About
Begonia 'Black Knight' (R) is a tender, evergreen perennial that grows to about 35cm in height. It features large, obliquely heart-shaped leaves in a deep burgundy hue, accented by a band of pale pink and white speckles along the edges. From late summer through autumn, it produces clusters of pink flowers.
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
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing, North-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- 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, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in light, open, very well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic, peat-free potting compost, and in bright indirect light, at an optimum temperature of 19-23ºC; water moderately when in growth, with balanced liquid fertilizer at alternate waterings; lift tubers in autumn, dry off, and store, then plant again in spring; for more advice, see begonia cultivation (outdoor)
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by root cuttings of rhizome sections in summer, or by leaf cuttings in spring or summer in a propagating case, in partial shade
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds (Botrytis), powdery mildews, stem rot, and rhizome rot