About
Begonia 'Clara' (R) is a rhizomatous, evergreen perennial typically cultivated as an indoor plant. It features glossy green foliage and can reach heights of up to 30 cm. When grown indoors, it produces white flowers that may appear year-round, while outdoor cultivation allows for flowering in summer and autumn, often treated as an annual.
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
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants, Bedding
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical, Cottage and informal garden
- 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 as a houseplant in a minimum temperature of 10°C. Prefers part shade, or bright shade, but no direct sunlight. For more advice, see Begonias: houseplants. Can also be grown as a patio plant or in borders as an annual.
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in early spring in 21°C or propagate by softwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot