Begonia nigritarum

Philippine Spotted Begonia

Easy careTerrestrialMildly toxic10–20 cm

Widespread across the Philippine islands, Begonia nigritarum is one of the most variable begonias in the region — its dark green, near-round leaves frequently display subtle turquoise spots and vivid red undersides, though colouring varies considerably between island populations. It grows as a low, creeping rhizomatous plant on the shaded forest floor, often in spots that never receive direct sunlight. One of the easier Philippine begonias to keep, it does well in the steady warmth and humidity of a closed terrarium and spreads gradually via surface rhizomes.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Philippine Spotted Begonia image

Photo by tsailw·CC BY-NC $.0

Care

Prefers high humidity, low light, with 10–30 °C, and reaches 20 cm at maturity.

Light

Shade tolerant(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

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

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
10°C – 30°C

Soil

Peat moss(preferred)Well draining

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5 – 7

Propagation

Remove stem cuttings and root in a moist peat and perlite mix under high humidity. Araflora notes that trimming stems this way also helps maintain the plant's compact rosette form.

Native range

Native to Malesia.

Appearance

Growth habit

Creeping

Leaf shape

Round

Leaf texture

Smooth

Frequently asked

Can Philippine Spotted Begonia grow in a closed terrarium?

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

Does Philippine Spotted Begonia need drainage?

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

What humidity does Philippine Spotted Begonia need?

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

Is Philippine Spotted Begonia pet-safe?

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

How tall does Philippine Spotted Begonia grow?

Philippine Spotted Begonia typically reaches 10–20 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Philippine Spotted Begonia?

Philippine Spotted Begonia can be propagated by stem cuttings or rhizome division.

References

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    Jardiner Ong Sunog — A very dark variant of Begonia nigritarum

    https://jardinerongsunog.blogspot.com/2018/08/a-very-dark-variant-of-begonia.html
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