One of the most strikingly beautiful species of indoor plants is Begonia Maculate (also known as Polka Dot Begonia). Similarly, the Begonia maculate is a houseplant that has swept the plant world and is extremely popular. Large olive leaves with silvery-white polka dots and red undersides grace this plant. As the name implies, this exotic plant has unique silver-spotted leaves with red undersides.
When grown in the soil mix with sand and clay, the Begonia Maculate thrives. Keep the temperature between 67 to 70° Fahrenheit with high humidity, and water the soil just enough to keep it moist, but not soggy.
Learn how to care for Begonia maculate in this post, as well as some common problems and what you can do to prevent them.
BEGONIA MACULATE CARE TIPS AND GUIDE
LIGHTING
While most indoor plants prefer a bit of shade, the Polka dot Begonia prefers a bit more.
To keep the silvery-white olive leaves vibrant, place them in a bright, well-lit area away from direct sunlight
Make sure to place your plant in the shade, away from direct sunlight, if you like to take it outside during the summer.
The Roleadro 75w is the grow light we prefer. It has a low-price tag and is extremely powerful, resulting in rapid growth.
Do not place your grow light too close to your plants. Start moving your Begonia away from the grow light or to a less sunny area of your room if you notice scorched leaves.
LIGHTING TIPS FOR BEGONIA MACULATE
• Even in low-light conditions, Begonia Maculata plants can thrive.
• It’s important to rotate the plant every few weeks to ensure even leaf development.
• Instead of changing the light source, try moving it to a brighter location.
• Direct sunlight is too hot for Begonias. The leaves will be scorched, and the plant will suffer as a result of the heat.
SOIL
A mixture of sand, clay and loamy soil in a pot with good drainage is ideal for Begonia Maculata’s growth.
There is a high risk of root rot with this plant. A layer of broken terracotta pots or pebbles is always recommended for better drainage.
Plants that become root-bound in their current pot should be repotted twice as large.
SOIL TIPS FOR BEGONIA MACULATE
• Light, well-draining soil is needed for Begonia Maculatas to thrive.
• If you want to keep the roots happy, use a mixture of potting soil with perlite in it.
• This plant’s mix is 70% potting mix and 30% perlite.
• Maculatas should not be grown in heavy soil potting mix.
WATERING
For Begonia Maculata, finding the right balance between watering and irrigating can be a challenge.
First, the soil should be slightly damp, but not overly wet, before you begin planting. This is due to the plant’s susceptibility to root decay. The soil should be dry to about an inch deep before watering.
If you’re not sure whether to water it or not, wait until the leaves start to wilt, which is a sign that there’s not much water left in the pot.
Pour the water directly on the soil, avoiding the leaves.
WATERING TIPS FOR BEGONIA MACULATE
• You can use filtered water or wait 24 hours before watering plants to neutralize harmful chemicals.
• Your Begonia Maculata should be watered when the soil has dried down to about an inch.
• Watering should be done regularly (e.g., once a week) to avoid over-or under-watering the plant. Both can put the plant under a lot of strain.
• Humidity is a favorite of this plant. Begonias thrive in dry climates if a humidifier is nearby. Or, if you have enough light and floor space, put it in your kitchen or bathroom.
• In a dry climate, frequent misting will be beneficial to your skin’s health.
• The plant will require less water when it is dormant in the winter.
HUMIDITY
As an indoor plant, the Polka dot Begonia requires a lot of humidity.
As a result of the high moisture levels in the kitchen and bathroom, you may have to place them in these areas.
Alternatively, you can place it in your favorite room, but be sure to place a saucer of water beside it to ensure that it provides the proper humidity when the water evaporates.
Using a humidifier is a great way to increase humidity and ensure that your plants have high humidity levels at all times.
TEMPERATURE
Since the Begonia Maculata is native to tropical climates, it will not thrive in cold climates.
Between 67 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for this plant.
Temperature-related damage does not occur until temperatures fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even in temperate climates such as Europe.
TEMPERATURE TIPS FOR BEGONIA MACULATE
The ideal temperature range for Begonia Maculatas is 65°F to 85°F. It thrives in warm, humid climates.
FERTILIZING
Begonia Maculata should be fertilized every two weeks to promote healthy leaf growth and larger blooms.
Pour optimum results, use half of the recommended dosage of water-soluble fertilizer.
In this case, if the package instructs you to dilute the solution with one cup of water, use two cups.
PROPAGATION
Through cuttings, the Begonia Maculata is a relatively easy plant to propagate from seeds. Planting should be done during the winter months when blooming is at its lowest point.
Simple just cut off a stem with no flowers just below the bud and you’re done! In a jar of water, remove the lower leaves.
The plant should be kept in the jar until the roots begin to form, then remove. Next, plant it in a mix of sandy, loamy, and clay soils, and water thoroughly. The soil should be lightly moistened, but not overly saturated, before watering.
PROPAGATION TIPS FOR BEGONIA MACULATE
- It’s easy to propagate stem cuttings.
- A stem that is free of blooms can be cut below the node or bud point to create the cutting.
- Cut side down, place cutting in a jar with water.
- In six to eight weeks, the roots will begin to grow and establish themselves.
- At least 2-3 inches of root length is required for planting.
- To avoid stressing the plant, propagate in the winter.
FLOWERING
Flowers of Begonia Maculata have yellow centers and are borne on single stems with white petals. In the spring and fall, the Maculata flowers.
GROWTH
It reaches a height of about 1.5 m with Begonia Maculata. The leaves are usually asymmetrical and reach a maximum length of 20 cm.
While the leaf’s upper surface is dark green with silvery-white spots, its underside is a fiery red hue. They are pink to maroon in color when they are young.
Flowers are usually white to pale pink and form in single clusters. It’s important to remove any wilted flowers regularly to encourage new ones to grow.
If you want a beautiful bushy shape, you’ll need to prune it regularly. The best times to prune it are usually in the spring and summer.
Snip back the overgrown branches by about half their length just above the bud. Branches will grow out of the buds, giving the tree a nice, thick look and feel.
POTTING
Begonia Maculata’s growth cycle is not complete without the correct potting technique.
Choosing the right pot size and type is crucial to a plant’s success.
Begonia Maculata prefers to be in a pot, so it requires smaller pots than most other houseplants, according to the manufacturer. During the first few years of the plant’s life, repotting is essential.
Repotting is best done in the spring. Choose a pot that is one size larger than the current one when repotting it.
A container with good drainage and high moisture retention is ideal.
BEGONIA MACULATA PROBLEMS
POWDERY MILDEW
It is a fungus that appears as white spots on the foliage and quickly spreads on Begonias in general.
Leaves that are infected should be removed, and the plant should be treated with an appropriate fumigating agent. Low air circulation coupled with a high humidity level is a recipe for powdery mildew.
A humidifier or high humidity can cause powdery mildew, so you’ll want to increase air circulation to avoid it. If you’ve had this problem in the past, a ceiling fan, or even a portable fan, set on low to gently circulate the air, will help you avoid it in the future.
LEAVES WITH BROWN TIPS
When you allow your potting mix to become too dry, this is the most common cause. This can also be caused by a lack of humidity.
YELLOW LEAVES
Many factors contribute to the yellowing of plant leaves. Yellow foliage can be caused by potting soil that is either too dry or too wet. Feeling the potting mix will help you determine what could have caused the problem. Too much direct sunlight can also bleach out the color of the leaves.
THE FALLING OF LEAVES
As a result, if your plant’s environment is unbalanced, it may protest by dropping its leaves. If you’ve just brought your plant home, leaf drop is common. To adapt to its new environment, it will need some time. This problem can be avoided by maintaining a constant soil moisture level, warm temperatures, and adequate lighting.
LEANING OVER
When it grows, does your plant lean to one side? Begonia canes will need support as they grow. In the pot, insert thin bamboo stakes or similar support and loosely clip or tie the canes to provide the plant with a base.
TOXICITY OF BEGONIA
According to the ASPCA, Begonia maculata contains calcium oxalate, which is toxic to cats and dogs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY ARE BEGONIA MACULATA’S LEAVES TURNING YELLOW?
It’s a sign of overwatering if the leaves of this plant turn yellow and drop from the top. The roots must be allowed to dry out for them to grow.
WHY ARE MY BEGONIA MACULATA’S LEAVES FALLING OFF?
By nature, the Maculata plant can be temperamental, so make sure you follow our care instructions carefully. Most of the time, the humidity isn’t high enough to meet its requirements. This plant does not like stagnant or polluted air. This plant can suffer from a lingering ailment if the soil is heavy. Lastly, if all else fails, try moving it to another bright location in the sun.
HOW TO PROPAGATE BEGONIA MACULATA?
Cuttings are a good way to propagate the Maculata plant. A section of the Maculata plant with the stem attached is all that is needed. Place in freshwater. The plant’s roots should be growing into the water.