Skip to content

Begonia

Begonia is a large genus in the family Begoniaceae — not an aroid, but grown alongside them here for its overlapping collector base in patterned, textured foliage. Species range from Asian rhizomatous begonias with iridescent or bullate leaves to South American shrub types. Within the genus, collector interest concentrates on leaf pattern and texture rather than flower, with the maculata group and bullate species like B. masoniana forming the bulk of the trade.

Species & Cultivars

38

Price Range

£7 – £165

Median Price

£18

Most Traded Begonia

Begonia amphioxus →

Care Notes

  • Most rhizomatous Begonia in this genus come from shaded, humid forest floor habitats (Atlantic Forest Brazil, Bornean rainforest understory) and prefer bright indirect light rather than direct sun, which scorches the thin leaf surface.
  • Good airflow matters more than high humidity alone — many of the bullate and textured-leaf species (B. masoniana, B. ferox) are prone to powdery mildew and leaf rot in still, humid air.
  • Variegated and colour-break forms (Albo Variegata lines, pink sectoring) are chimeric sports propagated from a specific node, not seed — a plain-leaf cutting from the same plant will not carry the variegation.
Showing 38 of 38 plants
Sort:

Frequently Asked Questions

No — Begonia belongs to the family Begoniaceae, unrelated to the Araceae aroids that make up most of this site. It's included here for its overlapping collector base in patterned foliage, not botanical kinship.

Bullate leaf texture (B. masoniana, B. ferox, B. rajah) is a genetic trait present from the first mature leaf, not a sign of poor care.

Variegated Begonia forms are chimeric sports; a cutting taken from a node without variegated tissue reverts to plain green regardless of the parent plant's appearance.

The plain species carries metallic silver polka dots only; named cultivars and variegated forms (Annan Grace, Flamingo Queen, Albo Variegata) are all selections bred from B. maculata with additional stable or chimeric traits layered on top.