Begonia Maculata: Information & 22 Care Guides For Planter
Begonia Maculata Care Summary
| Light needs: | Plenty of indirect sunlight, is ideal, but they’ll tolerate medium light areas too. |
| Watering needs: | Keep them moist. Check the soil twice a week and water it if the top layer (an inch or so) is dry. |
| Fertilizer: | Balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. |
| Soil: | Well-draining potting compost with plenty of organic matter and added perlite for drainage. |
| Humidity: | 50%. |
| Temperature: | 18-30°C (64-86°F). |
| Where to buy: | Try our list of the best rare plant shops. |
| Other names: | Polka Dot Begonia, Spotted Begonia. |
| Common issues: | Leaves dropping due to underwatering. |
Begonia Maculata Care Introduction
The Begonia maculata, also called the “polka dot begonia,” is a beautiful house plant that we’ll talk about here. They are very popular, but to get the most out of them, you have to put in some work.
Also see Begonia Escargot and Begonia Rex Care.
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Light Needs
Your begonia will do best in areas that get a lot of indirect sunlight, but it will also do well in areas that get about the same amount of light. Make sure it doesn’t get too hot in the sun.
How Often to Water
Keep them wet. Twice a week, water the soil if the top inch or so is dry.
If the top inch of your begonia is dry, give it an inch of water once a week. The most important part of taking care of it is to keep it moist but not too wet.
Fertilizer
Soil
Begonias can get root rot, so use potting soil that drains well and is full of organic matter and perlite.
When To Repot
Begonias do well in pots and even like it, so you can leave them alone for a long time. But if the roots get too crowded, move it to a bigger pot in the spring.
Humidity
Begonias require 50% humidity or their leaves will become dry and crispy.
Temperature
How To Propagate A Begonia Maculata
The easiest way to spread Begonia maculata is through water propagation. Put a cutting in a jar of water for a few weeks before potting it up.
Let the cut get hard for about an hour so that the wound can heal. Then put them in a jar of water so they can grow roots.
I’ve also had great results by taking cuttings from nodes and letting them root in moist sphagnum moss. After a month or two, I moved them outside.
See our article on water propagation for more information.
Begonia Maculata Vs Wightii
The wightii is the offspring of the wightii and the maculata. The wightii can grow into a lant that is much bigger and has more white spots.
Do Begonia Maculata Flower
They have small white flowers with golden centers that grow in groups.
Begonia Maculata USDA Zone
In zones 10–11, they can be grown outside all year.
Where To Buy
When you can, shop at your local plant store. Our Rare Plant Shops page has a list of online businesses that specialize in plants.
Other Names for Begonia Maculata
Polka Dot Begonia, Spotted Begonia
FAQs and Common Problems
Do Begonia Maculata Need Support?
When they get big enough, they can get quite tall and are more likely to fall over. To keep them standing, you can tie them to a bamboo cane.
Do Begonia Maculata Like To Be Root Bound?
They don’t mind if you keep the pit roots in a small space, but like most plants, they do better when they have room to grow roots.
Can Begonia Maculata Grow In Water?
Yes, a begonia maculata may be rooted in water and grown there.
Is Begonia Maculata Toxic To Cats?
If cats or dogs eat them, they will get sick. If eaten, you should talk to a vet.
Begonia Maculata Vs Angel Wing
The white spots on the angel wing are much smaller than the ones on the Begonia maculata, which is why it is called “polka dot begonia.”
Why Is My B. Maculata Dropping Leaves?
A common problem with maculatas is that their leaves fall off when they get too wet. Make sure to regularly water the plant. It could also be brought on by too much sun.
