Angel Wing Begonia (Begonia coccinea x Begonia aconitifolia)
Angel Wing Begonia (Begonia coccinea x Begonia aconitifolia)
Monthly Theme: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
Alas, another gardening season has quickly come to an end. The yardwork is all done (hopefully), the plants are cut back, the Red Cannas rhizomes are dug up, the tulips bulbs I received for my birthday are planted (thanks Chris!), and the outdoor yard art is stored away in the basement. While our plants sleep under a blanket of white snow, we can focus once again on indoor plants. With Christmas just around the corner, I decided this month’s feature plant should be the Angel Wing Begonia Begonia coccinea x Begonia aconitifolia. As we decorate our homes with Christmas Angels, let’s learn a little about the Angel Wing Begonia.
Angel Wing Begonias are considered hybrid cane begonias because their stems look like bamboo stocks. Cane begonias are the easiest type of begonias to grow indoors. These are a cross between Begonia acontifolia and B. coccinea. In 1926, Eva Kenworthy Gray of California developed this hybrid plant and she was just an amateur horticulturalist.
This plant can grow 10’ tall and it loves to produce hanging clusters of pink flowers. Flowers also come in white, orange/salmon, and red. In fact, it is my most persistent bloomer when it comes to indoor plants. As an added bonus, the foliage is pretty all year with speckled or streaked markings on the oversized glossy leaves, which are tinted red on the backside.
My plant was a cutting from my mom’s plant. Her plant was probably 15-years old when she passed 5-years ago. At one point, I thought I lost the plant, but luckily in survived and is once again thriving. Not surprisingly, the common name Angel Wing came from the shape of the leaves, which look like feathers or wings of angels.
Dealer’s choice – you (the Dealer) can let it grow long and lanky or you can keep them cut back for a short and bushier plant.
Smarty Plants Fun Facts
Angel Wing Begonia belong to the Begoniaceae family.
Plant the Angel Wing Begonia in a soil or soilless mix high in organic material.
Moist soil, but not soggy (allow soil to dry out between watering) .
Bright, indirect light; average room temperature (60-75°F).
Drawing by Theodora Demetriades
The More You Grow
Angel Wing Begonias are perennial flowering plants that are native to South America, which is why they thrive in warmth and humidity.
There are 1,500 species and 10,000 begonia hybrids. Some varieties include Super Cascade, Lucerna, Carriere, Apricot Shades, Million Kisses Elegance, Splish Splash, Silver Wings, and Looking Glass.
WARNING: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs so be careful
As is a common problem with many houseplants, watch out for pesty aphids and spider mites. Generally, mildew is not a problem with Angel Wing Begonias, but it can be with other begonias.
If your Angel Wing Begonia is kept outside during the summer, make sure you protect it from direct sunlight and too much wind. I stopped taking mine outside because it took too much of a beating.
It’s easy to propagate Angel Wing Begonias with stem cuttings. Simply cut a 6” piece with at least one node on the stem. Select a stem which is not currently flowering and remove the lower leaves. Place the stem(s) in fresh water and watch the roots grow over the next few weeks. Once you see healthy root growth, it is ready to plant in soil.
From April to October, fertilize once a month with a 20-20-20 mix. If you fertilize too much, you will get excessive cane growth.
The flowers are edible, with a tart sweet taste. However, I must confess that I have not tried to eat the flowers yet.
In summary, for a heavenly addition to your indoor plants, introduce an Angel Wing Begonia to the collection!