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Angel Wing Begonia Begonia – Cane Types

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Angel Wing Begonia:

Phonetic Spelling
beh-GO-nee-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

This informal group includes those species and hybrids that form upright, usually unbranched stems with thickened nodes. They resemble bamboo canes. These species and hybrids are members of the Begonia family (Begoniaceae). The species of the cane-type begonias have large green angel wing leaves with silver polka dots and the undersides are red. Depending on the hybrid, the leaf color can vary from green, silver, pink and purple with variegations and may be spotted or textured. The flowers are clusters of either white, pink, red or orange blooms. If maintained the plant usually measures 1 to 2 feet tall, but in some instances, it can grow up to 10 feet tall. Cane types are the most popular whether grown indoors, on the patio, or in the landscape as a border planting.

Cane-type begonias perform best in partial shade, high humidity, and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Pinching the tips of the plant will promote new growth and keep it contained. The easiest method of propagation is from stem cuttings. The species can be grown from seed; however, the hybrids do not produce plants that are identical to the parent. 

Many people find that the cane-type begonia is easier to grow and the best performing. They are used primarily as a houseplant and are beautiful as an accent plant. They may be grown outside as a border or container plant, but they must be protected from frost and direct sunlight.

Insects, Disease, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for whiteflies, thrips, spider mites, and mealybugs. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew, botrytis, and stem rot.

More information on Begonia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Argenteo-guttata'
    leaves with silver markings on a green background and a red underside, pink to red blooms
  • 'Barbara Rose'
    upright cane, dark bronze leaves dotted with white spots, clusters of bright rose pink blooms
  • Begonia maculata (Polka Dot Begonia)
    2 to 3 feet tall, spotted, elongated, dark green leaves with gray to silver spots, undersides orangish-red, white to pink bloom
  • 'Canary Wings' Potted plant with chartreuse leaves and red flowers.
    12 to 18 inches tall, upright, mounded, golden to chartreuse foliage, bright red blooms
  • 'Castaway'
    compact, red cane, dark olive leaves, undersides of leaf red, pale pink flowers
  • 'Corallina de Lucerna' or 'Lucerne'
    dark green leaves with silver spots, cluster of deep red flowers
  • 'Cracklin Rosie'
    popular cane hybrid, dark bronze leaves dotted with pink spots, red underside, clusters of rosy red blooms
  • 'Dragon Wing Red'
    dark green, angel wing shaped leaves with clusters of scarlet-red flowers
  • 'Gryphon'
    upright, mounding, palmate, glossy green leaves with splotches of silver, underside of leaf is orangish-red
  • 'Lana'
    dark green leaves, splashed with silver, rose-red flowers
  • 'Looking Glass'
    upright, large, silvery leaves, olive-green veins, underside of leaf is cranberry red, pink flowers
'Argenteo-guttata', 'Barbara Rose', Begonia maculata (Polka Dot Begonia), 'Canary Wings', 'Castaway', 'Corallina de Lucerna' or 'Lucerne', 'Cracklin Rosie', 'Dragon Wing Red', 'Gryphon', 'Lana', 'Looking Glass'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#colorful leaves#interesting leaves#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#variegated#acidic soils tolerant#humidity tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#container plant#patio#partial shade#border
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Argenteo-guttata'
    leaves with silver markings on a green background and a red underside, pink to red blooms
  • 'Barbara Rose'
    upright cane, dark bronze leaves dotted with white spots, clusters of bright rose pink blooms
  • Begonia maculata (Polka Dot Begonia)
    2 to 3 feet tall, spotted, elongated, dark green leaves with gray to silver spots, undersides orangish-red, white to pink bloom
  • 'Canary Wings' Potted plant with chartreuse leaves and red flowers.
    12 to 18 inches tall, upright, mounded, golden to chartreuse foliage, bright red blooms
  • 'Castaway'
    compact, red cane, dark olive leaves, undersides of leaf red, pale pink flowers
  • 'Corallina de Lucerna' or 'Lucerne'
    dark green leaves with silver spots, cluster of deep red flowers
  • 'Cracklin Rosie'
    popular cane hybrid, dark bronze leaves dotted with pink spots, red underside, clusters of rosy red blooms
  • 'Dragon Wing Red'
    dark green, angel wing shaped leaves with clusters of scarlet-red flowers
  • 'Gryphon'
    upright, mounding, palmate, glossy green leaves with splotches of silver, underside of leaf is orangish-red
  • 'Lana'
    dark green leaves, splashed with silver, rose-red flowers
  • 'Looking Glass'
    upright, large, silvery leaves, olive-green veins, underside of leaf is cranberry red, pink flowers
'Argenteo-guttata', 'Barbara Rose', Begonia maculata (Polka Dot Begonia), 'Canary Wings', 'Castaway', 'Corallina de Lucerna' or 'Lucerne', 'Cracklin Rosie', 'Dragon Wing Red', 'Gryphon', 'Lana', 'Looking Glass'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#colorful leaves#interesting leaves#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#variegated#acidic soils tolerant#humidity tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#container plant#patio#partial shade#border
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Begonia
    Family:
    Begoniaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil
    Distribution:
    Native: Brazil Southwest. Introduced: Argentina, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Mexico
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flower clusters may be red, pink, orange or white depending on the species or hybrid. The individual flower appears somewhat fan-shaped with a small yellow center.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The species' leaves are spotted with an elongated heart-shaped, somewhat arrowhead-shaped or "angel wing"-shaped, and are dark green to olive green. The spots are gray to silver, and the undersides of the leaf are red. The hybrid leaf color varies from green, silver, pink, or purple with variegations. The undersides of the leaf color also vary from burnt orange to red.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Sturdy, upright, and long stems with slightly swollen nodes and appear to be segmented. They resemble bamboo.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    If ingested, Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, and salivation in dogs/cats. The most toxic part is the underground roots. Sap can cause skin irritation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate crystals
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Roots
    Sap/Juice