Begonia goegoensis
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Begonia goegoensis

Fire-king begonia

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: partial_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
5–6
Hardiness
Zone 10–11
Click count
44
Observations
25

Description

Source: leafsnap

Begonia goegoensis, the fire-king begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Sumatra. In 1882 it was exhibited by Veitch and Sons and received a first class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. Valued for its striking red-backed leaves, it can be propagated from cuttings, although seeds may do better.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Partial sun

fire-king begonia is native to habitats like forest understories or rocky areas, where it grows in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can adapt to full sun or full shade, showing its versatile and hardy nature.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Fire-king begonia comes from tropical areas, where the climate is generally warm and humid. As a result, it is well adapted to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature changes and prefers a stable temperature environment, so it is important to avoid temperature fluctuations indoors. It typically does not endure cold temperatures and requires higher temperatures for growth. If the environmental temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 5-6
Soil pH: 5-6
🌱 Fertilizer

Proper fertilization is vital to the health and appearance of the fire-king begonia. Fertilize the fire-king begonia during the summer, repeating the application monthly throughout the season. Nutrients provide the energy for growth and support the plant’s parts. Feeding the plant improves the fire-king begonia’s flowering, helping it achieve its best blooms.

🪴 Pot & Repot 2-3 years

When repotting a fire-king begonia, select a pot that is 1-2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) larger and provides good drainage. Use a well-draining potting mix. Repot in spring or fall, making sure the root ball sits slightly below the rim of the flower pot. Water thoroughly after repotting and place it in a warm spot with indirect sunlight.

Suggested frequency: 2-3 years
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Begonia
Family
Begoniaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-11
Mature Height
30 cm to 46 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm to 40 cm
Leaf Color
Dark Green, Maroon
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
Pink, White
Flower Size
2.03 cm to 3.05 cm
Bloom Time
All year round
Planting Time
Summer, Autumn, Winter
Harvest Time
All year round
Native Area
Indonesia

Tags (6)

Common Names (1)

en Fire-king begonia