Angel Wing Begonia
A cane-stemmed begonia with wing-shaped leaves, often silver-spotted, on bamboo-like stems, and clusters of pink, red or coral flowers much of the year. Taller and easier than a rex, flowering indoors with a bit of light, and a classic windowsill plant.
Angel wing begonias are the tall ones. They grow on jointed, cane-like stems to three feet or more, with pairs of wing-shaped leaves, usually olive green splashed with silver spots and flushed red underneath, and from spring to autumn they hang out clusters of waxy flowers in pink, red, coral or white. The polka-dot begonia is one of them; so are dozens of old hybrids.
They are the easiest begonias for a living room: happy in a bright window, quick to grow, quick to flower, and quick to root from a cutting. The main upkeep is pruning the canes to keep the plant bushy.
Light
Bright, indirect light for the best flowering and spotting. An east window is ideal; a west window a couple of feet back works. Too little light means few flowers and leggy canes. Direct midday sun scorches the leaves.
Water
Water when the top inch is dry, every five days or so in summer and every nine in winter, at the soil. Keep the leaves dry. The canes store some water and it forgives a missed day; it does not forgive standing in a wet saucer.
Soil and potting
A light, airy potting mix with a third perlite, in a pot with drainage. Repot yearly in spring, two inches up. Tall plants need a heavy pot or a stake.
Feeding
Quarter-strength balanced feed every three weeks through the growing season, or a bloom feed while flowering.
Propagation
Stem cuttings with two or three nodes root in water in two to three weeks. The prunings from keeping it bushy are your cuttings.
In a hot, dry home
Manageable. It is happier at forty percent humidity than the rex types, so a pebble tray and a plant group are usually enough. Keep it out of the AC's path and away from hot glass, water at the soil, and it will flower through a desert summer in an east window.
Angel Wing Begonia varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Corallina (Lucerna)
The classic: silver-spotted green leaves and coral-pink flower clusters.
- Pink Spotted
Heavier silver spotting and pink flowers.
- Macarena Cruz
Dark, glossy, red-backed leaves with white flowers.
- Miss Milly
Silver-dusted leaves with a pink flush.
- Strawberry
Pink-spotted leaves and strawberry-red flowers.
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The polka-dot begonia: silver dots on olive wings, red beneath. Has its own profile.
Full profile
Problems and fixes
Tall bare canes with leaves only at the top
Likely cause: Not pruned
Fix: Cut canes back by a third in spring; new shoots come from the base.
No flowers
Likely cause: Not enough light
Fix: Move it to a brighter window.
White powder on leaves
Likely cause: Powdery mildew
Fix: Remove affected leaves, improve airflow, keep water off the leaves.
Leaves dropping
Likely cause: Overwatering or cold draft
Fix: Let the top inch dry; move away from vents.
Angel Wing Begonia questions
Is angel wing begonia pet safe?
No. Begonias contain calcium oxalates that cause vomiting if chewed.
How do I keep it bushy?
Prune the canes back by a third each spring and pinch the tips through summer. Root the prunings for more plants.
Does it flower indoors?
Yes, readily, in a bright window from spring to autumn. Hanging clusters of pink, red, coral or white.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Polka Dot Plant
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Every few days
- Pets
- Safe
