How to grow and care for Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) Indoors
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Botanical name: Begonia coccinea
Family: Begoniaceae
Common names: Angel Wing Begonia, Scarlet Begonia
Begonia coccinea Description
Begonia coccinea commonly called Angel Wing Begonia or Scarlet Begonia is an evergreen shrubby plant which bears large, glossy, red-margined leaves. The leaves are 'angel wing' shaped and hence the common name.
This evergreen flowering Begonia has the advantage of keeping its beautiful 'Angel Wing' leaves through out the year.
Begonia coccinea is one of the popular cane-stemmed Begonias and is easy to grow and propagate.
Begonia coccinea Size
Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) can reach the height of 6 ft or more if left unpruned.
Begonia coccinea Flower
The waxy flowers in Begonia coccinea are large clusters which hang from the stems. The flowers come in red, white, orange and pink.
Begonia coccinea Origin
Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) is native to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, distributed in Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo.
Buy beautiful and healthy Begonia Plants from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) Care Indoors
Begonia coccinea grows best in bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil. It requires an average warmth away from cold draughts (drafts) inorder to thrive.
The best soil for Angel Wing Begonia should be free-draining and rich in organic matter. Read on for a detailed account on the best growing conditions for Begonia coccinea.
Begonia coccinea Light Requirements
Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light.
Inadequate light for your Begonia coccinea will result in a leggy plant and prevents flowering while too intense light causes the leaves to curl and turn brown.
Keep your Scarlet Begonia away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to Water Begonia coccinea
For optimum growth of Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia), keep the soil moist during the growing period but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Reduce watering for your Begonia coccinea during the cold months as growth is minimal. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Ensure the pot for your Scarlet Begonia has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Temperature for Begonia coccinea
The best temperature for growing Begonia coccinea indoors is an average warmth with a minimum 150C.
Protect your Scarlet Begonia from cold draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity for Begonia coccinea
Average room humidity is adequate for Begonia coccinea. Where the room temperatures are too high making the air too dry, raise humidity for your Angel Wing Begonia by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Do not mist your Scarlet Begonia as wetting the leaves may lead to fungal infestations. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Occasionally clean the leaves of your Begonia coccinea by damp-wiping with a soft cloth. Read more on how to clean houseplants.
Begonia coccinea Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) with a balanced, liquid fertilizer weekly during the growing period.
To promote blooming in your Begonia coccinea, apply a phosphorous-rich fertilizer weekly when the buds begin to form.
Withhold feeding your Scarlet Begonia during the cold season as growth is minimal. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
How to Repot Begonia coccinea
Repot Begonia coccinea at the beginning of the growing period only if the plant has become root-bound or is too large for the pot as it prefers to be slightly root-bound.
Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.
Do not repot a flowering Scarlet Begonia as the shock of repotting will cut short the flowering.
Soil for Begonia coccinea
The best soil for Begonia coccinea should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for Angel Wing Begonia. Buy quality Potting Mix for your Scarlet Begonia from Etsy.
How to prune Begonia coccinea
Pruning Begonia coccinea is easy. Remove the dead flowers, yellow and dead leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy. Do not pinch the growing buds.
Cut back the bare Begonia coccinea stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
The foliage emanating from pruning can be used to propagate new Scarlet Begonia plants. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) Propagation
Begonia coccinea can be propagated from stem-tip cuttings at the beginning of the growing period. The stem cuttings root easily, therefore, there is no need for a rooting hormone.
How to propagate Begonia coccinea from stem-tip cuttings
Take a 3-4 in. stem-tip cutting from a healthy Begonia coccinea plant. Ensure each cutting has at least 2-3 leaf nodes as this where new growth will come from. Strip off the lower leaves.
Insert the Scarlet Begonia cuttings in moist, free-draining potting mix and place the set up in a warm, shaded place.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. Allow the new Begonia coccinea to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Photo Credit: Proven Winners
Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) Problems Indoors
Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia) problems indoors are due to cultural faults in watering, humidity, lighting, temperature, pests among others. Continue reading for the remedies and solutions.
Begonia coccinea yellow leaves
Yellow leaves in Begonia coccinea are due to two possible reasons. One possible cause of yellow leaves in your Angel Wing Begonia is too little light.
Move your Begonia coccinea to a brighter spot as Begonia coccinea prefers bright, indirect light but away from direct sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light.
The second possible cause of yellow leaves in your Scarlet Begonia is too little or too much water.
Maintain the soil moist at all times but never soggy and never allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Begonia coccinea leaf drop
There are three possible causes of leaf drop (loss of leaves) in Begonia coccinea. The first possible cause of leaf drop in your Angel Wing Begonia is too little light.
Move your Begonia coccinea to a brighter spot as Begonia coccinea prefers bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light.
The second possible cause of leaf drop in your Scarlet Begonia is too much heat.
The best temperature for your Begonia coccinea is average room temperature, that is, a temperature that is comfortable for you is good for your plant.
The third possible cause of leaf drop in your Angel Wing Begonia is too much water in the soil (soggy soil). Ensure the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Begonia coccinea flower bud drop
There are two possible causes of flower bud drop in Begonia coccinea. One possible cause of flower bud drop in Begonia coccinea is dry air, in other words, low air humidity.
To raise humidity for your Angel Wing Begonia, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Do not mist the leaves to avoid fungal diseases infestations. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
The second possible cause of flower bud drop in your Scarlet Begonia is underwatering. Maintain the soil moist at all times and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Begonia coccinea brown leaf tips
If the air humidity is too low, your Begonia coccinea will respond with brown leaf tips.
Raise the humidity for your Scarlet Begonia by setting the pot on wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier but do not mist the leaves to prevent disease infestation.
Begonia coccinea pale, rotting leaves
The reason for pale, rotting leaves in Begonia coccinea is soggy soil. Maintain the soil moist but not soggy. Ensure the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Begonia coccinea white powdery spots
White powdery spots is an indication of Powdery Mildew in your Begonia coccinea.
Isolate the affected plant, cut off diseased leaves and treat appropriately. Avoid damp conditions and low temperatures and improve air circulation.
Begonia coccinea brown blotches which turn grey and moldy
Brown blotches which turn grey and moldy is an indication of Botrytis Disease in your Begonia coccinea.
Isolate the affected Angel Wing Begonia, cut off diseased parts and treat appropriately. Avoid low light and over damp conditions and improve air circulation.
Begonia coccinea collapse or dying
There are three possible reasons for plant collapse or death of Begonia coccinea. One possible reason for plant collapse for your Scarlet Begonia is Stem Rot Disease due to soggy soil.
The second possible reason for plant collapse for your Begonia coccinea is Nematodes (Root Knot Eelworm) which are characterized by swollen bumps on roots.
The third possible reason for plant collapse for your Angel Wing Begonia is Vine Weevil which is characterized by tunnels in the rhizomes.
Begonia coccinea pests
Begonia coccinea pests; Aphids and Spider Mites. Isolate the affected the plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Is Begonia coccinea toxic?
All parts of Begonia coccinea and especially the roots are considered toxic to pets.
If ingested Scarlet Begonia may cause burning in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains.
