Polka Dot Begonia Begonia – Cane Types
Other Common Name(s):
- 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.
- 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'
- '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
12 to 18 inches tall, upright, mounded, golden to chartreuse foliage, bright red blooms - 'Argenteo-guttata'
- '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:
- 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'
- '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
12 to 18 inches tall, upright, mounded, golden to chartreuse foliage, bright red blooms - 'Argenteo-guttata'
- '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:
-
-
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
