Angel wing begonia is native to tropical regions. It produces beautiful long angel wing like leaves and dropping flowers.
These plants can tolerate the general home environment and temperature. This makes them easy to grow indoors.
If you like to have this plant in your plant collection. Then you need to learn about its needs.
Below I have covered all the growing steps that are necessary to keep it healthy in plant pots. Without wasting any time let’s check what it needs to grow and thrive in a home environment.
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About the plant
If you trim the begonia regularly then it will remain short about 1 to 16 inches tall. This height is good for office desks and home furniture.
But without pruning, it will grow 4 to 5 feet tall. Managing this large plant is somewhat difficult for indoor gardeners.
Because we have limited space for indoor growing plants.
Tip-over is the main issue with this plant when it achieves its full maturity. Therefore, do not use plastic pots. Clay pots are recommended for wing begonia.
Frequent repotting may require if you like your angel wing to grow 5 feet tall. I prune my plant many times a year.
It is 12 inches tall and has a nice fuller look. Because trimming encourages new growth.
The plants start producing new leaves with new stems.
Light Needs
Angel begonia needs bright light to grow. It needs plenty of light to carry out effective photosynthesis. The leaf color and the dots you see on the plants are results of full-spectrum light.
Sun is the natural source of the full spectrum of light. But in the afternoon, it emits high-intensity light waves. These light waves are very damaging to this plant.
Therefore, choose a place in your home where it can get morning or evening sunlight but not afternoon light.
Or
Simply place it few feet away from the sunny windowsill.
Where it gets enough bright light till 10 am and after that, it receives indirect bright light.
To grow it in dark areas, use 600 Watts LED grow light.
Potting Soil
I do not use soil for my angel wing begonias. I use African violet potting mix because it has all the qualities that make my angel begonia happy.
A soilless, airy, and lightweight growing medium is best for caring angel begonias.
These plants have soft roots. These roots cannot tolerate the heavy pressure of the potting soil. So, we need to grow it in lightweight soil.
This is the reason I always recommend a soilless mixture for most houseplants.
Do not use soil that retains a high amount of water in it. Because begonias are prone to root fungus and leaf fungus. Both diseases are the result of wet and water-logged soil.
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Watering Angel Wing Begonia
Your Angel wing will need more water in its blooming time. Summer is the flowering time of the plant. Due to hot weather, it may need multiple watering applications in a day.
But if there is good humidity in the air then it will need less water even in summer.
Cut the water supply to its half in the winter season. Keep the top 2 inches of the soil dry to keep your plant safe from winter overwatering.
Use plant pots with draining holes to drain an extra amount of water.
There must be 2 or more draining holes at the bottom of the pot.
Fertilizing
In the early stage fertilize it with high-nitrogen fertilizers. Because this is the time when angel begonia develops its leaves and stems.
In the blooming season which is late fall or spring, fertilize your plant with blooming fertilizer. Such nutrients supplements contain high phosphorous content.
Temperature & Humidity
Do not put this plant outside in the winter season. In fact, it cannot tolerate a temperature below 55 degrees F. The perfect temperature range is between 60 to 75 degrees F.
Below 55 f your plant starts dying due to cold.
Keep it in warm weather when the night temperature starts dripping down.
Also, protect it from hot or cold winds. Place it away from the direct flow of heating vents and AC. Do not place it near the doors.
Angel wing begonia likes to grow in high humidity. High humidity keeps its leaves fresh and shining. In low humidity, the leaf edges start turning brown.
To prevent all these problems, you need to increase the humidity to 60%. Anything less than 55% will cause problems.
Use the pebble tray method or spray water on the plant leaves to keep them moist.
At last, if the air moisture is too low the only option that will work in this case will be a humidifier.
Repotting
You will be relaxed to know that this begonia does not need frequent repotting. Slight root bound is necessary for a healthy plant.
If your plant needs repotting choose the pot with a draining hole. Also, select the clay pots only to prevent the tip over.
Early spring is the best time for repotting angel wing begonia.
Plants repotted in this season easily develop new roots and grow healthy. Do not repot it in the last days of the summer. It will risk your plant’s life.
Do not forget to change the potting soil while repotting the plant.
Fresh soil is necessary for the healthy development of stems and leaves.
Propagation
Despite all the methods and theories stem cutting is the easy-to-propagate method. Cut the 3 to 4 inches long stem.
Then dip the cutting in the rooting hormone and plant it in the potting soil.
Place the pot in high humid location but not in the bathroom.
Give it indirect bright light and keep the soil moist by spraying water on it. Within few days your stem cutting will develop new roots.
Toxicity
This plant is toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and humans. The sap of the plant contains toxic elements. Vomiting and excessive salivation are the few toxic symptoms in pets.
If you have curious pets at home then this plant is not for you. Choose other plants that are safe for pets and children.
Conclusion
Angel wing begonias are perfect houseplants that attract each attention. Visitors will surely ask you about the plant.
Avoid overwatering and low humidity to grow your plants healthy and safe.
Keep it out of the reach of your pets and children.
Regular trimming is required to keep it in the desired shape. Once it gets mature it will get less attention.
