Begonia luxurians aka Palm Leaved Begonia

Taxonomy

Begonia luxurians, also known as Palm-Leaf Begonia, is a species of flowering plant native to southeastern Brazil. It belongs to the Begonia family and is one of the 2,000 recognized species. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its distinct features. The lance-like leaflets fan out from the centre and droop downward, the underside of the leaves being a reddish bronze and the cane-stems a purplish crimson. The creamy white fragrant flowers bloom in large clusters. It is also noteworthy that Begonia contains oxalic acid, so caution must be taken when growing them in a home with pets or small children.

Common names

Palm Leaved Begonia

How to care for Palm Leaved Begonia

Difficulty

Palm Leaved Begonia requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Palm Leaved Begonia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Palm Leaved Begonia loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Palm Leaved Begonia prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

The Palm Leaved Begonia does not follow a standard dormancy pattern. If you observe a significant decrease in its growth rate, make sure that it is receiving an adequate amount of sunlight and water to flourish.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Humidity

The Palm Leaved Begonia does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.

Fertilizer

The Palm Leaved Begonia should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Palm Leaved Begonia’s native range is Tropics and Subtropics worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia