Begonia hatacoa 'Silver'

RHS Plant Profile

begonia 'Silver'

Synonyms

Begonia hatacoa silver-leaved

Herbaceous Perennial Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A rhizomatous perennial, to around 40cm high, with creeping rhizomes, upright stems and lance-shaped green leaves with a metallic silver sheen on the upper surface, and tints of pink on the undersides. Loose clusters of small white flowers with a hint of pink are produced, primarily in late winter and early spring, but intermittently year round when grown under glass

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–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: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic loam, with protection from hot afternoon sun. This species appreciates humidity and indirect light. For more advice see begonias: houseplants

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings of rhizome sections in summer, or by leaf cuttings in spring or summer in a propagating case, in partial shade

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, thrips, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis), powdery mildews and stem rot