Begonia Tiger, a begonia with spotted foliage
Begonia bowerae 'Tiger'
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Begonias Begoniaceae
- Genus
- Begonia
- Species
- Begonia bowerae
The Begonia Tiger is not the work of Mother Nature, but of Constance Bower. In the 1920s, this enthusiast developed several cultivars. She obtained this variety with its tiger foliage from the Begonia that bears her name, begonia bowerae.
How to recognize Begonia Tiger?
Begonia Tiger is a perennial with a compact, bushy habit. It grows to a maximum width of 30 centimetres, with a similar spread.
Hairy stems emerge from a creeping rhizome. They support white petioles speckled with brown and covered with hairs.
The asymmetrical leaves are up to ten centimetres long. Light green, they are criss-crossed with brown spots, like a tiger's coat. Their margins are hemmed with eyelashes.
Begonia Tiger produces clusters of pinkish-white flowers. When grown indoors, they appear at any time of year.
Begonias can be dangerous if ingested or if they come into contact with the skin. They contain calcium oxalate. Keep your plant away from pets and wear gloves when pruning and repotting.
Our care tips
Begonia 'Tiger like humidity but have fragile foliage. Rather than misting your plant, place its pot on a dish of moist clay balls.
Watering
Let the soil dry out on the surface between waterings. Water your Begonia 'Tiger with non-hard water, such as collected rainwater. To avoid water stress, make sure the water is at room temperature.
If you use a saucer or a planter, remove any standing water from the bottom. It may cause the roots to rot.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Begonia bowerae 'Tiger' to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Your Begonia 'Tiger likes it cramped. Re-pot when the roots escape from the pot or have colonized the entire space.
Choose a pot with holes two or three centimetres wider and deeper than the previous one. Pour a drainage layer (clay balls, gravel, small pebbles, etc.) in the bottom.
Top up with potting soil for green plants, enhanced with perlite or sand. Plant your Begonia bowerae 'Tiger' in the center and add substrate.
Top up with potting soil for green plants, enhanced with perlite or sand. Plant your Begonia bowerae 'Tiger' in the center and add substrate.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
To promote growth and the appearance of new leaves, give your Begonia 'Tiger green plant fertilizer.
Prune
To encourage the growth of your Begonia 'Tiger, prune regularly.
Cut flowering stems when wilted. Use a clean, sharp tool to prevent the spread of disease and promote healing.
You can prune begonia 'Tiger to control its shape and development. Cut just below a node, at a 45° angle. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
You can prune begonia 'Tiger to control its shape and development. Cut just below a node, at a 45° angle. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Take a healthy leaf with its petiole. You can separate it from the stem with your hands or with a clean, sharp tool.
Pour a rich, well-draining substrate, such as potting soil for cuttings and seedlings, into a perforated pot. Mist the soil to moisten it.
Make a pilot hole and plant the petiole. Make sure the leaf is in contact with the soil.
Cuttings grow best smothered. Cover the pot with a translucent lid. Aerate for a few minutes a day to prevent rotting, and check that the soil remains moist. You can spray the soil, without wetting the leaves, to increase humidity.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- In potsIn tubs
- Categories
- IndoorHerbaceous
- Tags
- BeginnerFloweryToxic
- Origin
- Central America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Leaf colors
- Light greenBrown
- Flower color
- Pale pink
Discover plants from the same family
Begonia maculata 'Wightii'
Begonia maculata ‘Wightii’
Royal Begonia
Begonia rex
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
