Begonia Climbing Care Instructions

Taxonomic Name: Begonia convolvulacea

Begonia Family

Herbaceous Plant

Begonias fill a multitude of roles. For indoor use, the most familiar types are the Rieger, rex, and beefsteak begonias. Less well known is the impressive foliage plant known as the climbing begonia. Most typically, it is used in hanging baskets, where its large, rather circular leaves and dangling stems can be seen to best effect.

This species, which makes an excellent change-of-pace selection for indoor gardens overdosed on spider plants and pothos, is a native of Brazil. When it's happy with its locale, it produces pretty white flowers, especially in spring.

How to Care for Your Plant:

LIGHT: Bright indirect sunlight or direct morning sunlight (as in an unobstructed eastern or northern window) is best.

WATERING: Make sure the soil surface dries between waterings; but water thoroughly very soon thereafter. At least a little water should come out of the pot's bottom drainage holes, but the plant should not stand in saucer water for more than thirty minutes.

FEEDING: Feed during active growth with an all purpose houseplant fertilizer. Use the fertilizer at half the concentration and frequency cited in the product directions. Do not feed at all when the plant is not flowering or putting forth new leaves.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Climbing begonia leaves may develop powdery mildew (fuzzy white patches) if air circulation is poor. Control the mildew fungus with a sulfur-based garden fungicide.