Last updated on June 16th, 2022 at 10:49 am
The trout begonia is an easy-to-care-for houseplant that delights with its unusual leaf pattern. What you need to do for a magnificent growth, you read here.
The trout begonia is an unusually marked houseplant from tropical Brazil. You can recognize it by the bright dots on its leaves – in the sun they shimmer silver-metallic. In nature, the begonia species grows up to more than one meter high and half a meter wide. This makes it one of the strong-growing begonias.
By the way, sometimes, especially in English, you will also encounter the term polka dot begonia. “Polka dot” means dots or dot pattern and refers to the dotted leaves of the trout begonia.
Trout begonia: these are the conditions it needs to grow in
Although the trout begonia – botanical name Begonia maculata – is accustomed to tropical weather conditions in its native country, you can keep it as a houseplant in this country without any problems. As with all houseplants, it is important to find the right location. Only if you choose it well will your trout begonia thrive. This is how it should look:
- bright
- without direct sunlight
- about 20 degrees Celsius (in winter 15 degrees Celsius)
- no direct draught
Tip: The trout begonia tolerates morning and evening sun to a certain degree. Nevertheless, you should not expose it to the blazing sun, otherwise it can get burned. If you want to place it near a window, you should place it at least one meter away from it.
Besides, the trout begonia loves high humidity. Therefore, a place in the bathroom suits it very well.
Care for trout begonia: how to do it right
You can’t go too far wrong when caring for the trout begonia. Because although it is a tropical plant, it is relatively easy to care for and undemanding. Just keep the following points in mind:
- Substrate: the trout begonia gets by with standard soil for houseplants. Make sure the substrate stays nice and loose and permeable. If the soil solidifies, the plant can no longer draw nutrients from it. Then it’s time for new soil.
- Watering: You’ll need to develop a feel for the right amount of water for the trout begonia. The plant does not like extreme drought or waterlogging. You can let the root ball dry out to a large extent between waterings – but it should never be completely dry. From spring to fall, you should water about every four to five days.
- Fertilize: Between April and September, you should give your begonia extra nutrients. Every two to four weeks, you can apply a conventional liquid fertilizer or a homemade fertilizer through the water.
- Humidity: The trout begonia is native to the tropical forests of Brazil and is used to high humidity. Spray it with stagnant water every few days. This will also remove dust from the leaves.
- Repotting: If you take good care of your trout begonia, it will grow quite quickly. Therefore, you should repot it at least once a year, preferably in spring.