Keen to hear your thoughts. Check for signs of root disease or damage and snip these off with sterile scissors. Want your indoor polka dot Begonia to bloom? However, the dryness of the soil determines when to water a begonia. The silver polka dots on the leaves could be mistaken for splashes of paint. When do you water them? If you can’t find a Begonia maculata locally, it’s worth to check around online. In this article, you will learn how to care properly for a begonia polka dot houseplant. No need for a green thumb to impress with this houseplant. Growing new plants from cuttings lets you increase the number of potted houseplants. Don’t see your Begonia problem listed? Begonia plants come in many varieties and hybrids, in different colors, sizes, and shapes. Fungal diseases or bacterial diseases that affect begonias include powdery mildew, leaf spot, botrytis, and Pythium root rot. Pruning and pinching back your angel wing Begonia is the way to make it bushier and full. Each stem is potentially a whole new plant, or a growing piece to place back in with the original plant to make it grow fuller. Begonia maculata is also called the polka dot begonia due to its silver-spotted leaves. And do you want to know something great? And let the pot drain completely before putting it back on the saucer or in its cache pot. Hi Leanore, I'm sorry to say but stems turning black is generally not a good sign. Learn more. We will also share tips on how to resolve common problems that can affect the fabulous begonia maculata. These pests can suck your plant dry if you don’t deal with them quickly. That's likely what you are seeing. Let’s talk plants! Tip: If you have to choose between a spot for your Begonia maculata in either full sunlight or somewhere in a darker spot, opt for the low-light spot. Humidity wise. Here are instructions on how to propagate begonia maculata: Even though begonia polka dot Wightii plants like to be slightly rootbound, repotting once a year is advisable. Whiteflies are small white-colored insects usually found under leaves. It will start with the roots rotting and turning black and mushy, then the rot will continue up the stem. Can you help me? Hi Kathryn, first of all, congrats on your propagation success! Although they tolerate some shade, bright filtered light is ideal. One of the most photogenic houseplants is the Begonia maculata, also known as the Polka dot Begonia. Your plant might look a bit bare for a while, but new leaves growing is a good sign. The best time to prune a begonia maculata is in late fall. Without knowing their situation and watering schedule it is hard to say. You can also pinch off small stems throughout the growing season. Caring for begonia maculata plants is challenging in winter. Begonia maculata is a type of cane begonia that has thick stems that support spotted angel wing-shaped leaves. If you don’t have a room humidifier, create a humidifying water tray. One of the delights of caring for a spotted begonia Wightii is that they are easy to propagate. The Polkadot Begonia maculata is a houseplant that is pretty easy to care for. If you live in warm climates and you grow silver spotted-leaf begonias outdoors, choose a bright but shaded area of your garden. The Begonia maculata likes bright, indirect sunlight. This article here covers the pruning and propagation process. Angel wing begonias like bright light to thrive, but they need to be protected from direct sunlight. If your only option is to mist, make sure you have a fine spray and don’t mist the leaves directly. Also, avoid getting the leaves wet when watering. The three ways to get the air moisture levels right are these: grow them together with other plants, place on a pebble water tray, or use a humidifier. Treat your plant to a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer every two weeks. Apart from draining well, a light, loamy soil that is aerated also helps with another care aspect. You could also combine sand, clay, perlite, and loamy soil to create a begonia potting mix. Having a begonia maculata in your room will instantly grab everyone’s attention. When choosing a new pot, choose one that is 2” (5 cm) wider than its current one. I can't quite work out whether I'm over, or under watering them. This post contains affiliate links.