12 Types of Begonia Plants Varieties for Indoors with Names and Pictures


Begonia are perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae which are popular for indoor growing on account of their spectacular foliage and beautiful blooms.

The Begonia genus comprises of about 2000 species which are native to the moist subtropical and tropical regions in South and Central America, Africa and Southern Asia.

Begonias prefer medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions which mimicks their natural environment. The best soil for growing Begonias should be consistently moist, well-drained and rich in organic matter.

Begonia Plants are a magnificent addition for your plant collection. We have below outlined for you 12 spectacular Begonia Plants Varieties to make it easier for you to choose your favorite.

12 Different Kinds of Begonia Plants

Our selection of the 12 beautiful types of Begonia Plants include Begonia coccinea, Begonia lucerna, Begonia maculata, Begonia rex, Begonia semperflorens, Begonia grandis, Begonia glabra among others.

1. Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia)

Angel Wing Begonia, Scarlet Begonia, Begonia coccinea

Angel Wing Begonia also called 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.

Scarlet Begonia is a cane-stemmed Begonia, about 6 feet high and bears large clusters of waxy flowers which beautifully hang from the stems. The flowers come in red, white, orange and pink. It is one of the best indoor flowering plants.

Begonia coccinea thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight (dappled light), average warmth of 18-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil with weekly feeding in the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Begonia coccinea (Angel Wing Begonia)

2. Begonia Corallina de Lucerna (Begonia lucerna)

Begonia lucerna, Begonia Corallina de Lucerna

Begonia Lucerna is an evergreen, flowering Begonia whose leaves are narrow 'Angel Wings', olive-green with small silver spots on the top and often red-veined. The flowers are large clusters which hang from the stems.

On account of its and magnificent foliage, Begonia lucerna is one of the best low-light indoor trees as it grow to a height of 10 feet or more if left unpruned.

Begonia lucerna flourishes in medium to bright, indirect light, moderate warmth of 18-240C, above average humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Read more on how to grow and care for Begonia Corallina de Lucerna

3. Begonia maculata (Polka Dot Begonia)

Begonia maculata, Polka Dot Begonia

Polka Dot Begonia also called Begonia maculata, Trout Begonia or Spotted Begonia is an evergreen, shrubby, flowering plant which bears large, glossy, olive-green leaves blotched with white dot-like spots and hence the common name.

Spotted Begonia can reach the height of 8 feet or more if left unpruned. On account of its large, spectacular foliage, Trout Begonia is among the large-leafed indoor plants that make a bold statement.

Begonia maculata blossoms in bright, indirect light (filtered light), moderate warmth of 18-260C, average humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with weekly feeding during the growing season.

Learn how to grow and care for Begonia maculata (Polka Dot Begonia)

4. Begonia rex (Painted-leaf Begonia)

Begonia rex, Painted-leaf Begonia

Painted-leaf Begonia also called Fancy Leaf Begonia is an easy to grow Begonia which is grown for its foliage display where the large, lop-sided, spectacular leaves occur in various hues.

Fancy Leaf Begonia has a clumping growth habit with the foliage tightly packed together. The leaves arise from rhizomes and may be ruffled, puckered, spotted, streaked, waxy, smooth and so on. It is one of the most popular plants for the home on account of its magnificent foliage.

Begonia Rex grows best in bright, indirect light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, average warmth of 18-260C, above average humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Read more on how to grow and care for Begonia rex (Painted-leaf Begonia)

5. Begonia semperflorens (Wax Begonia)

Wax Begonia, Begonia semperflorens

Wax Begonia is a small, leafy bush about 6-12 inches high which blooms almost the year round when give the right growing conditions. It is one of the easiest of the flowering Begonias.

The Wax Begonia hybrids have a wide range of flower types in red, white, orange and pink. Newer Wax Begonia hybrids are regularly developed which are more compact and have bigger blooms. These spectacular blooms place this plant among the best plants for the front porch or main entrance.

Begonia semperflorens performs best in bright, indirect light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, moderate warmth of 18-270C, above average humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Learn more on how to grow and care for Begonia semperflorens (Wax Begonia)

6. Begonia grandis (Hardy Begonia)

Begonia grandis, Hardy Begonia

Hardy Begonia is a tuberous Begonia which bears alternate simple leaves on arching stems. The leaves are olive green with red veining and colorful undersides.

The flowers are clusters of pink or white borne at the tips of the pink-red arching stems and appear in late summer.

Hardy Begonia is a perennial plant which can grow to a height of 2 feet and 2 feet wide. It easily propagates from bulbils borne on the leaf axils.

7. Begonia glabra (Climbing Sorrel)

Begonia glabra, Climbing Sorrel

Begonia glabra is a vining Begonia which bears shiny leaves and grows roots which clasp on anything they can find as it climbs. Under good lighting, the young leaves are a bright red color which fades to green as they mature.

Climbing Sorrel is native to South and Central America and Mexico where it grows as an epiphyte, climbing on trees. Due to its high requirement for warm, humid conditions, it does well in a closed terrarium.

8. Begonia luxurians (Palm Leaf Begonia)

Begonia luxurians, Palm Leaf Begonia

Palm Leaf Begonia bears large, palmate leaves with coppery undersides on red-purple, cane-like stems.

The flowers are pale yellow to white and fragrant which appear in spring through summer.

Begonia luxurians is native to the rainforests of Brazil. This palm-like Begonia is a large plant which grows to a height of about 9 feet.

9. Begonia obliqua

Begonia obliqua

Begonia obliqua is a hardy, tuberous Begonia which forms a bushy mound and grows to a height of about 2 feet.

It is grown for the foliage. The leaves are large, obliquely ovate and olive-green colored. The inflorescence is a cluster of pendant white flowers.

This Begonia obliqua is native to Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe where it grows in warm, humid conditions and consistently moist soil that is rich in organic matter.

10. Begonia quadrialata

Begonia quadrialata

Begonia quadrialata is a compact, rhizomatous Begonia which bears green leaves with dark-red veins and grows to a height of 8 inch.

It bears small hairs on the edges of the leaves and on the leaf petioles.

Begonia quadrialata is native to Central Africa to Angola where it grows in warm, humid conditions. This coupled with its compact size make it ideal for a well lit bathroom, kitchen or laundry area.

11. Begonia sanguinea (Blood-red Begonia)

Begonia sanguinea, Blood-red Begonia

Blood-red Begonia also called Beefsteak Begonia bears large, thick, brownish-gree leaves and pendant stems.

The flowers are white and appear in winter through spring. The plant grows to a height of 1.5-2 feet.

Blood-red Begonia is native to Southern Brazil. It is easily propagated and is ideal for a hanging basket.

12. Begonia cleopatrae (Mapleleaf Begonia)

Begonia cleopatrae, Mapleleaf Begonia

Mapleleaf Begonia a low maintenance, rhizomatous, bushy Begonia which bears large, thick, red leaves with pale green marks down the center and pale strippings around the edges.

The flowers are clusters of small, pale-pink flowers which appear in winter through spring.

Mapleleaf Begonia is native to Philippines. It grows to a height of 2 feet and 2 feet wide and grows best in a terrarium.

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