Begonia argenteo guttata

The leaves of Begonia ‘Argenteo guttata’ are the same shape as those of stinging nettles, although much more attractive. They look as if they are covered with a sprinkling of snow. The red of the leaves’ underside can sometimes be seen on the upper surface of the leaves. Begonia ‘Argenteo guttata’ can become extremely large for a begonia but can also be kept small for a terrarium. It produces large numbers of flowers with a cluster of yellow stamens or a yellow pistil at the centre.

Begonia ‘Argenteo does not require much maintenance. It needs plenty of light but must be kept away from direct sunlight. The ideal indoor temperature is between 20⁰C and 25 C but must never be lower than 10⁰C or higher than 30⁰C . During the daytime it needs humidity of 70%, rising to 90% at night. The growing medium should never be allowed to dry out completely. In a terrarium it should be misted using a spray if it is in danger of drying out. If Begonia ‘Argenteo is being grown as a houseplant, place the pot in a dish and add water. Feed with fertiliser once every two weeks. Good air circulation in a terrarium will help prevent disease and infection. The best growing medium consists of a peat-based mixture. There are several options to choose from in the section entitled ‘Plant accessories’. Begonia ‘Argenteo guttata’ can be pruned when necessary.