Begonia heracleifolia

RHS Plant Profile

star begonia

Other common names

star leaf begonia

Synonyms

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

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