Begonia Begonia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Begonia:
- Phonetic Spelling
- beh-GO-nee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Metallic leaf begonia is a member of the Begoniaceae (begonia) family. Begoniaceae is a large, flowering plant family, the name of which honors Michael Begon (1638-1710), Governor of French Canada, and includes about 1500 different species and hundreds of hybrids. Mature begonia plants range in size from a few inches high to over 12 inches high, and the flowers, foliage colors, and sizes are very diverse.
Metallic leaf begonia is a dense, rounded, low-maintenance houseplant in USDA zones 9b and higher. A native of Mexico and Central America, it can be grown as an herbaceous perennial in USDA zones 10 to 11b. Its showy, glossy green leaves have a metallic sheen, thus its common name.
The plant has a medium growth rate and is a moderate bloomer, producing large clusters of small, hairy, pink flowers on sturdy, thin, erect stems from summer to fall. The leaves are dark green at maturity, with red veins underneath. It does not tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees F. Grown indoors, the plant does best under bright but no direct sunlight to form great foliage, but can take some sun in winter. It does not do well in dry air and prefers humidity and constant temperatures. The plant is susceptible to overwatering and fluctuating temperatures.
It tolerates a range of well-drained soil types with pH ranging from neutral to acid. The plant sends up stems from below the soil in spring and early summer, and more new growth can be generated if you pinch or prune the older stems. In turn, the remaining older stems produce more side growth after pruning. As with most begonias, division is by leaf or stem cuttings.
In addition to its value as a houseplant, metallic leaf begonia is useful planted in locations with at least partial shade in a container or massed in beds or borders. Useful at the edge of woodland, natural or Asian-themed gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Keep an eye out for powdery mildew.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Pond Garden Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
'Argenteo-guttata'
- Belgian begonias
- 'Cotes de Castillon'
- 'Little Brother Montgomery'
- 'On Top Sun Glow'
1st Place Container Plant in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'Pewterware'
- Rex begonias
Dark green serrated leaves with silver veins - Belgian begonias
- 'Argenteo-guttata', Belgian begonias, 'Cotes de Castillon', 'Little Brother Montgomery', 'On Top Sun Glow', 'Pewterware', Rex begonias
- Tags:
































- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
'Argenteo-guttata'
- Belgian begonias
- 'Cotes de Castillon'
- 'Little Brother Montgomery'
- 'On Top Sun Glow'
1st Place Container Plant in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'Pewterware'
- Rex begonias
Dark green serrated leaves with silver veins - Belgian begonias
- 'Argenteo-guttata', Belgian begonias, 'Cotes de Castillon', 'Little Brother Montgomery', 'On Top Sun Glow', 'Pewterware', Rex begonias
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Begonia
- Family:
- Begoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Bulb Storage:
- Harvest enlarged hypocotyls in fall, dry, store in dry peat at 35-41 degrees F (2-5 degrees C)
- Edibility:
- The flowers are citrus flavored with a slightly bitter aftertaste. They can be eaten raw, or cooked in sauces.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- 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, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Winged capsule, seeds numerous and small.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Showy blooms range in color from pink, red, yellow, white, or bicolors and can be found in doubles.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Showy leaves can be 6 inches long, asymmetrical with tapered ends and toothed edges.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Erect, with rhizomes or tubers, generally fleshy.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses