Begonia hatacoa “Starter”

Begonia hatacoa occurs naturally in northern India, Bangladesh, southern China, Nepal and Bhutan. It is a species that prefers to grow between a height of 1200m and 2000m. This makes the begonia accustomed to lower temperatures than many other species from Asia. The plant grows to approximately 40 cm. The leaves with an asymmetrical shape bundle into a thick, deep green foliage. The leaves have strong upright veins and a blood-red bottom. The flowers of Begonia hatacoa grow on a long stem above this foliage and each have four petals. The top and bottom have a beautiful pink stripes pattern in addition to a white color.

Begonia hatacoa grows naturally in moist areas in the forest and next to flowing streams. As a result, in your home the species needs a temperature of around 18°C. It is possible to keep the plant outside as long as it is out of drafts and the temperature does not fall below 5°C. The best place for the plant is in partial shade, because direct sunlight can cause the species to dry out or even burn. It is also possible to keep the Begonia hatacoa in a terrarium with a temperate climate, instead of outside. The soil must not be allowed to dry out. Make sure that moisture cannot remain in the pot, for example by mixing a layer of bark and pumice as a bottom layer. This way you prevent root rot for which many begonias are susceptible. You can find this in our "Plant accessories" section. If you want to give the plant some support during growth, you can add normal plant food to the soil once every two weeks.