Begonia radicans
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Begonia radicans

Shrimp begonia

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: partial_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
21
Observations
10

Description

Source: leafsnap

Begonia radicans, the shrimp begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Begonia, native to southeastern and southern Brazil. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Partial sun

Shrimp begonia originates from habitats like forest understories or rocky areas, where it receives natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate both full sun and full shade, showing its versatile and hardy nature.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Shrimp begonia comes from tropical areas, where the climate is usually warm and humid. Consequently, it is well suited to high temperatures and moisture. It is sensitive to sudden temperature shifts and favors a steady temperature, so avoiding indoor temperature fluctuations is important. It typically does not tolerate cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Shrimp begonia needs the most fertilizer during its active growth period, which falls mainly in spring, summer, and early fall. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients the soil may be missing, encouraging healthy root and stem growth and supporting attractive foliage, a prominent feature of this plant.

🪴 Pot & Repot 2-3 years

When repotting Shrimp begonia, select a pot 1-2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) larger with ample drainage. Use a well-draining potting mix. Repot in spring or fall, making sure the root ball sits slightly lower than the rim of the flower pot. Water thoroughly after repotting and place the plant in a warm spot with indirect sunlight.

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

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb, Vine
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
Deciduous
Flower Color
Red, Pink, White
Flower Size
2.03 cm to 3.05 cm
Bloom Time
All year round
Planting Time
Spring
Harvest Time
All year round
Native Area
Brazil

Tags (6)

Common Names (1)

en Shrimp begonia