Begonia Maculata, also known as Polka Dot begonia, is a popular growing houseplant due to its beautiful appearance and splashy spot. The olive-green leaves of the plants have contrasting spots on them, which look appealing enough to grab the visitors’ attention.
Its varying leaf pattern makes it the favorite choice of the growers. The best thing about the Begonia Maculata plant is that it is easy to care for, and you don’t need to give much attention to your plant.
Just let your plant grow in a healthy and considerable environment. It will assist the plant to grow fast without any issues. Begonia Maculata is no less than a feast for the eyes due to the red appearance of the leaves from the back and silvery-white dots. The plant can reach a maximum height of 1.5 meters, but the condition is to take care of your plant.
Are you also deciding to grow Begonia Maculata in your garden? Then follow this guide and take care of your plant in a better productive way.
Classification of Begonia Maculata
| FAMILY | Begoniaceae |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Begonia maculata |
| NATIVE AREA | Southeast Brazil |
Quick Guide for Begonia Maculata Care
Before going into the detailed care and maintenance of Begonia Maculata, let’s have a look at the quick guide that will help you take care of your plant:
- Water your plant at least once a week, and in winters, water it once within two weeks.
- Place your Begonia Maculata in the bright indirect light to let it grow fast.
- Use fertilizers once a month to develop a nutritious potting mix.
- Take care of your kids and pets because their ingestion can be harmful to their health.
Step by Step Begonia Maculata Care
Every plant requires some time for the proper care and attention; the same is the case with this plant. This section will discuss the detailed overview to help you take care of your Begonia Maculata.
Humidity Requirements:
Begonia Maculata loves to grow in a higher humidity level. If your plant is indoors, then maintaining the humidity level is the major challenge. Place your plant in the kitchen or bathroom as it will help in maintaining the humidity level. It will help in promoting the better growth of the plant.
Caution:
Do not over wet the plant as it can increase the susceptibility to the fungal attack and powdery mildews.
Soil Requirements:
Begonia Maculata loves to grow in loamy soil with the right proportion of nutrients within it. The plant grows well within the mixture of sand and lays along with a good drainage pot.
Moreover, you need to strictly focus on the drainage level of the pot, as it is highly susceptible to root rot.
Pro Tip:
Fertilizer Requirements:
You must fertilize the plant in two weeks to promote the prolific growth rate and healthy development of the leaves. It will help in encouraging the prominent blooms of the plant.
Moreover, you can use half a dose of the water-soluble fertilizer and add one cup of water to dilute the fertilizer.
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Light Requirements:
These plants love to grow in the shade despite the bright direct light. So, let these plants grow in a shady area. If you are growing these plants indoors, then choose a bright and well-lit room. This will help in polishing the vibrant and silvery-white appearance of the leaves.
So, keep in mind to provide the plant with optimum light conditions, and if you are placing it outdoors, choose a shady area. Keep your plant away from the direct sunlight; otherwise, and your Begonia Maculata can burn.
If the leaves of your Begonia Maculata appear scorched, then place them in the shade. This will help in maintaining the appearance of the plant.
Potting Requirements:
Potting is the foremost part of the plant’s growth cycle, and hence you must determine the correct pot size for letting the plant thrive well. In the initial years of growth, the plant needs regular potting.
The best time to repot the plant is in summers, and you need to choose a pot of larger size compared to the previous one. Choose a pot with good drainage and which has better capability to hold moisture.
Watering Requirements:
It is sometimes challenging to provide your Begonia Maculata with the right balance of the water conditions. Begonia Maculata grows in a bit damp soil but does not over wet it. Keep an eye on the plant’s soil, and if there is no dampness, you must water it. This will help in the fast growth of the plant.
Overwatering and underwatering can impact the appearance of the plan, and signs of wilting started appearing.
Prop tip:
Temperature Requirements:
The plant is native to Brazil, due to which it cannot bear to survive in cold conditions. Begonia Maculata needs the ideal temperature ranging from 67 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In case if the drops are from 60 degrees Fahrenheit, then your plant can get damaged. So, keep an eye on the temperature maintenance of Begonia Maculata.
Begonia Maculata Growth
The average growth rate of the plant is about 1.5 meters, and the length of leaves is 20 cm. Begonia Maculata has asymmetrical leaves with lush green surfaces and silvery-white spots on them. The backside of the leaves in red, creating an exotic and appealing look.
Yong leaves of the plant range from pink to maroon color. Begonia Maculata shows a prolific growth rate by balancing the light, water, and humidity requirements.
Ensure to maintain the appearance of the plant by removing the wilted leaves or the yellow sections. Also, prune the plant when required, especially in spring and summer.
Begonia Maculata Propagation
The two easiest way that you can use to propagate Begonia Maculata includes using seeds or the cuttings, as dictated below:
Propagation from the leaf cuttings:
- To propagate leaves from Begonia Maculata, you must use fresh leaves cuttings.
- Cut the leaves by using a sharp razor in wedges. Make sure that each wedge piece must have veins in it.
- Make sure that the leaves must have petiole attached to them.
- After that, place the cuttings in well-draining soil with perlite and peat moss in it.
- Provide the cuttings with the right growing conditions and place them in a warm place. Do not place it in the direct sunlight.
- You will observe roots in three to four weeks after planting them. After that, baby plants will grow after six weeks.
Propagation of Begonia Maculata by stem cuttings:
- Begonia Maculata can also grow using stem cuttings (rhizomes), thick stems grown under the soil.
- Cut one inch of the rhizome and place it in well-draining soil.
- Maintain the moisture level of the plant and keep it away from direct sunlight.
- The roots of your plant with growing in 5 to 7 weeks.
Propagation using seeds:
- Propagating Begonia Maculata usually takes time, and it is a more challenging and time taking method.
- Just put the Begonia Maculata seeds in well-draining soil and place the pot in the right growing conditions.
- Seeds of the hybrid plants will not work for the propagation of the plant, as these plants are a mix of different varieties.
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Begonia Maculata Diseases and Pests
The plant is susceptible to root rot and pests attacks. Following are the commonly occurring issues faced by Begonia Maculata:
Begonia Maculata Dropping Leaves:
When the leaves of your Begonia Maculata are dropping, it is a sign that your plant is thirsty. Water the plant immediately when you observe the dropping of the leaves.
Solution:
Water it immediately!
Begonia Maculata Yellow Leaves:
The yellow leaves of the plant are due to overwatering. Also, placing the water in direct sunlight can be a reason. Provide time to the Begonia Maculata’s roots and let them dry before watering again.
Solution:
Do not overwater your plant and let the soil out!
Begonia Maculata Brown Tips:
The brown tips of Begonia Maculata appear due to the underwatering or direct sunlight. So, keep an eye on the right growing conditions of the plant.
Solution:
Provide the plant with more water, i.e., once a week in summers.
Fungal Attack:
One of the common issues faced by Begonia Maculata is a fungal attack in the form of powder mildews. It can damage the appearance of the entire plant if not controlled.
Solution:
Use fungicides to control the fungal attack. You can prevent the fungal attack by keeping a balance in watering and maintaining a good air circulation level.
Final Thoughts:
On a concluding note, Begonia Maculata is an exotic plant and is a favorite choice of the growers due to its appealing look. The plant needs attention in case of water, and negligence in this can sometimes create issues. You need to care for your plant by providing it with the right growing conditions and fulfilling its light, humidity, and temperature requirements.
Begonia Maculata is easy to propagate the plant, especially by using the leaves or the stem cuttings. The above guide provides you with a detailed description of the care and growth of the plant. Just follow this guide and let your appealing plant grow well; Happy Growing!
Frequently Asked Questions about Begonia Maculata
Where to buy Begonia Maculata?
You can easily buy these beautiful and exotic plants from different websites. The most reliable one that you can use is Amazon. So, buy your Begonia Maculata at a reasonable price and save your money. You can also buy it from the local nurseries of your area at your convenience.
Is it easy to grow Begonia Maculata?
It is not that much a quickly growing plant and demands extra care and maintenance. Begonia Maculata needs moist and well-draining soil. Also, it requires attention to light requirements.
How do you care for Begonia Maculata?
Begonia Maculata requires optimum soil, temperature, sunlight, and humidity requirements. Choose well-draining soil and place your plant in indirect sunlight. Also, provide your plant with higher levels of humidity.
Is Begonia Maculata toxic?
Yes, Begonia Maculata is toxic, and its ingestion can cause nausea and allergic reactions. So, it would be best if you kept an eye on your pets and children.
Why are Begonia Maculata leaves turning yellow?
If the leaves of your plant are turning yellow, then you need to reduce overwatering. The leaves usually turn yellow due to overwatering, and sometimes it also occurs due to direct sunlight.