Begonia acontifolia

Begonia acontifolia has green leaves with a pronounced pattern of veins, between which it has whitish pink blotches resembling spilled paint. The red stems create an eye-catching contrast. The pale pink flowers have a star-shaped base like those of Begonia serratipetala. Begonia acontifolia has stems like bamboo canes that are more than a metre tall.

Begonia acontifolia is not difficult to cultivate. It grows best in partial shade. The ideal temperature is around 22⁰C, but certainly no lower than 10⁰C or higher than 30⁰C. Room temperature is fine provided the growing medium is kept moist. Either place sphagnum moss round the base of the plant or a dish containing water under the pot. Humidity needs to be around 65% during the daytime and 80% at night. To promote growth, fertilise the plant once or twice a month. In a terrarium, good air circulation will help prevent disease and infection. A mixture of peat and perlite makes a good growing medium. See “Plant accessories” for more details. If Begonia acontifolia threatens to outgrow the terrarium it can be pruned.