Begonia boliviensis or Bolivian begonia

Care of the indoor plant Begonia boliviensis or Bolivian begonia

The genus Begonia, family Begoniaceae, comprises 1,500 species and 10,000 cultivars of herbaceous plants native to subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, America and Africa. Some species are: Begonia boliviensis, Begonia semperflorens, Begonia rex, Begonia corallina, Begonia elatior, Begonia x tuberhybrida, Begonia nelumbiifolia, Begonia grandis, Begonia heracleifolia.

Common name: Bolivian begonia. This species is native to Bolivia.

They are perennial herbaceous plants with arched branches and hanging habit that reach 0.5 meters (1.64 feet) in height. The leaves have a serrated edge, a triangular-lanceolate shape and can be green or bronze, depending on the variety. The showy and abundant hanging flowers can be red, white or pink. They bloom from late spring to early fall.

They are easy to grow plants that are used as indoor plants in hanging pots or in clumps in gardens with a subtropical, tropical and even Mediterranean climate as long as they are free of frost.

Begonia boliviensis can grow in semi-shady or sunny exposures; bronze-leaved species are best for full sun. It can be grown in full shade but they grow less and produce fewer flowers. They can withstand temperatures of 3-5 ºC (37-41 ºF) but not frost.

A suitable soil can be a heather substrate with 30% siliceous sand. If the roots appear below the pot, it is time to transplant it (early spring).

Water moderately at a rate of 2 times a week in summer if it is very hot (for example in Mediterranean climate). Wait for the soil to dry before watering.

Fertilize in summer 1 time a month with mineral fertilizer and once compost at the beginning of spring.

Failing flowers should be pruned.

They are quite resistant to pests and diseases; you just have to watch over watering and slugs.

They propagate by division of the rhizome or by herbaceous cuttings.