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Leaf Detail Portrait

Begonia maculata 'Medora'

Medora Polka Dot Begonia

High
LightBright indirect light
High
HumidityModerate to high humidity (55-75%)
Warm
Temperature18-28°C
Large
SizeMedium to large (60-150 cm tall)
Medium
Growth RateModerate
Moderate
DifficultyRewards a consistent watering and light routine, but tolerates the occasional lapse. Suited to growers with some houseplant experience.
Part of the Begonia maculata familyCultivar£ · CommonLowCultivated selection (derived from Begonia maculata, native to southeastern Brazil, Atlantic Forest)
£32· 7cm plant

Aroid Atlas Price Guide

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£32Base
· 7cm Plant?Estimate

Pricing Data Key

High/Good Confidence: A strong volume of recent sales. Highly reliable market guide.
!
Moderate Confidence: A moderate volume of recent sales. Good general guide, but prices may vary.
?
Limited Data: Few recent sales. Relying on shop stock listings and estimates.
AA estimated price. No UK sold listings have been found for this plant yet.
ℹ️ Baseline Index ValueThe baseline index value represents the current market rate for an established 7cm whole pot specimen. Prices for other sizes, nodes, rooted cuttings, or mother plants are calculated proportionally from this base index guide.

Other colour-form prices

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Begonia maculata 'Medora' Morphology

leaf ShapeAsymmetrical, angel-wing / oblique-ovateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base. with pointed tip
leaf Length12-24 cm
leaf Width5-10 cm
petiole ColorShort, reddish
venationVisible beneath the spotting pattern
textureThin to semi-glossy, strongly contrasting burgundy undersides
variegationN/A; not variegated. Unusually large, prominent white (rather than silver) spotting against dark green leaves. A stableVariegation that is genetically locked, meaning new leaves will reliably display the variegation pattern., true-breeding named cultivar rather than a chimericVariegation caused by a cell mutation. Often produces high contrast but can be unstable and revert to all-green. sport, so this bolder spotting reproduces reliably from any cutting
growth HabitUpright segmented bamboo-like canes

About Begonia maculata 'Medora'

Begonia maculata 'Medora' is a named cane begonia cultivar prized for unusually large, prominent white spotting, bolder and more strongly contrasted than the plain species' finer silver dots, set against dark green leaves with strongly contrasting burgundy undersides. Like the other named cultivars here, it is not a chimeric sport, so cuttings reproduce the pattern reliably, but it circulates mainly among collectors rather than through general retail.

Native Range

Brazil

Market Analysis

Begonia maculata 'Medora' Price Guide & Auction Value

Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.

No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.

Before You Buy

Shared checklist for Begonia maculata and its cultivated forms

  • 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
  • For variegated or cultivar forms, confirm the cutting or plant shows the named form's characteristic variegation/leaf pattern; heavily reverted (all-green) growth is worth considerably less

Propagation Guide

How to Propagate Begonia maculata 'Medora'

Shared across every form of Begonia maculata — see this form's own Morphology for variegation-specific propagation notes.

Difficulty
Easy
Time to Establish

3-5 months

True From Cuttings
Yes

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. Variegated and cultivar forms of the species should be propagated from cuttings taken at a node that shows the desired variegation or leaf character; see that form's own page for details.

Care Guide

Begonia maculata 'Medora' Care Guide & Growing Conditions

General care shared across all forms of Begonia maculata — cultivated forms may need brighter light or higher humidity than the plain species; check this form's Quick Facts above.

Substrate

Light, well-draining mix: 50% perlite, 30% potting compost, 20% orchid bark. Begonias are susceptible to root rot, so excellent drainage is essential.

Watering

Allow the top half of the substrate to dry between waterings. Water at the base; wet leaves invite fungal problems. Reduce in winter.

Humidity

50–70%. More tolerant of average indoor humidity than tropical aroids, but consistent moisture prevents crispy leaf margins. Heavily variegated forms often want the higher end of this range; check that form's Quick Facts.

Fertilising

Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed in winter.

Repotting

Every 12–18 months in spring. Begonias like shallow, wide pots that suit rhizomatous growth. Don't bury the rhizome.

Common Problems

Problem

Powdery mildew

Cause

Poor air circulation combined with high humidity

Fix

Improve airflow; avoid wetting leaves; treat with a dilute bicarbonate of soda spray

Problem

Botrytis (grey mould)

Cause

Overwatering, dead leaves left on plant, poor air circulation

Fix

Remove dead foliage promptly; increase airflow; reduce watering

Problem

Leggy stems

Cause

Insufficient light

Fix

Move to a brighter position; begonias need good indirect light to maintain compact growth

Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers

How prices are calculated: The AA Price uses online sold listings converted to GBP at current exchange rates, excluding extreme outliers to ensure a fair-value guide. Falls back to UK retail average when auction data is unavailable.