Angel Wing Begonia

Begonia coccinea     Origin: Central and South America

First bred in 1926, these beautiful begonias have feathery leaves that are dark, glossy, and often speckled with white dots. Cultivated in dozens of hybrid varieties, their pendant flowers attract butterflies and bees when hung outside.

Common Issues

Unusual coloring: Light green leaves indicate too much light or too much water, thin and dark green leaves indicate too little light. 
Leaf rot: Leaves may rot if misted or kept wet for too long.
Lack of flowers: This may be due to insufficient light or fertilizer. Move your African Violet to a brighter spot.
Ring spot: Cold water may create white rings on your African Violets’ leaves. Consider letting tap water sit overnight before watering to ensure a safe temperature and allow any chlorine to evaporate. 

Light: These plants prefer bright, indirect light, so an eastern or western exposure in the home is best.

Water: Keep the soil moist, but never soggy, and allow your Angel Wing to dry out a bit between waterings. Touch the soil—if it doesn't feel damp until an inch or so down, it's time to water again.

Humidity: Though it can survive in regular humidity conditions, this plant prefers humid air and would benefit from a humidifier, the occasional pebble tray, or by being kept near other plants.

Growth: Angel wing begonias grow from a few branching stems covered with oblong, slightly undulating leaves that are speckled with white on the top and tinged red underneath. Small clusters of pink flowers droop down like pendants between the leaves.

Soil: These plants grow best in a humus-rich, well-draining potting soil. A ready-made commercial mix made for African Violets works well.

Temperature: Keep the temperature between 65-75°F for optimal growth. Any lower than 50°F will damage your plant's leaves and flowers.

Repotting: Repot in the spring or summer, but be cautious because Angel wings are better off being slightly root-bound. Sitting in too much soil can quickly lead to root rot.

Extra TLC: In order to encourage branching and create a fuller shrub, you might need to prune your begonia and pinch it when it gets misshapen.