Begonia decora (hairy begonia) — Bushy

Overview

Begonia decora is a bushy conservatory greenhouse in the genus Begonia, part of the Begoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Begonia decora grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1c. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, patio and container plants, cottage and informal garden and flower borders and beds. It is native to Malaya.

About

Begonia decora is a tender conservatory and houseplant native to Malaya, grown under glass or indoors in the UK. It forms a well-branched, multi-stemmed, rounded plant and is deciduous. It prefers partial shade and a moist, well-drained loam of neutral pH. It flowers from June to October.

About the genus

Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus contains more than 2,000 different plant species, distributed primarily across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, with Africa considered the center of origin. Some species are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants in cooler climates, or cultivated outside in summertime for their bright colorful flowers, which have petals but no sepals.

Wikipedia contributors, "Begonia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Begonia

In the garden

Begonia decora originates from Malaya and is usually cultivated in the UK as a conservatory, greenhouse or indoor specimen where frost can be excluded. The plant develops as a well-branched, multi-stemmed clump and sheds its foliage seasonally. Flowers appear between June and October when conditions are warm and sheltered. Position the plant in partial shade—north-, east- or west-facing windows and bright conservatory corners suit it best—and avoid full sun. Use a loam-based compost kept moist but well drained; a neutral soil pH is preferred. The exposure should be sheltered from cold winds and driving rain, so containers on a protected patio or inside a greenhouse work better than exposed beds. The UK hardiness rating H1c indicates the plant is tender and needs frost-free conditions through winter. Begonia decora adapts to pots and containers as well as protected borders in summer, making it suitable for city and courtyard gardens, patios, and cottage-style beds when moved into shelter for cold months. Take care with watering: keep the rootball evenly moist without waterlogging. As a deciduous species it will lose leaves going into cooler weather, so plan repotting or major pruning for when new growth begins in spring rather than during its rest.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Begonia

Sunlight: Partial shade
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H1c

Plant details

Begonia decora size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
Habit: Bushy
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Flower borders and beds
Native to: Malaya

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Begonia decora

Propagation: Seed, stem, tip or leaf cuttings
Pest resistance: Caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil, aphids
Disease resistance: Grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot, rhizome rot