Full Specimen Plate
Begonia acetosa
Velvet Begonia
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Community price estimate based on limited sales history
Market Analysis
Begonia acetosa Price Guide & Auction Value
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Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- Check for powdery mildew — a white dusty coating on leaf surfaces, especially in dry conditions; it spreads rapidly between plants
- Inspect for mealybugs at leaf axils and the underside of stems where they hide in white cottony deposits
- Rhizome begonias should show firm, healthy rhizome tissue — avoid plants with soft, discoloured rhizomes
- Most begonias ship well as leaf cuttings — if buying a cutting, ensure it has a healthy petiole and no signs of rot at the cut end
Begonia acetosa Morphology
About Begonia acetosa
Begonia acetosa is a rhizomatous begonia native to the humid, shaded understory of the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil, growing on rich humus-laden soil and among decaying leaf litter where high humidity and filtered light support its foliage. Its creeping rhizome produces large, star-like, velvety leaves on long petioles — the upper surface ranging from olive-green to brownish with a pronounced velvet nap, while the undersides carry a contrasting wine-red colouration visible at any angle. The chromatic contrast between leaf faces, combined with considerable leaf size and a bold palmate outline, distinguishes it from more common garden begonias. It needs consistently high humidity to grow well.
Native Range
Brazil
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Begonia acetosa
3-5 months
Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings
Most rhizomatous begonias root readily from leaf sections or petiole cuttings placed on moist substrate. Keep warm and humid until plantlets emerge at leaf margins.
Care Guide
Begonia acetosa Care Guide & Growing Conditions
Light, well-draining mix: 50% perlite, 30% potting compost, 20% orchid bark. Begonias are susceptible to root rot — excellent drainage is essential.
Allow the top half of the substrate to dry between waterings. Water at the base — wet leaves invite fungal problems. Reduce in winter.
50–70%. More tolerant of average indoor humidity than tropical aroids, but consistent moisture prevents crispy leaf margins.
Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed in winter.
Every 12–18 months in spring. Begonias like shallow, wide pots that suit rhizomatous growth. Don't bury the rhizome.
Common Problems
Powdery mildew
Poor air circulation combined with high humidity
Improve airflow; avoid wetting leaves; treat with a dilute bicarbonate of soda spray
Botrytis (grey mould)
Overwatering, dead leaves left on plant, poor air circulation
Remove dead foliage promptly; increase airflow; reduce watering
Leggy stems
Insufficient light
Move to a brighter position — begonias need good indirect light to maintain compact growth
Softly Hairy and Quietly Interesting
A cane-type begonia from southeastern Brazil's Atlantic Forest with leaves covered in dense soft hairs that give the surface a tactile quality entirely unlike the glossy begonias that dominate commercial cultivation. Acetosa means 'sour' or 'acetic,' a reference to the slightly acidic taste of the foliage — a characteristic I understand from botanical records and have no intention of verifying personally. Not particularly expensive, not particularly difficult, more interesting up close than photographs convey. The kind of plant that causes houseguests to touch it without asking permission, which is either charming or irritating depending on the houseguest.
