Bright and modest, huge and miniature, beautifully flowering or with unimaginable patterns on the leaves – begonias are delightfully diverse. And thanks to this, their beauty can be discovered endlessly. Deciduous hybrids that have become classics and flowering species demanding for wintering have already become boring for many. Those who are looking for something new in their favorite plants or want to assemble an original collection of begonias have plenty to choose from. The range of indoor begonias is not limited to popular species. You can find many interesting and rare beauties to decorate the interior.
10 unusual begonias for indoor floriculture. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Hello Botanical
The search for begonias โnot for everyoneโ should not start with the flower shops. There, unusual and rare species remain the exception to the rule. If there is any place to appreciate the delightful variety of species, then at exhibitions and in flower growers’ clubs, among plant fans in local forums, in markets and in botanical gardens. In private collections, dozens of favorites often remain unnamed, and they will easily appear in yours – from a leaf, a small bush or stem trimming. Curiosity is the best helper in finding original begonias.
When choosing an original begonias, you should be prepared for the fact that almost always we are talking about deciduous species: beautifully flowering begonias can be counted on the fingers of one hand, almost all of them have become popular and familiar thanks to the huge selection of hybrid varieties. But among the unusual begonias there are also interesting “generalists”.
1. Bindweed begonia
Vuyunkovaya begoniaย (Begoniaย convolvulacea) is rightfully considered the most popular of the unusual. It is the ideal choice for custom ampels and quick decorating of supports and walls. Looks great in complex compositions.
The flexible shoots of bindweed begonias curl and droop beautifully, almost completely hidden under the mask of shiny, bright green, kidney-shaped leaves. The illusion of the ideal form of greenery is broken only by a slight asymmetry and a delicate pattern of veins. The leaves of this begonia contrast pleasantly with the classic species and surprise with the freshness of their colors.
This begonia is extremely sensitive to excessive light, loving partial shade and coolness. To enjoy the speed of growth and beauty, you need accurate watering and protection from drafts.
ะะตะณะพะฝะธั ะฒััะฝะบะพะฒะฐัย (Begoniaย convolvulacea). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com buxbegonia
2. Begonia Drega
Some of the most outlandish begonias – the caudex begonias – are a great alternative to the classic bonsai. Begonia Drega (Begoniaย dregei) Is a semi-shrub up to 50 cm in height with a thickening partially hidden in the soil on a reddish, bright trunk, densely branching at the top. Finger-lobed bright leaves are reminiscent of maples and emphasize the uniqueness of the plant. Apical inflorescences with waxy white flowers shine all summer.
Drega’s shade-tolerant begonia requires only one thing – protection from excess moisture. Overflows are destructive for the plant. Cool wintering is desirable.
Begonia dregei. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com sarabroadband
3. Begonia bright red
Powerful sprawling bright red begonia (Begonia coccinea) surprises with shades of stems, simplicity of “flat” leaves and large clusters of drooping inflorescences. Due to its size, it seems extravagant.
This begonia is one of the decorative deciduous and flowering species of the reed or Cane begonias group. Thickening on straight, up to 1 m in height stems are characteristic of all bush begonias, but the leaves seem very special – classic and almost non-begonium. Simple, lanceolate-ovate, with a strongly pointed tip, they really resemble the wings of an angel and surprise with their smoothness, brilliance, grayish-gray shades and the thinnest reddish illumination along the edge. The spreading shields of the inflorescences are airy, large and dazzlingly coral-red.
A lover of partial shade and coolness, this begonia requires careful watering and often the installation of supports. She will need a lot of space in the interior.
Bright red begonia (Begonia coccinea). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com plantsrescue
4. Begonia Mason
Begonia Mason (Begoniaย masonian) Is a wrinkled star, offering to bring luxurious textures of unusual leaves into the interior, one of the prettiest “crumbs”.
Begonia Mason, with a height of up to 20 cm, surprises primarily with the splendor of the bushes. Shoots are almost invisible under the mass of rounded-heart-shaped leaves – pimply-wrinkled, decorated with a thin cherry border and resembling a Maltese cross with their spot. Light spots on the tubercles look like dew drops from afar. Nondescript beige flowers are almost invisible.
The appearance of colors depends on the intensity of the light. This is a light-loving species that does not tolerate drafts and cold, and loves accurate watering.
Begonia Masoniana. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Valery Chernodedov
5. Begonia carolinifolia
Begonia carolinifolia (Begonia carolineifolia) Is one of the most powerful begonias, creating sprawling tree-like silhouettes over time. This is an original alternative to palm trees for exotic lovers.
Ascending, lignified shoots gradually thicken, covered with beautiful large traces of falling leaves. The stems curl intricately, emphasizing the palm-like, palmate leaves unusual for begonias up to 30 cm in diameter on thick, reddish petioles. The veins on the bright leaves are not as conspicuous as the carved, coarse-toothed edges. Dense hemispheres of pink flowers are very elegant.
Warm and light-loving, this begonia is one of the easiest to grow. Requires abundant watering with drying only of the topsoil.
Begonia carolineifolia. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Ruud de Block
6. Begonia hogweed
Begonia hogweed (Begoniaย heracleifolia) – velvety, depending on the variety – almost black or emerald, in the right pot it seems almost artificial – its textures are so luxurious.
Large-leaved, with recumbent shoots, this begonia produces very large, rounded, finger-dissected leaves up to 30 cm in diameter. The coarsely jagged, spiky edges and silvery veins only adorn the plant, as do the red-brown stems and cuttings. Large, loose, light pink inflorescences are decorative, appear to be luminous, but they are often removed to maintain compactness.
This species requires diffused but bright lighting, breathable soil, protection from heat, and very gentle watering.
Begonia hogweed (Begonia heracleifolia). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com gold_thorn
7. Two-petal begonia
Begonia two-legged (Begoniaย led by) – an original medium-sized species from the number of thick-bodied begonias with a flawless uniform “forest” shade of green leaves, not very much like begonias and similar.
Straight, powerful, brown, non-branching shoots surprise with their rigidity, grow slowly. At a height of 30 cm, the plant seems to be densely leafy. Resembling asymmetric linden leaves, bright herbaceous green oblique leaves sit on long, up to 8 cm, pubescent petioles. And flaunt with serrated edges. The veins are deep, thin. It blooms almost without interruption, with delicate white-pinkish two-petal flowers.
Very demanding on lighting, this begonia is afraid of waterlogging and does not lend itself to forming. But this is one of the most cold-resistant species.
Two-petalled begonia (Begonia dipetala). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com begoniya.kiev
8. Credner’s Begonia
Credner’s Begonia (Begonia x credneri), known by the nickname of the pig’s ear, became famous for its “light” talents – the ability of leaves to shine through in the sun. It looks great in interiors with lots of metallic elements and velvety textures.
Large translucent oblique-ovate leaves in dense bushes on the back are painted in the same unusual pinkish tint as the shoots and very long petioles. The gray-metallic tone of the upper side and graceful thin veins contrast nicely with the red. The species can bloom all year round, produces large white or pink flowers.
Photophilous species, requires constant formation.
Begonia Credneri (Begonia x credneri). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com lost_in_thejungle
9. Spotted begonia
Spotted begonia (Begoniaย maculata) – a gigantic species of “reed” begonias, which conquers with its scope. In the interior, it is able to outshine even palm trees. But the first to attract attention are the leaves covered with delicate white specks.
The species is appreciated for the ripples on dark, sometimes almost black leaves. It requires a lot of space and quickly grows up to 1 m or more, showing off bamboo-like shoots. Lanceolate strict leaves and drooping elegant burgundy inflorescences are very original.
Unpretentious and relatively shade-tolerant, spotted begonia does not forgive mistakes with watering and requires considerable attention.
ะะตะณะพะฝะธั ะฟััะฝะธััะฐั (Begoniaย maculata). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Bramble & Moss
Read more about this type of begonia in the article Spotted begonia – green leaves with white peas.
10. Red-leaved begonia, or Fista
Modest size and lack of catchy details are not always a disadvantage. And one example is shade-tolerant, able to survive even after critical care mistakes. Red-leaved begonia, or Fista (Begoniaย x feastii, Begonia x erythrophylla).
It is a versatile, deciduous-flowering species with shiny, evenly dark green above and reddening below, easily traumatized, almost rounded leaves on long petioles. Bushes appear spherical, snake-like creeping shoots elongate with age and are easily controlled by pruning. Long, curving peduncles are visible between the leaves and bear rare clusters with pale pink small waxy flowers.
Even almost โnakedโ shoots of this species can transform with good care. The plant loves everything in between – lighting and temperature, substrate and air humidity. And only top dressing should be rare.
Red-leaved begonia, or Fista (Begonia x feastii, Begonia x erythrophylla). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com chicoguys
Read also our article The luxury of deciduous begonias patterns.
Dear readers! When choosing begonias from among the unusual, it is worth remembering that rarity is often a sign of non-standard requirements for conditions and care. And it is better to study the peculiarities of the species before buying, carefully evaluating all the parameters – and your ability to organize the content that begonias “not for everyone” will like.
