Iron Cross Begonia

The leaves of this New Guinea species sport thick, chocolate-brown markings which radiate to the leaf margins, resembling the German Iron Cross. This beautiful coloration is set against solid green with an overall coarse, pebbled texture. It’s not uncommon for this begonia to go dormant in winter. While it’s tempting to overwater a withered plant — stop watering during dormancy. What this handsome begonia really craves is high humidity. Cover the plant with plastic or a glass cloche and keep the plant around 60°F/16°C for 6-8 weeks. You’ll see new leaves appear. When the plant is not dormant, water thoroughly, allowing the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid getting water on the leaves because they spot easily and are prone to mildew.