Maple leaf begonia is a member of the begonia (Begoniaceae) family and native to the Philippines. The maple leaf begonia has a compact growth habit and usually does not exceed 6 inches in height. It has attractive oval, leathery, chocolate brown leaves with wide light green markings along the veins and along the leaf margins. The underside of the leaf is red, and the flowers are small and pink. Maple leaf begonia is a low-maintenance plant with a medium growth rate. Maple leaf begonia can be grown successfully in partial shade and accepts soil composed of some clay, loam or silt but requires good drainage. It can survive occasionally dry soil and the soil pH can range from acid to neutral. Indoors, it does best with filtered light and protection from low temperatures. Ideal temperatures range from 60 to 75 degrees F. The plant soil should be well-drained as the roots do not do well in standing water. The plant tolerates occasionally dry soil. It can be propagated by stem or leaf cuttings or by dividing the rhizome.. Maple leaf begonia can be a relatively hardy windowsill plant and can also be grown in a terrarium. It will grow more quickly in a terrarium, but may be less likely to flower. Suggested locations for maple leaf begonia include containers, terrariums, hanging baskets or window sills. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to root rot and botrytis through over watering. Remove dead foliage to prevent fungal disease. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Begonia – Rhizomatous Types .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Dense
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Obovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are oval, leathery, chocolate brown with light green markings along the veins and margins of the leaf. The underside of the leaf is red.
Flower color
Pink
Flower value
Showy
Flower detail
Clusters of small, erect, pale pink flowers from winter to spring.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Leaf stem pale green, fleshy, lightly bristled and spotted with red.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Phillipines
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants
Garden tags
#houseplant #easy to grow #interiorscape #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #showy leaves #low maintenance #Asian garden #container plant #window boxes #terrarium #variegated #herbaceous perennial #interesting leaves #contact dermatitis #pink flowers #problem for children #hortcontest #compact
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Dry Soil
Propagation
Division; Leaf Cutting; Stem Cutting
Fire risk
low flammability
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Roots; Sap/Juice
Poison symptoms
Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, salivation in dogs/cats. The most toxic part is the underground roots. The sap may cause skin irritation.