Angel Wing Begonia Care Guide

Angel wing begonias (Begonia lucerna ‘Sophie Cecile’) are easy-to-care-for houseplants that grow up to 48 inches high. They produce pointed, dark green foliage–usually with white spots–year-round and delicate hanging pink blooms in the spring or summer. The exact shade of the blooms depends upon how much light the plant receives. Although they aren’t demanding plants, they do have some specific requirements if they are expected to thrive indoors.

Potting

• Grow an average-size begonia in a 6- to 8-inch pot, but larger plants need a pot as big as 12 inches. Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes. All-purpose potting soil is suitable for angel wing begonias, but improve its drainage by placing a layer of pebbles at the bottom of the pot.

Lighting

• Angel wing begonias need filtered light, according to Backyard Gardener. Place the plant in a room with bright light, but away from the light source. Heated sunrooms are an excellent place to grow this plant also, but direct sunlight will burn the leaves. If the plant doesn’t receive enough light, it will grow leggy and stop producing blooms.

Watering

• Denver Plants suggests keeping the plant’s soil relatively dry. If planted in a small container, angel wing begonias thrive if about the first half inch of soil is allowed to dry between watering sessions. If planted in large pots, allow the soil to become dry about an inch down before watering again. Typically, plants require watering two or three times each week.

  When watering, keep adding water until it begins flowing from the pot’s drainage holes. Do not allow the plant to sit in a saucer or bowl filled with water. Promptly remove the standing water.

Fertilizer

• Any slow-release houseplant fertilizer suits angel wing begonias. Apply fertilizer every other month if the plant is in its resting period (not producing new growth or blooms). Monthly application is appropriate during growing and blooming periods.

Pruning

• Prune once a year to keep the plant from becoming leggy. By cutting each stem to a slightly different length, the plant will develop a rounded shape. Do not remove new shoots and don’t prune severely or the plant may weaken.

Propagating

• Using clean hand pruners, cut a 5-inch length from the plant and place it in a cup of water in a bright window. Cuttings may also be dipped in rooting hormone and placed in vermiculite. Once the cuttings root, plant them in a pot.