About

Begonia 'Erythrophylla' is a perennial plant that maintains its foliage year-round. It features thick, rounded leaves that can grow up to 15 cm wide, displaying a dark green surface while the undersides are a deep red-brown. In late winter and early spring, pale pink flowers emerge on dark pink stems, rising above the leaves.

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, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H1B

Plant details

Plant type
Houseplants
Habit
Trailing
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Houseplants, Sub-tropical
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
Under glass, grow in well-drained, neutral to slightly acid, peat-free, loam-based compost in bright, filtered light with high humidity. See begonias: houseplants for further information
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome
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