Angel Wing Begonia Care: How to Grow Angel Wing Begonias

Angel wing begonias (Begonia coccinea), also known as cane begonias, are a type of perennial shrub known for their stiff, sturdy stems and green leaves shaped like folded wings. The angel wing begonia plant grows year-round and is native to South America. Angel wing begonias can grow much taller than other types of begonias—sometimes exceeding eight feet in height.

These popular indoor houseplants respond well to bright, indirect light and partial shade. As indoor plants, angel wing begonias do well in hanging baskets or in pots with a nutrient-rich potting mix. These tropical plants also fare well in high-humidity environments with mild to moderate room temperatures.

You can grow angel wing begonias outdoors year-round if you live in USDA hardiness zones ten or eleven. Outside of those zones, you can grow angel wing begonia plants indoors under certain conditions.

1. 1. Soil: Moist potting soil is ideal for angel wing begonias. However, be sure that the soil stays moist rather than wet to prevent root rot and other fungal diseases. Your angel wing begonia plant may thrive with an African violet soil mix enriched with perlite.
2. 2. Watering: Pot-bound angel wing begonias require frequent watering and misting to ensure the soil stays consistently moist. Browning leaves indicate that your angel wing begonia plant needs to be watered. At the same time, you’ll want to avoid overwatering, or letting your plant sit in a pool of water, to prevent powdery mildew from forming.
3. 3. Feeding: During the blooming season, feed your plant biweekly with a liquid fertilizer that contains phosphorus. This nutrient encourages flowering in angel wing begonias.
4. 4. Temperature: Angel wing begonias do best in room temperatures between sixty-five and seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. Angel wing begonias will die if the temperature drops below fifty degrees Fahrenheit.
5. 5. Humidity: Humidity levels of fifty percent or more are ideal for angel wing begonias. Consider investing in a humidifier if the air in your home is dry. Good air circulation is also important, so arrange your indoor garden in an airy (but not drafty) room with windows.
6. 6. Light: Keep your angel wing begonia plant out of direct sunlight and instead choose a spot with bright light from an indirect source. Strike the right balance of bright light and partial shade to help your angel wing begonia produce abundant flowers and foliage.
7. 7. Pruning: Prune your angel wing begonia plants regularly to prevent them from becoming leggy and overgrown. Use freshly washed pruning shears and slice off pieces below the plant’s joints.
8. 8. Propagation: After pruning your plant, save the stem cuttings and repot them to grow new angel wing begonias. Apply rooting hormone to the tips of the cuttings before planting them to help the new angel wing begonias take root.
9. 9. Pests: Angel wing begonias may attract spider mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies. If your angel wing begonia becomes infested, isolate the plant and treat it with a gentle insecticide. Neem oil is also effective at eliminating common plant pests.

The angel wing begonia plant comes in many different hybrids and cultivars.

1. 1. ‘Splish Splash’: Splashes of white adorn this hybrid’s large green leaves. The ‘Splish Splash’ cultivar blooms in shades of deep pink and magenta.
2. 2. ‘Silver Wings’: This easy-to-grow houseplant is notable for its silver-spotted leaves of a medium green hue.
3. 3. ‘Looking Glass’: The ‘Looking Glass’ begonia features silver leaves with olive green veins. It grows quickly and yields bright pink blossoms.
4. 4. ‘Anna Christine’: This begonia blooms with red flowers. Growing up to four feet in height, it is shorter than the average angel wing begonia plant.
5. 5. ‘Charles Jaros’: The ‘Charles Jaros’ begonia displays pink flowers. Growing to an average of eighteen inches in height, it is much shorter than other angel wing begonia cultivars.

Angel wing begonias are highly toxic to animals, so keep cats and dogs at a safe distance from your garden. Warning signs of poisoning in pets include tremors, diarrhea, and vomiting. Take your pet to a veterinary hospital if they display these or other symptoms, or if you suspect they have ingested any part of an angel wing begonia.

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