Begonia x lucerna, a begonia with delicately spotted leaves

Begonia × lucerna are the enemy of excess water. Before giving your specimen a drink, always make sure the soil is at least five centimetres dry.

Like many plants, the plant prefers rainwater. But it's fine with tap water. Just make sure it's at room temperature.

During hot spells, water more regularly.

Remove any water stagnating in the cup under the pot. It can rot the roots.

Your Begonia × lucerna hates wet foliage. Don't mist the plant.

In spring, transfer your Begonia × lucerna to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Begonia × lucerna like to be cramped. Re-pot when the substrate has become too poor or if the roots escape from the container. Choose a pierced terracotta pot two or three centimetres larger than the root ball. Line the bottom with a bed of clay balls for drainage.

Your plant needs a light, rich, draining substrate. You can use potting soil for green or flowering plants with a little perlite. Pour in a layer of soil and place your specimen in the center. Fill in with the rest of the mixture, tamp down and water for the first time.

To increase humidity, place your pot on a dish filled with moist clay balls.

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Feed your Begonia × lucerna with a fertilizer for green or flowering plants.

Remove wilted flowers.

If you want your plant to keep a compact habit, don't hesitate to prune it. Cut above a node with a clean, sharp tool, such as secateurs or scissors.

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take a fifteen-centimeter section of stem or liana with at least three leaves.

Place your cutting in a glass filled with water at room temperature. Make sure you submerge the knots, which will form the roots.

Place in a bright spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water regularly to keep it clear until the roots appear.