Begonia maculata Ø6cm

Begonia maculata is the begonia with silver dots on olive leaves and a wine-red underside that lights the plant up when backlit. Straight, bamboo-like canes and asymmetric wing-shaped leaves make it one of the most theatrical houseplants. When mature, it also sends out clusters of pearly-white flowers. An elegant challenge, easy to please with bright indirect light and humid air. Care instructions The good news is that this begonia grows fast. In a single season, a young plant like ours can double in size, raising new canes from the base and turning from a desk specimen into a generous presence that over time can reach 60-90 cm, and under ideal conditions even more than a metre. The secret to a dense, balanced plant is pinching: cut the tips of the longer canes above a node, and the plant will branch from below the cut, becoming bushier. Nothing it asks for is complicated - it is simply a plant that responds to attention. Here is everything you need to know, gathered in one place: Light: bright but indirect light. An east- or west-facing window filtered through a sheer curtain is perfect. Keep it from direct midday rays, which fade the dots and scorch the leaf margins; too little light, on the other hand, dulls the dots and stretches the canes. Temperature: it is happiest between 18 and 24 °C, which is exactly the comfort of a home. It favours steady temperatures; avoid cold draughts from a door or window in winter and proximity to a radiator, which dries the air. Watering: water when the top 2-3 cm of substrate has dried out, then water thoroughly and let the excess drain away completely. It does not tolerate 'wet feet': standing water in the saucer leads to root rot. In winter, water less often. Humidity: it loves humid air, around 50-60% or more. Group it with other plants, set it on a tray of pebbles and water, or use a humidifier in dry rooms. Avoid direct, frequent misting on the leaves, which can encourage spotting and mildew. Substrate: a loose, well-drained, airy mix - for example indoor potting soil blended with perlite and a little bark or coco fibre. A pot with drainage holes is essential. Feeding: in the growing season, from spring to autumn, feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength. Stop feeding in winter. Propagation: very easy from cane cuttings. Cut a segment with one or two nodes, place it in water or straight into moist substrate, keep it warm and bright, and within a few weeks you will have a new plant - the simplest way to fill your window or to pass a specimen on. If small problems appear, do not be discouraged - they are signals easy to read, not obstacles. Leaves that drop suddenly usually betray a cold draught or an abrupt change in temperature, so move the plant away from the front door or the window that opens in winter. Powdery, whitish patches appear when the air sits too humid and still around the leaves; airing the room a little and giving up direct misting makes them disappear. Dry, scorched margins call for more moisture in the air or less direct light, while long canes with sparse leaves simply tell you the plant is reaching for more light. All these adjustments are minor, and the plant responds to them quickly, putting out new leaves as soon as conditions settle back into place. It is, from start to finish, a plant that forgives and that learns alongside you. With these few pointers, Begonia maculata becomes a lasting companion and a natural gateway into the world of collector begonias. Once you have mastered this one, your eye will inevitably wander to the velvety textures of a Begonia masoniana (Iron Cross) - and so a passion begins. Specifications Pot diameter: 6 cm