Species · genus Begonia · Begoniaceae
Begonia soli-mutata
Begonia solimutata L.B.Sm. & Wassh.
Cultivars of B. solimutata
The named forms growers keep — each with its own page, each honest about how much we know.
No named cultivars catalogued under B. solimutata yet. When growers document a stable, named form, it earns its own page here.
Guide
The species-level account. Cultivar pages build on this and say where they differ.
A Rhizomatous Brazilian Begonia
Begonia soli-mutata, sometimes sold as begonia 'Burle Marx', is a rhizomatous perennial reaching around 75cm. It carries the RHS Award of Garden Merit and is grown chiefly as a conservatory or houseplant subject, valued for its foliage as much as its flowers.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181811/begonia-soli-mutata/details
Native To Brazil
This begonia's natural range is Brazil, and it belongs to the Begoniaceae family alongside a great diversity of annuals, perennials and shrubs. It is also known under the synonyms Begonia 'Burle Marx' and Begonia glaziovii.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181811/begonia-soli-mutata/details
Filtered Light, Moderate Water
Grown under glass, this begonia wants light, well-drained, peat-free compost and filtered light, with shade from hot sun, at an optimum of 19°C. It will not tolerate continuous direct sunlight or waterlogging. Water moderately while it is in growth, feeding with a balanced liquid fertiliser at alternate waterings.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181811/begonia-soli-mutata/details
Leaf Or Rhizome Cuttings
Propagation is by leaf cuttings or by sections of rhizome.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181811/begonia-soli-mutata/details
Glossy, Warty Leaves
The leaves are handsome, green or brown-tinged, and can reach up to 15cm in length, with a glossy, warty texture on their upper surface. Above this foliage rise panicles of small white flowers. The habit is bushy and evergreen, reaching a maximum spread of 0.1 to 0.5 metres.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181811/begonia-soli-mutata/details
A Broad Watch List
This begonia may be visited by caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil and aphids.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181811/begonia-soli-mutata/details
Rot And Mould Risks
Susceptibilities to watch for include grey mould, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot, conditions generally tied to excess moisture or poor air movement given the plant's dislike of waterlogging.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181811/begonia-soli-mutata/details
Little Pruning Needed
No pruning is required for this begonia. It is well suited to patio and container growing, reaching maturity over roughly two to five years.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181811/begonia-soli-mutata/details
Care recipe
The species record — the baseline every cultivar inherits unless it says otherwise.
Care notes reviewed by Horta
- Light
- ai:claude-sonnet-5
- Soil
- ai:claude-sonnet-5
Medium light
Not documented
Not documented
Not documented
light, well-drained, peat-free potting compost
leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome
balanced liquid fertiliser applied at alternate waterings, when in growth
Not documented
small white flowers in panicles held above the leaves
Not yet documented
This is where toxicity lives — every cultivar of this species inherits it and none can override it.
Reference images
Every image credited. Licenses link to their deeds.
PrimarySources: ai:claude-sonnet-5
Kept true by its growers
Every fact here carries its source. Grow Begonia soli-mutata yourself? What you’ve observed — how it drinks, how it holds its color, a name that’s off — and a clear photo of your plant are exactly what keep this page honest. Contributions are reviewed before anything changes.
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