Begonia scharffiana
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Begonia scharffii
- Phonetic Spelling
- beh-GO-nee-ah skar-fee-AY-nuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Elephant ear begonia, is a tender, herbaceous perennial and a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family and native to Southern Brazil. It is grown for its hairy, wide leaves and colorful long-lasting pendant clusters of white flowers with red hairs which bloom June through November and are attractive to bees.
This plant is typically grown indoors in containers or hanging baskets in moist, well-drained soil under filtered light, but it can take some direct sun in the winter. It will also grow very well in peat-based compost to a mature size of 12 to 18 inches with a similar spread. It is not hardy enough to be grown outdoors above USDA zone 10 (unless you intend to grow the plant as an annual) and it prefers the hot and humid climate of its native southern Brazil.
Achieve a bushier form if by pinching back and pruning the outer stems during the growing season. Propagate through division, stem cutting, or seeds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Sudden temperature change causes leaves to drop.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'San Miguel' (B. venosa x B.scharffiana)
2 to 3 ft. tall, 5 to 10-inch pale green leaves, red underside. both sides covered with white hairs, red stems, white blooms
- 'San Miguel' (B. venosa x B.scharffiana)
- 'San Miguel' (B. venosa x B.scharffiana)
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'San Miguel' (B. venosa x B.scharffiana)
2 to 3 ft. tall, 5 to 10-inch pale green leaves, red underside. both sides covered with white hairs, red stems, white blooms
- 'San Miguel' (B. venosa x B.scharffiana)
- 'San Miguel' (B. venosa x B.scharffiana)
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Begonia
- Species:
- scharffiana
- Family:
- Begoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Brazil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Weeping
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Long-lasting pendant clusters of white flowers with red hairs blooming June through November.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Attractive foliage with hairy, wide leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Stems are flexible and zig-zag between the nodes.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, salivation in dogs/cats. The most toxic part is the underground roots. The sap may cause skin irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Soluble calcium oxalates
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
