Begonia acutifolia
Cuban begonia
Description
Source: leafsnapBegonia acutifolia, the holly-leaf begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Cuba and Jamaica, and introduced to Saint Helena. Shade tolerant, it is kept as a house plant, or outside in USDA hardiness zone 9b or warmer.
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Partial sun
Holly-leaf begonia is native to habitats like forest understories or rocky sites, where it grows in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate full sun or deep shade, showing its versatile, hardy character.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Holly-leaf begonia comes from tropical areas, where the climate is typically warm and humid. As a result, it is well suited to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature changes well and prefers a steady temperature, so avoiding fluctuations indoors is important. It generally cannot withstand cold and needs warmer temperatures to grow. If the environmental temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
Appropriate fertilization is vital for the Holly-leaf begonia's health and appearance. Feed the Holly-leaf begonia in summer, repeating the feeding monthly throughout the season. Nutrients power growth and help maintain the plant's tissues. Fertilizing improves the Holly-leaf begonia's flower display, helping it achieve its best blooms.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Begonia
- Family
- Begoniaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 10-12
- Mature Height
- 30 cm to 61 cm
- Mature Spread
- 30 cm to 46 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Pink, White
- Flower Size
- 2.03 cm to 3.05 cm
- Bloom Time
- All year round
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- All year round
- Native Area
- Cuba, Jamaica