Eye-Catching Begonia boliviensis

Blog by Michelle Krespi

I went to visit a friend of mine who has an amazing garden and noticed an eye catching plant. I was even more interested once I discovered it was a begonia that obviously thrived in my climate zone. Welcome to Begonia boliviensis! Upon

researching I discovered that this South Americanplant is a part of the Begoniaceae family, the fifth largest genus of flowering plants containing over 1700 species! It is also native to Central America, (Bolivia & Argentina), Africa and Southeast Asia.^[1] 

It has a cascading growth habit making it an ideal plant to grow in a container but has very specific likes and dislikes! To begin with, is the growing medium. It likes loamy^[2] and sandy soil in a recipe of 40% sand, 40% silt and clay 20%. It prefers sightly acidic to neutral ph levels and thrives with balanced soil nutrients. This is vital for the plants root development, nutrient uptake and overall health. You can buy meters that will measure light uptake, moisture levels and ph value all in one.^[3] The leaves of the begonia are the giveaway for identifying the species. This begonia has the heart-shaped, asymmetrical leaves that many do, as pictured above. Another distinguishing trait are the bright red/orange bell shaped flowers similar to those of Fuchsias. The colors vary including scarlet, white, orange, pink and red. The blossoms are packed two to three on a short stem producing a stunning cascade effect. This begonia blooms all summer and fall with average water needs. Water this begonia when the top few inches are dry to the touch. This will help to avoid soggy conditions which over time can result in root rot. 

In terms of light this plant likes dappled bright sunlight which were the exact conditions my friends begonia are living in. The normal growth is 2’ in height with a 2’ to 3’ ft. spread. It prefers to be planted in spring avoiding direct harsh rays which can scorch its beautiful leaves. It does well in temperatures that range 65 to 75 degrees during the day and 56 to 60 degrees in the evening. 

This begonia is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, snail and slugs. This can be addressed with spraying with insecticidal soap until they are gone. Another issue is powdery mildew. This condition can also be treated by washing the plant with insecticidal soap or misting it with insecticidal spray. The beauty of this is that this begonia loves humidity therefore loves being sprayed.

My favorite part of care has always been propagation. There are multiple ways to propagate this plant. The first method is through stem cuttings. For this you need a different potting medium. Mix equal parts of pelite and peat moss. Wait for the excess water to drain before you repot. Look for new healthy plant growth and remove the leaves on a stem with no flowers on it, from the lower half of the cutting. Dip the end in rooting hormone and add water to the base of the plant to help it settle into the new medium. Place in warm indirect light and mist daily.^[4] The second method is through leaf cuttings. This technique is best performed in spring and summer. Using a sterilized blade cut off one leaf leaving a short piece of the stem (petiole) from the middle of the plant. Dip the stem end in rotting hormone and plant it in a soil mixture, making sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. You should begin to see growth at the base of the petiole within 2-3 weeks. Putting a plastic bag over the plant creates a heat/humidity dome. You should wait until the new plants has a well established root system before you divide them and plant in their individual pots. Water the pots the night before you’re ready to plant. Make a plant medium of equal parts of coco coir and peat with perlite. 

Eye catching? Definitely. Here is a list of all of the benefits:

Very colorful, has a long blooming season, unique foliage, easy to care for, versatile in what and where it’s planted and most important they are very easy to grow. For those who love all these qualities this is a plant for you!^[5]

Thumbnail photo credit: Choo Yut Shing from Flicker