The begonia maculata is a magnificent diva that will steal all eyes. It has a beautiful dark green colour, decorated with silver or white dots, while the underside is a deep red. In fact, it is rumoured that Christian Louboutin was inspired by this plant to create his iconic red soles. But don't be fooled by its striking appearance, because it's much simpler to care for than you might think. With this begonia maculata care guide, you'll learn the secrets and keys to keeping it beautiful and reigning supreme in your collection.

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Get to know your begonia maculata

For a relationship with a person to thrive you must be willing to know their origins and history, because with that information you will be able to understand a little more about the individual's tastes and needs. The same goes for plants, so you should know that our beautiful spotted friend comes from the rainforests of Brazil. This gives you the first clue about what a begonia maculata needs: filtered light, constant temperature and humidity.

Tropical rainforests are characterised by spaces where abundant light filters through the tallest trees, where it is never cold, always humid and barely a breeze can be felt. Ideally, you should reproduce these conditions so that your begoña maculata will be able to grow and develop to be large and strong.

Maculata begonias produce beautiful flowers in the period between spring and autumn, clusters of small white flowers with a yellow centre. You don't need to do anything fancy to get your plant to flower, just stick to a more or less regular fertilising schedule and try to get good light conditions. If you find that it hasn't grown a single one, try moving it to a slightly brighter spot, as this will stimulate flowering.

Care for Begonia Maculata

Soil

The key to providing the perfect substrate for begonia maculata is one that can hold moisture without becoming waterlogged. Common commercial mixes work very well, especially if they contain a little perlite and wood shavings. You can supplement with a large handful of inorganic fertiliser and you will have the ideal substrate for a happy begonia.

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You can fertilise the substrate every 2 to 4 weeks during its growing season, using a balanced universal fertiliser, diluted by 50%. It is not necessary to fertilise in winter. This cycle will guarantee brightly coloured leaves and lots of flowers.

Lighting

Remember that your begonia comes from a place where it receives light, but never direct light. Direct sun can discolour its pretty spots and burn the tips of the leaves. Prefer lighting filtered by curtains or other plants, do not leave it near the window. Begonia maculata can survive in low light conditions, but don't overdo it, as the lack of light will cause it to grow long and with few leaves. Another sign of a lack of light is that the leaves will discolour a little, turn yellow and drop.

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Watering

Finding the perfect balance between watering frequency and your begonia's needs can be a little confusing, but there is only one rule to follow: let the top of the substrate dry out between waterings. Begonias maculatas need a certain level of humidity, but it is prone to fungus and root rot, so avoid overwatering.

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My method is simple: I have a wand (I use a disposable wooden stick) and carefully poke the substrate into the pot. If it comes out with wet substrate sticking to the tip but looks dry on top, it's time to water. If it comes out wet, wait another day or two. In a couple of weeks you will get the hang of watering and won't need to check it as often. Remember to reduce watering during the winter months.

Moisture

Many people complain that they buy their begonia maculata, keep it for a few months and then it dies unexpectedly. The mysterious causes of death of this plant are almost always linked to the humidity factor. It is true that it comes from a humid environment, but this does not mean that you have to spray it all the time with a sprinkler, as this will deteriorate its leaves. The secret is to always put it in a group with other plants and use water trays in the radiator when necessary. In very extreme cases or in winter, you can put a small humidifier in the room.

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Temperature

Unless you live in a very warm region, keeping your begonia maculata indoors is a safe bet. Because of its native characteristics, it can live very well in temperatures between 18° to 30°C, perhaps a little warmer during the day. If exposed to temperatures below 10°C it will die. Also keep it away from draughts, as they are bad for it.

Pruning and propagation

This exotic begonia is a slow grower, which tends to expand more in width than in height, but should be transplanted into a slightly larger pot each year in spring, at least 4 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. Avoid overdoing it with the size of the pot, as this can affect its roots.

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If you find it too long, with many branches and not very leafy, you can prune it. It is recommended to do this at the end of autumn, as it will conserve energy in winter and prepare to grow beautiful and lush in spring. But don't throw those clippings in the dustbin, as you can use them to propagate your plant. Select pieces of branches that contain at least a couple of nodes or buds, cut off the tips and place them in a container of water. Be patient and don't forget to replenish the water that evaporates. Eventually they will develop roots and you can plant them in their own pot.