Begonia 'Black Fang'

RHS Plant Profile
begonia 'Black Fang'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Begonia 'Black Fang'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Award of Garden Merit
Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
1 Suppliers

A rhizomatous perennial to 50cm, with sharply divided, dark red, almost black leaves with pale green veining at the centres. Produces sprays of small, pale pink flowers, speckled with darker pink, on upright, reddish green stems in spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

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
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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
Bushy
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, well-drained, neutral to slightly acid potting compost, in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately when in growth, ideally by immersing pots and allowing to drain, as this helps to prevent waterlogging. See begonias: houseplants for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by leaf cuttings, or by root cuttings using sections of rhizome

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Remove faded flower stems after flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

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