Begonia heracleifolia

RHS Plant Profile
star begonia

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star begonia Dorling Kindersley Ltd
star begonia Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Other common names

star leaf begonia

Synonyms

Begonia trigonoptera
Begonia radiata
Begonia punctata
Begonia tanacetifolia
Begonia heracleifolia var. punctata
Begonia longipila
Begonia jatrophifolia
Begonia heracleifolia var. longipila
Begonia heracleifolia var. nigricans
Begonia nigrescens

Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

A rhizomatous species whose palmate leaves have white principal veins, a green inner zone and a darker outline. Their undersides are burgundy and the leaf stems are spotted with red. Flowers may be pale pink or white and are held in upright clusters

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Begoniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Begonia can be annuals, evergreen or deciduous perennials or shrubs, with fibrous, tuberous or rhizomatous roots and usually asymmetrical leaves, often strikingly patterned, and small or large flowers, both male and female in the same cluster
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico to Honduras

How to Grow

Cultivation

May go dormant after flowering, in which case, reduce watering and keep on the dry side until growth resumes. See begonia cultivation - houseplants

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged leaves and spent flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot