Begonia foliosa Kunth

Fuchsia Begonia, Fern-leaf Begonia, Corazon-de-jesus

Moderate careTerrestrialModerately toxic30–100 cm

A delicate, shrubby begonia from the cloud forests of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru — best known in cultivation as the variety miniata, which produces a near-constant flush of small, pendulous pink-to-red flowers on arching red stems. In the wild it grows in wet tropical forests at altitude, which explains its love of steady humidity and dislike of strong direct sun. Its tiny, toothed, glossy leaves give it a fern-like silhouette that works beautifully in a tall closed terrarium, and the fine foliage responds well to regular trimming to keep the shape compact.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Fuchsia Begonia image

Photo by Nolan Exe·CC BY 4.0

Care

Prefers high humidity, indirect light, with 10–30 °C, and reaches 100 cm at maturity.

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerantBright indirect

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
10°C – 30°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)Peat mossOrchid mix

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

6.1 – 7.3

Propagation

Take a healthy stem section 8–12 cm long, cutting just below a node at a 45-degree angle. Strip lower leaves and allow the cut end to callus for a day or two before placing in moist, well-draining mix or a glass of water. High humidity and 24–27 °C speeds rooting considerably — a propagation box or enclosed container works well.

Native range

Native to Northern South America and Western South America.

Appearance

Growth habit

BushyTrailing

Leaf shape

OvalToothed

Leaf texture

Glossy

Frequently asked

Can Fuchsia Begonia grow in a closed terrarium?

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

Does Fuchsia Begonia need drainage?

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

What humidity does Fuchsia Begonia need?

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

Is Fuchsia Begonia pet-safe?

Fuchsia Begonia is moderately toxic if ingested — keep out of reach of pets and children.

How tall does Fuchsia Begonia grow?

Fuchsia Begonia typically reaches 30–100 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Fuchsia Begonia?

Fuchsia Begonia can be propagated by stem cuttings or leaf cuttings.

References

  1. 1

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Begonia foliosa var. miniata (synonym record)

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30564-2
  2. 2

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Begonia foliosa Kunth (accepted species)

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:104692-1
  3. 3
  4. 4

    RHS Plant Finder — Begonia foliosa var. miniata (AGM)

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/2009/begonia-foliosa-var-miniata/details
  5. 5

    Biology Insights — How to Grow and Care for Begonia Foliosa

    https://biologyinsights.com/how-to-grow-and-care-for-begonia-foliosa/
  6. 6

    Plantophiles — Begonia Foliosa Care Tips

    https://plantophiles.com/plant-care/begonia-foliosa/
  7. 7

    Terrarium Tribe — Begonia foliosa: Top Tips for the Tiny Fuchsia Begonia

    https://terrariumtribe.com/terrarium-plants/begonia-foliosa-fuchsia-begonia/
  8. 8

    NE Herpetoculture — Live Begonias for Terrariums & Vivariums

    https://www.neherpetoculture.com/begonias
  9. 9

    Black Jungle Terrarium Supply — Begonia foliosa 'Miniata'

    https://www.blackjungleterrariumsupply.com/Begonia-foliosa-Miniata_p_2819.html
  10. 10
  11. 11

    Greg.app — Propagating Begonia foliosa: The Ultimate Guide

    https://greg.app/propagate-begonia-foliosa/