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Begonia goegoensis

fire-king begonia

A compact, rhizomatous evergreen perennial, with short creeping stems. Leaves are large and round to ovate, dark green and bronze with pale green veining. Young leaves are often red, and older leaves retain red edges and undersides. Produces sprays of pale pink flowers on arching stems in summer

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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)

H1A

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: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best if kept between 19-23°C (66-73°F), in bright light with shade from direct sun, in an open. free-draining potting mix. Enjoys fairly high humidity. In the growing season, water by immersing pots and allowing to drain; avoid waterlogging as this may cause rot

Propagation

Propagate by seed, leaf cuttings or root cuttings (sections of rhizome)

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Remove faded flowers and leaves as necessary

Pests

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

Diseases

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

Get involved

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