Angel wing begonia plant care is surprisingly easy and really rewarding. With correct care, these beautiful vegetation will present clusters of gorgeous, cascading flowers! However even in case you don’t get your plant to flower, the noticed leaves of the angel wing begonia are a sight to behold all on their very own.
Angel wing begonias produce each female and male flowers on the identical plant, and with the right care can bloom a number of occasions throughout summer time and fall of the identical yr. Once they do bloom, these vegetation will produce drooping cascades of fragile flowers that may be white, orange, pink, or purple.
Indoors, angel wing begonias can attain as much as 5 ft tall, however they’re extra usually grown as bushy tabletop vegetation, or in hanging baskets.
On this article, we’ll stroll you thru all the things you could know to look after these beautiful flowering vegetation, and how one can get them to bloom and supply a pleasant pop of shade in your area!
Angel Wing Begonia Identification
Begonias are a household of flowering vegetation, most of that are native to the tropical areas of North and South America. Angel wing begonias specifically come from Brazil and are perennial evergreen shrubs that may be grown indoors as houseplants or exterior in USDA zones 10 and 11. They’re a sort of cane begonia, that are characterised by sturdy stems with distinguished joints, out of which leaves and flowers develop.
These lovely shrubs are identified for his or her hanging, asymmetrical leaves that resemble the long-lasting form of angel wings. These leaves are often darkish inexperienced with purple or purple undersides and marked with silver, cream, or white “polka dots.” These leaves can attain as much as 6 inches lengthy.
Cane begonias are comparatively straightforward to look after, and angel wing begonias are identified for being among the extra easygoing members of this group. Right here’s how one can take the absolute best care of your plant!
Angel Wing Begonia Plant Care
Temperature
Some of the essential components of rising a wholesome angel wing begonia is holding it heat! These vegetation like a gradual temperature vary of 65-72 levels Fahrenheit. If temperatures drop under 50 levels, it could possibly kill your plant in a flash! Preserve your begonia properly away from drafts from vents and chilly doorways or home windows, and keep away from heating vents and fireplaces as properly. Preserve these temperatures as regular as potential to encourage progress and flowering!
Mild
Angel wing begonias want ample gentle to provide flowers, so make sure that to supply your plant with loads of vibrant, oblique daylight. One of the best placement for that is often in an east-facing window, or close to a south- or west-facing window, however far again sufficient that the robust noon and afternoon solar received’t shine immediately on the leaves. Angel wing begonia leaves will scorch simply when uncovered to direct daylight, so keep away from this!
A north-facing window in all probability received’t present sufficient gentle for these vegetation to flower, but when that’s all you will have, you’ll be able to all the time complement with a develop gentle. We love these bulbs you’ll be able to merely insert into common lighting fixtures for the perfect steadiness of sunshine and aesthetic enchantment!
Mild is essential for these vegetation to bloom, however in case you’re going for greenery and never essentially flowers, a north-facing window and even partial shade can do the trick.
Humidity
These vegetation love humidity! Angel wing begonias are native to the tropics, so humidity is important for holding these delicate leaves mushy and supple.
Preserve your plant in a steamy toilet or kitchen or arrange a humidifier close to your plant, particularly in case you dwell in a dry space.
A humidity tray can also be a fantastic possibility in case your plant is small. You should buy considered one of these on-line or at a backyard middle, or make your individual by filling a shallow tray with water and pebbles and inserting your plant on high, pot and all. Simply make sure that the roots don’t contact the water. Because the water evaporates, it can create somewhat extra humidity round your plant’s leaves.
Soil and Potting
Plant your angel wing begonia in a wealthy, peaty soil combine. Indoor potting combine with a handful or two of peat moss and somewhat perlite works properly. You may additionally add somewhat compost for further diet. Should you purchase a bagged potting combine or make your individual from scratch, go for a impartial pH degree of about 7.
Use a pot with drainage holes to let loose extra water, and decide a dimension that’s just a bit bigger than your plant’s root ball. Terracotta is a wonderful materials for potting angel wing begonias as a result of it wicks somewhat further moisture from the soil. It may be difficult to get the moisture steadiness proper with such wealthy soil, however this helps!
Watering
Angel wing begonias like evenly moist (however not soggy) soil. Water your plant when the highest inch of soil feels dry to the contact or when a moisture meter reads 4. (We extremely suggest a moisture meter, by the best way, as a result of it provides you a greater concept of the general moisture degree of the soil past the highest few inches!)
Fertilizer
Fertilize your plant frequently with a balanced, light liquid fertilizer like Indoor Plant Meals. We suggest utilizing Indoor Plant Meals with every watering throughout the rising season to encourage progress and blooming.
Flowering
One of the simplest ways to encourage blooming is first with correct, constant care. Make sure that your plant will get ample water, humidity, gentle, and vitamins, and maintain that humidity excessive!
Why received’t my angel wing begonias bloom?
Should you’re having bother getting your plant to bloom, make sure that your plant’s lighting and watering circumstances are ultimate. Your plant needs to be getting loads of vibrant, oblique daylight throughout the day and darkness at evening. Your pot and soil must also drain properly, and be sure you aren’t overwatering as a result of this may discourage flowering.
Through the spring and summer time, you may additionally need to strive a fertilizer that’s somewhat heavier on potassium as properly.
To encourage steady blooming, make sure that to take away any lifeless or dying blossoms so new ones can develop of their place.
Pruning Angel Wing Begonia
Pruning is a crucial a part of holding your angel wing begonia wholesome and rising!
Make sure that to prune away any lifeless or dying leaves or stems so your plant can redirect its power to wholesome new progress.
It’s additionally essential to prune off lifeless or dying flowers (additionally referred to as “deadheading”) so the plant can continue to grow new blossoms!
Pruning may also assist make your plant bushier in case your plant is getting leggy and also you need it to develop extra leaves, nearer collectively. To do that, trim the branches simply above a node to encourage extra branching and leaf progress. You can too pinch off the ends of rising stems to get the plant to department out in that space!
How do you make angel wing begonia bushy?
If you wish to management your plant’s dimension or simply give it a full look, pruning is the reply!
Trim the stems above the nodes to encourage progress and branching. It’s additionally essential to ensure your plant is getting sufficient vibrant, oblique daylight so the plant doesn’t get leggy.
How do you break up begonias?
In case your begonia is rising horizontally and also you need to management its dimension (or just break up it into smaller vegetation), you’ll be able to separate the plant on the root ball.
Spring is the perfect time to do that as a result of your plant shall be actively rising, and in a greater place to get well from separation.
Tip your plant on its aspect and gently unpot it by working a butter knife or trowel across the within the pot to loosen the foundation ball. Do NOT pull your plant out by the stems!
As soon as the plant is out of the pot, therapeutic massage the foundation ball to loosen it as a lot as potential.
Then gently untangle the foundation ball and separate it into two or extra vegetation. If you could lower the foundation ball aside to separate it, use a clear, sharp knife to take action. Do your greatest to separate by untangling, although, so you must lower as few roots as potential!
When you’ve separated, pot the brand new vegetation individually and provides them a great watering. Don’t fertilize for a month or so after you’ve separated.
Propagating Angel Wing Begonia
Separation is only one method to propagate these vegetation!
Can you are taking cuttings from angel wings?
You can too propagate angel wing begonias from cuttings. So in case you’ve pruned wholesome progress off your plant, don’t throw these cuttings away!
So long as your chopping incorporates a node, you’ll be able to root it in water.
Place your chopping upright in a clear glass container with water and somewhat Propagation Promoter, then put it in a vibrant place. After a couple of months, it is best to have inch-long roots! As soon as the roots attain that size, plant your chopping in soil and look after it like a mature plant.
Angel Wing Begonia FAQs
Will angel wing begonias develop exterior?
These vegetation will solely develop outside in USDA zones 10 and 11. Should you dwell in different zones, you’ll be able to put your vegetation exterior in a shaded space so long as temperatures keep pretty constant between 65 and 72 levels Fahrenheit and by no means drop under 50 levels at evening.
How do you overwinter angel wing begonias?
One of the simplest ways to maintain these vegetation wholesome throughout the winter is to ensure their environmental temperature stays constant (this implies bringing them inside in case you aren’t in zones 10 or 11). Preserve them away from drafts and heaters as properly! Your plant may additionally want extra assist with humidity than standard as a result of indoor heating.
Your plant would possibly want much less water within the winter, so go somewhat lighter with the watering can. You can too fertilize half as usually as standard throughout the winter months.
Why is my angel wing plant turning inexperienced?
In case your plant’s leaves are turning inexperienced and shedding their lovely spots, test for bugs (particularly in case you maintain your vegetation exterior). Should you discover any pests, take away what you’ll be able to manually and apply diluted neem oil to the leaves.
Leaf Armor may also shield your plant’s leaves from bugs as a preventative measure.
Is angel wing begonia poisonous to cats?
Sure, this plant is poisonous to cats, canines, and people. If in case you have curious pets or kids round who would possibly take a chunk out of your plant, this won’t be the plant for you!
Angel Wing Begonia Varieties
Angel wing begonias are available in a lot of differing kinds, and in case you like these, you’ll love their cousins, the dragon wing begonias!
What’s the distinction between angel wing and dragon wing begonias?
These two comparable begonia sorts are sometimes confused for each other, however they’re totally different vegetation!
Angel wing begonias are usually bigger and develop upright, reaching as much as 5 to six ft tall with leaves that attain 5 to six inches lengthy. The leaves even have jagged edges and usually purple undersides.
Dragon wing begonias are usually a bit smaller, solely reaching 2 to 4 ft tall with leaves at 2 to three inches lengthy. The canes of this plant additionally curve, so that you’ll usually see these rising in hanging baskets.
Anna Christine angel wing begonia
If you’d like one thing somewhat smaller than the everyday angel wing begonia, strive the Anna Christine cultivar! This selection is barely shorter than most different angel wing begonias. You’ll additionally love its vibrant purple blooms!
Silver wings angel wing begonia
This beautiful cultivar is understood for being straightforward to develop and for its beautiful silver-spotted leaves!
Give Angel Wing Begonias a Strive!
Angel wing begonias are fairly straightforward to develop for a flowering plant, they usually make superb houseplants! There are many varieties to select from, and also you would possibly simply end up in love with their lovely blooms.