Begonia

Begonia maculata

Cane Begonia

Begonia maculata is a cane-forming shrub from the humid forests of southeastern Brazil, where it grows as understory shade in warm, moist air. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top inch of mix has dried, letting it approach dryness between waterings; its fibrous roots and fleshy canes rot if left sitting wet. It prefers higher humidity and steady warmth, but avoid soggy soil over generous watering.

Begonia rex

Painted-leaf Begonia

Begonia rex is a rhizomatous geophyte from the humid understory of the eastern Himalaya and Myanmar, grown for its patterned foliage rather than constant moisture. Its surface rhizome stores water and rots if left wet, so let the top inch of mix dry before watering, and give bright indirect light away from direct sun. It wants warmth and elevated humidity but resents soggy roots, so err toward the dry side.

Begonia tuberhybrida

Hybrid Tuberous Begonia

A tuberous begonia whose underground tuber stores water, so it rots easily when kept wet. Water only when the top inch of mix has dried, then water thoroughly and let excess drain. Give it bright indirect light rather than direct sun, which scorches the soft foliage.

Begonia grandis

Hardy Begonia

Begonia grandis is a tuberous geophyte from the temperate woodlands of central and southern China, where it grows in dappled shade and dies back to its tuber over winter. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top inch of mix has dried, easing off as the leaves yellow and the plant goes dormant, since the stored tuber rots if kept wet while resting. Sharp drainage and moderate room humidity suit it best.

Begonia cucullata

Clubed Begonia

Begonia cucullata is a soft-stemmed subshrub from the warm, humid subtropics of southern South America, where it grows in dappled light rather than open sun. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top inch of mix has dried; its succulent stems hold water and rot easily if kept wet. It tolerates ordinary household humidity, so there is no need to inflate moisture around it.

Begonia hiemalis

Elatior Begonia

Begonia × hiemalis is a hybrid flowering subshrub in the Begoniaceae, with soft, fleshy stems and leaves that hold water and resent sitting wet. Give it bright indirect light away from harsh direct sun, and water when the top inch of mix is dry, letting it approach dryness between drinks to avoid stem and root rot. It tolerates ordinary household humidity but dislikes water pooling on its leaves and crown.

Begonia boliviensis

Bolivian Begonia

Begonia boliviensis is a tuberous geophyte from the seasonally moist slopes of Bolivia and northwest Argentina, where it stores water in an underground tuber and goes dormant in the dry season. Give it bright indirect light and a fast-draining mix, and water only when the top inch or so of mix has dried out, since the tuber rots if left sitting wet. Expect it to die back and rest in winter; ease off water sharply during dormancy.

Begonia masoniana

Iron Cross Begonia

Begonia masoniana is a rhizomatous Begonia from the warm, humid understory of Southeast China and Vietnam, where it grows in dappled shade with steady warmth and moisture. Give it bright indirect light, never direct sun, and water when the top inch of mix has dried — its shallow rhizome rots if left sitting wet. It prefers high humidity and airflow; let the surface approach dryness between waterings rather than keeping it soggy.

Begonia bowerae

Eyelash Begonia

Begonia bowerae is a small rhizomatous begonia from the shaded forests of southern Mexico, where its creeping rhizome stores moisture and resents staying wet. Give it bright, indirect light and a gritty, free-draining mix, watering only when the top inch of mix has dried. The rhizome rots easily if kept soggy, so err toward dryness; medium household humidity suits it, though it appreciates good airflow.

Begonia heracleifolia

Star Begonia

Begonia heracleifolia is a rhizomatous begonia native to the moist forests of Mexico and Central America, where it grows in dappled light with good airflow around its roots. Give it bright indirect light and an open, fast-draining mix, and let the top inch of the mix dry before watering again, as its fleshy rhizome rots if kept soggy. It prefers elevated humidity but resents standing water at its base.

Begonia obliqua

Begonia obliqua is a member of the Begoniaceae, a family of tropical and subtropical understory plants that favor warmth, even moisture, and protection from direct sun. Give it a bright spot out of direct rays and let the top inch of mix dry before watering again; its fibrous roots resent sitting wet and are prone to rot. Most homes provide adequate humidity, though it will appreciate steady airflow and warmth above cold drafts.

Begonia erythrophylla

Beefsteak Begonia

A rhizomatous hybrid begonia grown for its thick, waxy leaves; the creeping rhizome stores water and resents staying wet. Water when the top inch of mix has dried, then water thoroughly and let it approach dryness again. Give it bright indirect light away from direct sun, and ordinary household humidity suits it.

Begonia rex-cultorum

Beefsteak-geranium

Rex begonias are rhizomatous foliage plants grown for their patterned leaves, descended from tropical understory species that favor warmth, steady but not soggy moisture, and protection from direct sun. Give bright indirect light and water when the top inch of mix has dried, letting the surface approach dry between waterings to avoid rot at the rhizome. They genuinely want elevated humidity, but dislike water sitting on the leaves or in the crown.

Begonia semperflorens-cultorum

Bedding Begonia

A fibrous-rooted bedding Begonia with soft, fleshy stems and leaves that hold water and resent sitting wet. Give it bright indirect light out of harsh midday sun, and let the top inch of mix dry before watering again. The succulent stems rot quickly if kept soggy, so err toward the drier side.