Plant Care Library

Other Names:  Himalayan Silver Begonia, Silver Leaf Begonia

Description:

A striking begonia with stunning silver leaves, creating a visual impact; white blooms with hints of shell pink are produced primarily through winter; prefers some humidity; a bright addition to a shaded area

Features & Attributes

Silver Begonia's attractive glossy pointy leaves remain silver in color with distinctive chartreuse veins and tinges of grayish green throughout the year on a plant with a mounded habit of growth. It features subtle spikes of white orchid-like flowers with shell pink overtones and gold throats rising above the foliage from late winter to mid spring.

This is a dense herbaceous evergreen houseplant with a mounded form. This plant usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning.

Planting & Growing

When grown indoors, Silver Begonia can be expected to grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. This houseplant performs well in both bright or indirect sunlight and strong artificial light, and can therefore be situated in almost any well-lit room or location. It does best in average to evenly moist soil, but will not tolerate standing water. The surface of the soil shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, and so you should expect to water this plant once and possibly even twice each week. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soil. Contact the store for specific recommendations on pre-mixed potting soil for this plant.

There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.

-- THIS IS A HOUSEPLANT AND IS NOT MEANT TO SURVIVE THE WINTER OUTDOORS IN OUR CLIMATE --