Trailing Watermelon Begonia Procris repens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Elatostema repens
- Pellionia daveauana
- Pellionia pulchra
- Pellionia repens
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROH-kriss REE-penz
- Description
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Trailing Watermelon Begonia, is not a watermellon or a begonia. It is an herbaceous perennial native to Southeast Asia. It is a small, 6-inch plant that can spread to 2 feet wide by means of stems that root where they touch the ground. It is most often used as a houseplant, in terrariums, hanging baskets or, in agreeable climates, as a groundcover. Although it is a flowering plant, the blossoms rarely appear on indoor plants, are green, blend with the foliage, and not very showy. It is typically grown for its lush and attractive foliage, which is also its only association with Begonias.
This is a tropical plant that grows easily in bright indirect light and a humid atmosphere. Keep soil consistently moist during the growing season, but reduce watering somewhat from fall to late winter. This plant needs very good soil drainage. Pinch stems to shape as needed. Propagate it easily through stem cuttings.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Leaves drop can occur if houseplants plants are near cold drafts. Poorly drained soils can result in roots rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Procris
- Species:
- repens
- Family:
- Urticaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- southern China to Malesia
- Distribution:
- Native to Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Himalaya, India, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Introduced: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Venezuelan Antilles
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Creeping
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white-green to tan-pink flowers are inconspicuous and rarely appear on indoor plants. When they do appear it is usually late summer to early fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Wavy-edged stiff leaves (to 2.5 inches long). Leaves are a variable gray-green , with dark green along the edges and variably sized light green to silver patches in the middle. Below, the leaves have purplish margins and are sometimes tinged with pink. The leaves climb up surfaces and form a shingle pattern. Leaves are larger when grown in shade.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- The stems somewhat fleshy and slightly zigzag. They are brownish and root at the nodes when they contact the soil.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
