About
Begonia 'Black Fang' is a rhizomatous perennial that reaches heights of up to 50 cm. It features sharply divided leaves that are a deep red, approaching black, accented by pale green veining in the center. In spring, it produces clusters of small, pale pink flowers marked with darker pink speckles, borne on upright, reddish-green stems.
About the genus
Begonias can be found as annuals, evergreen or deciduous perennials, or shrubs. They possess fibrous, tuberous, or rhizomatous root systems. The leaves are typically asymmetrical and frequently feature distinctive patterns. Flowers can vary in size and include both male and female forms within the same cluster.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Toxicity
- Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in light, well-drained, neutral to slightly acid potting compost, in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately when in growth, ideally by immersing pots and allowing to drain, as this helps to prevent waterlogging. See begonias: houseplants for more detailed advice
- Pruning
- Remove faded flower stems after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by leaf cuttings, or by root cuttings using sections of rhizome
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, thrips, vine weevils and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot