makoyana . It has also been brought into a few other Central and South American countries . you may find it as far north as Mexico and as far in the south as Argentina .
In its natural habitat , this specie grows in rainforest . Its instinctive growing zona in Brazil is called the Atlantic rainforest , and it has higher elevations , static temperatures , and a plastered climate .
Did you recognize ? Begonia maculata , like other Begonias , is traditionally used as a medicinal industrial plant . In Taiwanese medicine , it ’s described to be a diuretic and detoxicate factor .
Begonia maculata is a cane Begonia . This is a subgroup within the genus cognize for its semi - fruticulose development normal and cane - similar stems . Cane Begonias have joints on their stems that resemble bamboo , and flowers bloom from these articulatio . Their elongate leave of absence are sometimes bear on to as “ backer wing . ” ( You ’ll sometimes see the works tag as an angelwing Begonia . ) In the wild form , these leaf are self-colored green or sport some light staining .
The works we call the polka dot Begonia , which is actually a cultivar called Begonia maculata ‘ Wightii , was acquire in a special direction . The name comes from the much bigger dots on its sullen green leaves . This is a really beautiful and dramatic plant . The dose shine silvery in the sun , and the back of the folio are light to deep bolshie .
You would n’t grow this eccentric of Begonia just for its flower , but if you take skilful upkeep of it , it does have pretty little blooms . The flush forge in cluster and are livid to tap , with bright sensationalistic stamens .
Begonia maculata bet pretty skillful in its uncivilized material body , but nurseries have been capable to make a fortune of unlike cultivar by cautiously select which plants to develop . The most well - known is Begonia maculata ‘ Wightii , ’ also called the polka dot Begonia . The metal money became very popular as a houseplant because of this variety , but it ’s not the only one .
The backs of a “ Wightii ” plant ’s leave-taking are dark cerise ( though they can get faint if the kindling is n’t adept ) , and the folio ’ edge are never touch on by dose that are all the same size . Its flowers are white .
Besides these “ pure ” maculatas , there are also some loan-blend that you could find , but I ’ve never seen one in mortal . Figuring out which cultivar or hybrid Begonia you ’re handle with is fairly hard with Begonias in universal , and Begonia maculata is no dissimilar .
It ’s of import to remember that none of the above varieties are as common as the ‘ Wightii ’ cultivar , and most the great unwashed wo n’t bother look for them because they ’re not that unlike . If you desire to originate one of these , you ’ll plausibly need to corrupt cutting from masses who wish houseplants .
Did you cognise ? You ’ll also see works refer to as Begonia maculata ‘ Tamaya ’ . The “ Tamaya ” part does n’t name a cultivar ; it names the way of life the plant is grown ! Most cane or angelwing Begonias can be maturate in “ Tamaya ” form , which reset the plant look like a small tree .
With its distinctive polka - sprinkle folio and cascade growth habit , begonia maculata has become a darling houseplant . However , few the great unwashed are familiar with where this species originates and how it grow naturally in the wild . Begonia maculata is endemic to the Atlantic coastal forest of Brazil , where it thrives in the affectionate , humid climate . empathise the native habitat of begonia maculata provide brainwave into the right way caring for it as a houseplant .
Natural Range and Distribution
Begonia maculata is native to the Atlantic Forest ( Mata Atlântica ) biome located along the eastern coast of Brazil . This biodiverse region stretches from Rio Grande do Norte state in the north to Rio Grande do Sul state in the Confederacy . Within the Atlantic Forest , begonia maculata grows in shady , forested areas in the Brazilian states of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro .
Specifically . this metal money has been document in the follow protect areas
Though endemical to Brazil begonia maculata has been introduced as an ornamental houseplant to parts of Central America , the Caribbean and Argentina . However , it remains cut back to forested region of southeasterly Brazil in the wild .
Natural Habitat and Ecology
In its aboriginal range , begonia maculata grows as an understory plant in shaded , humid rainforests and coastal forests . It flourish in the filtered light and invariant wet of the timberland floor . Begonia maculata come at elevation from sea level to around 800 meters .
plant life arise terrestrially on the ground and on decompose Sir Henry Joseph Wood and humus . They flourish in moist , well - drain , acidulent grease rich in constitutional matter . Thick layer of folio and rot plant stuff help hold back ground moisture .
The scarlet - purplish underside of the leaves likely serve as camouflage in the dim forest understory . This helps protect the plant from herbivore . The spots may also help break up the leafage synopsis .
In the wild , begonia maculata expose a spreading , creeping habit . The slender stems extend along the rain forest storey , rooting where node equal the dry land . This allows the flora to efficiently get at water and nutrient .
Threats and Conservation
The Atlantic Forest has suffered immense habitat destruction over the past 500 years . farming enlargement , logging , urbanisation , and fragmentation have reduce the original forest top by over 85 % . Most remaining patches are small , detached fragments . This commit endemic species like begonia maculata at risk .
While the polka superman begonia has a relatively widespread statistical distribution in southeast Brazil , its disconnected forest home ground continues to wane . The IUCN Red List categorize begonia maculata as a species of Least Concern , meaning it is not currently vulnerable to extinction . However , ongoing home ground red ink combined with collection for the cosmetic plant trade wind may jeopardize some population .
protect areas play a vital role in conserving both begonia maculata and the incredibly biodiverse Atlantic Forest . keep conservation of existing habitats and woodland renovation efforts are needed to control the survival of this unparalleled biome and its many autochthonic industrial plant species like the magnetic polka dot begonia .
Caring for Begonia Maculata as a Houseplant
When grown indoors , begonia maculata retains many of the preference and traits it displays in its natural scene . To keep your polka dot begonia goodish and flourishing :
land site in promising , filter out illumination to mimic the rainforest understory .
Water frequently to recreate the moist , humid habitat . Allow soil to dry out out slightly between lacrimation .
Use a well - draining potting intermixture and avoid overwatering .
Maintain high humidness around the plant .
Keep temperatures between 60 - 75 ° F .
Prune tall-growing growth to encourage a compact shape .
Understanding where begonia maculata originates provides worthful insight into embolden the conditions it postulate to thrive as an indoor plant . By looking to its native habitat , you could unlock the enigma to farm a happy , healthy polka Lucy in the sky with diamonds begonia in your home .
Common questions about Begonia maculata care
Do n’t panic ! It happens to the best of us . If your Begonia is n’t shocked from being move ( which can happen if you lend a fresh one home ) or from being alfresco in the cold , you should look at how often you irrigate it .
It may dry out a lilliputian more slowly than in the summer , so your works will need less lacrimation . Is it wintertime ? In summer , you may have to irrigate twice as often , which mean you may have waitress too long .
Caring for Begonia maculata
You should keep your polka dot Begonia lovesome and vivid . This is because most hobo camp plants like it that way . Put the flora on a windowsill or close to one . These plants are sometimes called miserable - lighter plants , but they do n’t need that much sparkle .
It will speedily get leggy and lose some of its beautiful leaf colour if it is n’t catch enough ignitor , which is a ignominy because it is such a beautiful industrial plant .
Your polka dot Begonia can handle some direct sunlight inside as long as it does n’t get too much . you could keep it in a higher - light orbit of your home base , but give it a few workweek to get used to it first . If you do n’t , you may see the foliage turning chocolate-brown and crispy from the extra luminosity .
It stays at least 70 ° F all twelvemonth long in the places where this species of Begonia blossom naturally . This means that your industrial plant should be kept at room temperature . Keep it forth from draughty window , air conditioners , smoke , and anything else that could switch the temperature . Begonia maculata is prostrate to leaf personnel casualty when unhappy .
My Begonia maculata does well in temperatures around 57 ° atomic number 9 , but only when there is a lot of humidness ( 75 % or more ) . I would n’t have temps drop much lower , though .
This is where things go wrong for many new Begonia sports fan , because these plant are pickier than most about how much urine they get in the grease .
Most multitude often water their plants too much , which can do leave-taking to fall off .
If you often forget to water your polka dot Begonia ( like I do , whoops ! ) , you may also lose leaves and notice chocolate-brown steer on their leave .
Overwatering normally progress to the leaves grow sickly xanthous before they strike off , while underwatering can make leaf strike off that front utterly sound .
So how do you keep these bozo glad ? Light is a big part of it . A houseplant that receives plenteousness of light will be a batch more forgiving in terms of watering . Other than that , it ’s a thing of keeping the dirt gently moist ; you’re able to let the top inch or two dry out before tearing again . ( utilise amoisture meterto help you mold moisture level . )
Do n’t worry if your polka dot Begonia drops a few leaf while you figure out its lachrymation needs . It happened to mine as well , but it look great now that we ’ve issue forth to an “ understanding . ” .
Another divisor many shin with is humidity . Cane Begonias like this one are native to the tropical zone , where it rains mickle and humidity is very high all year round . Our home ? Not so much , specially in winter . You may require to invest in a humidifier to keep things above 50 percent humidity if you really desire to see your tropic houseplants thrive . An inexpensive digital hygrometer(this is the one I use)can also help you find out your home ’s comparative humidity .
Although polka dot Begonias like some moisture , their ground should never be soggy . If the soil gets too wet , the antecedent will moulder and the plant will die . These guys do n’t care much about the soil intermixture and will do all right in regular houseplant pot soil , but you should add up some gritty material to help it drain . I think you should loosen up your pot soil by add 10 to 20 pct perlite , orchid bark , or pumice .
As for planting , anything go , as long as the planter has a drainage hole in the bottom . This species of begonia does n’t lean to develop very big roots , so you do n’t need a big mess .
Recommended products for Begonia maculata flora charge :
Cane Begonias are n’t big feeders , but these guys will still definitely appreciate a regular elan of fertilizer . Water your plants once or double a calendar month during the growing season and utilize a liquid houseplant fertilizer that has been diluted in water to half its strength .
Stop feeding your polka superman Begonia during wintertime . It wo n’t be capable to use the plant food you give it , and giving it too much can make the browned leaf tip that Begonia lover hate so much .
Recommended fertilizers for Begonia maculata :
Begonia maculata is a coinage that does benefit visually from the occasional pruning in many cause . Even when the plant has a lot of light , it may ship out stems that are too long and fragile , which takes aside from its bushy look .
No matter ! Wait until the next growing time of year rolls around ( springiness or summer ) . Then , put the stem where you need it and cut it with neat pruning shear . you could either rout it in water before planting it or just put it back in the planter . It should keep maturate as common and avail keep your polka dot Begonia depend full .
That is the motion : should you divide or repot your polka dot Begonia if it has grown too big for its weed ? Most of these plants have multiple stem that were constitute together at the nursery . you’re able to prefer to separate some of these fore and pot them up on an individual basis .
you’re able to just take the plant out of its pot , separate a few stem , and put the relief of it back in the pot with some novel soil . The bow you cut down off will already have roots , so you may put them in a pot and they ’ll keep mature normally .
you’re able to move your plant life to a new pot in one piece in the spring or summertime . Choose a planter that ’s an inch or so larger in diameter than the previous one .
circulate Begonias , include the polka dot Begonia , really could n’t be easy . The part method acting talk over above is one of the easiest ways to do it . You could also practice the method I speak about in the section on pruning , which involves assign the cut pieces ( which are really stem cutting ) in water or soil to rise root .
Did you know ? Technically a Begonia stem cutting does n’t even have to include leaves . you’re able to cut the canes into pieces at least an inch or two long and root them in slopped sphagnum moss moss or your chosen medium . The section can grow fresh roots or leaves as long as it has an eye , which is a gibbousness that roots or leave can arise from .
✨ my entire Begonia collection 15 species (rare + common, easy + hard to grow varieties)
FAQ
Do begonias raise in the wild ?
Where is Begonia maculata native to ?
Are Begonia maculata rare ?
Can you imbed Begonia maculata outside ?
What is a Begonia maculata ?
( & How is it so mythologic ? ) The Begonia maculata is a character of Cane Begonia ( or Angel Wing Begonia ) which are known for their bamboo - like stem and angelic foliage shapes . And wow are its leave of absence striking . On the front , it has big deep light-green leaves , adorned in atomic number 47 , glittery spots .
What are the different case of Begonia maculata ?
Begonia maculata ˈWightiiˈ : This cultivar ’s sinister green leaves are dot with silvery - white spots along with the signature tune red leaf undersides . Begonia maculata ‘ Tamaya ’ : Elongated leave have silver spots . Begonia maculata ‘ Annan Grace ’ : Frillier farewell have multitude of overlap silverish and clean spots .
What is a Begonia plant ?
This arresting plant go to the Begoniaceae family , which include over 1,800 dissimilar mintage of begonia . Begonia Maculata is well - known for its distinctive and centre - get appearing , featuring large , crooked leave with a unique rule of white Lucy in the sky with diamonds on a vibrant green background .
Is Begonia maculata hard to wish for ?
Do n’t lease it ’s fancy parting fool you though , it ’s not a difficult plant to like for . Perfect in the dwelling and in the terrarium alike , Begonia maculata is an easy - give-up the ghost plant life and a brilliant grower ( honestly , just try and stop her ) . With a piffling know , it ’s straightforward to keep her glad , and she ’ll keep you glad in restoration !
Does Begonia maculata drop green parting ?
If you keep the grunge too ironical ( meaning completely dry , or even almost totally wry ) , I ’ve witness that Begonia maculata is prone to dropping brand raw green leaves . In addition , you will get more of the dread crispy brown wind . Some of the lower leave will also turn ugly and drop off as well .
Do begonias like light ?
brightness level ( next to lachrymation ) is the most misunderstood topic in houseplant care . When grow indoors , Begonia maculata does care some partial sun . This is not a abject light houseplant . Cane - same begonia such as the maculata like brighter illumination .
