Begonia 'Cleopatra'
Garden Plant Information

Name

Begonia ‘Cleopatra'

Genus  

Begonia

Species

Cultivar/variety

‘Cleopatra'

General description

Tender, rhizomatous, short-lived, bushy foliage house plant, grown for attractive bronze leaves. Up to 20cm high.

Season of interest

All year round

Key horticultural features

1. Bushy habit.

2. Leaves palmate with serrated edges, slightly bristly. Bronze-green mottling with pale green veins.

3. Leaf stem pale green, fleshy, lightly bristled and spotted with red.

4. Small flowers born in clusters.

Cultural details

Aspect

Indirect sunlight.

Soil

Well drained gritty compost in a shallow pot. Dislikes wet roots.

Hardiness

Does best between 15-23c

Maintenance

Allow a winter dormancy period and stop feeding during this time. Remove old dead growth to prevent fungal problems. Repot one pot size up when plant has filled pot. Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushy growth. Susceptible to root rot and botrytis through over watering.

Propagation

From rhizome cuttings which can be rooted in sand or perlite, or from leaf cuttings.

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