Begonia hoehneana

Description

Begonia hoehneana is a delightful, miniature species, with cute and attractive foliage, and a compact growth form.

Endemic to Brazil, it is typically found growing as a lithophyte, on shaded, moist, calcareous rocks, around caves.

Foliage

The leaves are pubescent (hairy), round to reniform (kidney shaped), with crenate (rounded toothy) margins, and sometimes a moderately bullate (raised bumpy) texture following the radial pattern of the leaf veins

Growth habit

Begonia hoehneana is a creeping, rhizomatous species, which creates compact clumps.

Flowers

The blooms are small (about ½” diameter), delicate, white in color, with bright yellow stamens, appearing in groups of several on a thin, branching stalk.

Stems

The petioles are a fleshy pink or sometimes reddish pink color and are covered in hairs.

Culture info

Begonia hoehneana is well suited as a terrarium plant, provided you avoid keeping the roots and foliage too wet.

Substrate

This Begonia needs a substrate which is well-draining, but still holds moisture.

It is quite tolerant of a wide range of pH levels, and will grow in acidic or neutral substrates, such as potting mixes, African Violet mixes, and Sphagnum moss. That said, to mimic the conditions of its natural habitat, it may be appropriate to use a slightly alkaline substrate mix.

The plant can be grown terrestrially in a pot or terrarium, or in an epiphytic or lithophytic manner, on a log or rock, respectively.

You can browse the substrates list on my Amazon page to see some of the substrates that I use for my plants and terrariums.

Water

This species needs to be moist, but never wet, and never too dry.

If it dries out too much, there could be severe wilting and potential loss of foliage or the entire plant.

If it’s too wet, the roots and rhizome could rot, and the foliage could melt.

Water at the roots to avoid getting the foliage wet, or otherwise ensure that the leaves dry out relatively quickly.

Humidity

Begonia hoehneana needs high humidity.

Temperature

Intermediate temperatures suit this species.

The plant maybe become wilted and stressed in hot temperatures.

Light

This plant looks best in low to medium light levels.

The dimmer the light is, the more green the foliage will be, potentially with a slightly bluish or aquamarine color cast and some iridescence. It may also have a maroon undertone radiating from the center of the leaf.

The plant will also be slightly larger and more open than in brighter light.

As light intensity increases, the plant becomes more compact, and the foliage turns pink, bronze, and similar warm colors.

By the way, I have a video that shows and discusses the lights I use for my plants, as well as a tutorial series for how to set up a grow rack.

Air

Begonia hoehneana definitely benefits from having some air movement, which helps prevent the leaves and stems from staying wet too long after watering.

Fertilizer

A low dose of Osmocote Plus slow release fertilizer, or other gentle and diluted fertilizer, is recommended.

See my plant fertilization video for more info, or pick up some of my recommended fertilizers on Amazon.

Propagation

Begonia hoehneana, like most species in its genus, are easily and best propagated by leaf cuttings.