Begonia chlorosticta

Spotted Begonia

Moderate careTerrestrialMildly toxic10–40 cm

Native to the rainforests of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, Begonia chlorosticta takes its name from the Greek for 'green-spotted' — its olive-green leaves are dusted with pale spots and threaded with red veins that extend into the stem. It grows on the forest floor as an understory plant, making it well-suited to low or medium indirect light and the steady humidity of a closed terrarium. It comes in two colour forms: the standard green variety and a rarer reddish-brown form, both sharing the same spotted patterning and red-flushed stems.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Spotted Begonia image

Photo by 彭鏡毅 (Peng Jingyi)·CC BY-SA 3.0

Care

Prefers high humidity, indirect light, with 18–35 °C, and reaches 40 cm at maturity.

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerant

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
18°C – 35°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)Peat moss

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Propagation

Take healthy stem cuttings and root in a moist mix of peat and perlite or sphagnum moss. High humidity is essential during establishment — a closed container or humidity dome is ideal. Note that this species roots more slowly than most begonias, so patience is needed.

Native range

Native to Malesia.

Appearance

Growth habit

Bushy

Leaf shape

Oval

Leaf texture

Glossy

Frequently asked

Can Spotted Begonia grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Spotted Begonia prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Spotted Begonia need drainage?

Spotted Begonia prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Spotted Begonia need?

Spotted Begonia does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

Is Spotted Begonia pet-safe?

Spotted Begonia is mildly toxic if ingested — keep out of reach of pets and children.

How tall does Spotted Begonia grow?

Spotted Begonia typically reaches 10–40 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Spotted Begonia?

Spotted Begonia can be propagated by stem cuttings or seeds.

References

  1. 1
  2. 2

    Bloom and Bumble — Begonia Chlorosticta Complete Care Guide

    https://bloomandbumble.com/begonia-chlorosticta-complete-care-guide/
  3. 3

    Plant That Plant — Begonia Chlorosticta

    https://www.plantthatplant.com/products/begonia-chlorosticta
  4. 4

    FrogDaddy — Begonia chlorosticta Red Form

    https://frogdaddy.net/products/begonia-chlorosticta-red-form
  5. 5