Begonia radicans Vell.

RHS Plant Profile

shrimp begonia

Synonyms

Begonia glaucophylla hort. P. Henderson scandens
Begonia liminghii
Begonia procumbens
Begonia limmingheiana
Begonia limminghei
Begonia limmingheana
Begonia undulata hort.
Begonia glaucophylla

Houseplants

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An evergreen, rhizomatous perennial with slender, trailing stems to 45cm long. Ovate to heart-shaped, pointed, shiny leaves to 7cm across, are blue-green with white spots above, purple beneath, and have slightly wavy margins. In winter it produces orange-red flowers to 2.5cm across in loose clusters

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 or South–facing or West–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: Trailing
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: Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in well-drained, neutral to slightly acid, peat-free, loam-based compost in bright, filtered light with shade from hot sun. See begonias: houseplants for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed, leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

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