Full Specimen Plate
Begonia chlorosticta
Green-Spotted Begonia
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Pricing Data Key
Community price estimate based on limited sales history
Market Analysis
Begonia chlorosticta 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 chlorosticta Morphology
About Begonia chlorosticta
Begonia chlorosticta, described by Sands, is a rare Bornean rhizomatous species from the rainforest understory of Sarawak — growing in deep shade on moist, well-drained humus-rich substrate among leaf litter and decaying organic matter, with the high humidity and stable warmth of a tropical forest environment maintained year-round. The leaves are the plant's entire spectacle: asymmetrical, ovate to heart-ovate blades of dark foliage patterned with luminous lime-green spots of considerable intensity, subtly bullate in texture, borne on reddish petioles with deep red undersides. Growth proceeds from a creeping rhizome at substrate level, forming compact clumps. Among the spotted begonias of Borneo, chlorosticta occupies a position at the very top of the collector hierarchy for the sheer contrast between its near-black blade and the vivid chartreuse spotting.
Native Range
Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Begonia chlorosticta
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 chlorosticta 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
Pale Dots on Dark Ground
A Sarawak begonia with leaves covered in scattered pale yellow or cream dots — the name chlorosticta means 'green spot,' which is somewhat misleading given the spots are paler than the ground colour, but taxonomy is not always a descriptive science. The spotting pattern is quite unlike the bold polka-dot arrangement of Begonia maculata and is subtler, more fine and scattered, which suits certain aesthetic sensibilities better. Genuinely uncommon in cultivation. Humid terrarium conditions required. The kind of plant you find in someone's collection and spend five minutes trying to identify.
Also in: Natural Silver & Spot Patterning
Wild species carrying naturally occurring leaf spotting or striping, distinct from the chimeric variegation seen in cultivated colour-break forms.
