With their unique colors, patterns, leaf shape and bright flowers, begonias are a stunning houseplant that will catch the eye of any guest. Considered a houseplant classic, they grow well indoors and are easy to care for. Begonias come in few forms, one of them being the cane begonia. Cane begonias are woody with erect, smooth and bamboo-like stems. They have fibrous roots and large, pendulous flowers that can last for a long time. The early forms of cane begonias were given the name “Angel Wing” because of the shape of the leaves. Angel Wings are quite diverse now but are generally defined by the overall leaf shape and the silver-spotted foliage with red underside.
Angel Wing Begonias are native to the Brazilian rainforest where they grow in the understory. This means they like moist, humid, shady conditions. Where other begonias might require a more careful eye, angel wing begonias are perfect as houseplants providing you can provide them with the warmth and humidity they crave, especially in the wintertime, and avoid direct sunlight. In the summer you can move your begonias outside to a partially shaded spot (barring you do not live in a desert environment).
Angel Wing Begonias are very popular houseplants because they are hardy and easy to grow, providing confidence to new growers. Their leaves are dotted with unique colors and long-lasting flowers. As long as you can meet a few basic requirements you will be rewarded with a happy plant that is also stunning.
With its dramatic colorful foliage the angel wing begonia (Begonia x corallina) is a stunning houseplant that can lend a tropical vibe to any indoor space. But just how tall can these beauties grow when cultivated as houseplants? While genetics plays a role, proper care and environment are key factors that affect the ultimate height your angel wings can reach.
The Basics of Angel Wing Begonia Size
Angel wing begonias are hybrids derived mostly from Begonia coccinea. As part of the cane begonia classification, they have tall, sturdy, bamboo-like stems that support substantial leaves. Given proper conditions, the erect canes of angel wing begonias can achieve heights of up to 10 feet in their native tropical environments.
When grown as houseplants, angel wings typically reach heights between 1-4 feet tall indoors Maximum growth depends on several key factors
- Genetics – Some angel wing varieties are more compact while others have taller growth habits
- Age – Mature plants grow taller than younger specimens
- Pot size – Restricted roots limit potential height
- Pruning – Regular trimming curbs vertical growth
- Light – Insufficient light decreases height
- Humidity – Dry air stunts growth
While angel wings can potentially become large houseplants, their ultimate indoor height can be managed by providing optimal growing conditions and using pruning to shape the plant and restrict size.
Ideal Conditions for Maximizing Height
To enable your angel wing begonia to achieve its full height potential as a houseplant, provide ideal growing conditions:
Lighting
- Bright, indirect light from an east or west window
- Avoid direct southern exposure which can scorch leaves
Humidity
- Minimum 60% relative humidity
- Daily misting of leaves
- Pebble trays or humidifiers
Water
- Even moisture – never allow soil to dry out
- Water when top 1-2″ of soil becomes dry
Temperature
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65-75°F
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Avoid drafty locations
Fertilizer
- Balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during growth
- Reduce feeding in winter
Potting Mix
- Light, well-draining mix
- Incorporate peat moss to retain moisture
With the right care, you can maximize vertical growth and enjoy the full cascading foliage display that angel wing begonias offer.
Factors That Restrict Height
While good growing conditions promote taller angel wings, certain environmental factors and care issues can limit size:
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Low light – Insufficient sunlight stunts growth.
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Dry air – Low humidity prevents plants from reaching full height potential.
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Underwatering – Drought stress inhibits growth and causes lower leaves to yellow and fall off.
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Overwatering – Waterlogged soil suffocates roots and increases risk of diseases.
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Deficient fertilization – Lack of nutrients may restrict growth.
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Temperature extremes – Exposure to cold drafts or overheating negatively impacts development.
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Small containers – Restricted root spread curbs access to water and nutrients.
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Excessive pruning – Overzealous trimming prevents plants from achieving natural height.
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Pests & diseases – Problems like root rot, bacterial blight, and mealybugs divert energy from growth.
By correcting any environmental issues and fine-tuning care, you can get your angel wings back on track to growing tall and strong.
Taming Fast Growing Angel Wings with Pruning
Left unpruned, some angel wing varieties can outpace their indoor living space quickly. Regular pruning helps keep growth in check and maintains a tidy shape:
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Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems at the base using clean pruners.
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Cut back leggy stems above leaf nodes to encourage bushier growth.
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Shorten overly long stems that become disproportionate in size.
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Shape plants by selectively removing inward facing shoots.
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Prune as needed during the active growing season to control size.
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Never remove more than 20% of foliage at one time to avoid stress.
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Sterilize pruners between cuts with isopropyl alcohol to prevent disease transmission.
Transplanting to Larger Pots for Added Growth
As angel wing begonias grow, they may become pot bound, limiting root development and in turn restricting height and foliage spread. Transplanting into larger containers gives roots more room to expand and provides support for taller growth:
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Choose a container 2-4 inches wider than the current pot.
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Use a houseplant potting mix amended with peat moss and perlite for drainage.
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Carefully remove from old pot and loosen bound roots before repotting.
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Position plant at same level it was originally growing and fill in around roots with mix.
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Water thoroughly after transplanting and allow it to dry slightly between waterings as it adapts to the new pot.
Enjoy the Unique Elegance of Tall Angel Wings
With striking foliage that demands attention, it’s no wonder why angel wing begonias make spectacular houseplants. Give them the right care and environment, use astute pruning techniques, and transplant to roomy containers, and you’ll be rewarded with a dramatically tall, cascading statement plant that brings a graceful touch of the tropics into your indoor space.
How to Care for your Angel Wing Begonia
SOIL: Begonias prefer a soil full of organic matter that can retain moisture but not so much so that the soil is soggy. You can use a generic house plant soil but mixing in compost is helpful while also avoiding peat. The heavier soil helps weight down the tall stems of Cane Begonias. That being said you do not want to get root rot so using a terracotta pot can help balance this out.
TEMPERATURE: Begonias prefer a warmer environment of 55-75°F (15-22°C) and can do well outside during the summer. If your temperatures drop below 40 then you risk harming your plant so bring inside come autumn. If you leave your plant inside year round then avoid drafts from things like air conditioners.
HUMIDITY: As expected of a rainforest plant, Cane Begonias love humidity. If you do not live in a humid environment you can attempt to recreate this by placing your plant in a bathroom, laundry room or kitchen. If this isn’t possible then you can invest in a humidifier, mist the plant regularly (I love this continous mister), or place the plant on a tray of pebbles with water in the tray just below the gravel line.
LIGHT: Cane Begonias like bright, indirect light though I have found success having them in east and north facing windows. The low light of morning is not too much for these plants but if you move them outside during the summer then be even more cautious to avoid direct sunlight. If your plant does not receive enough sunlight it will not flower.
WATER: Begonias like to be kept moist but not water logged. If your plant starts to sag, look wilty or get brown edges on the leaves then that it a sign of underwatering. Brown edges can also mean a lack of humidity. Let the top inch of soil dry out and then water thoroughly and let the plant drain. In the winter reduce your watering.
FERTILIZER: Feed your plant with fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season (May to September). You can use generic liquid fertilizer however if you want to increase the chance of blooming, use high phosphorous fertilizer in early spring.
STAKING: Staking Cane Begonias is essential over a certain height. Their canes can become brittle as they reach taller heights. That combined with their shallow root system and heavy leaves can lead to them tipping over. Use bamboo or plant stakes to help support the plant.
POTTING: Beognias prefer a tiny home over a mansion. Let them get root bound. When you bring home your begonia from the nursery be sure to remove it from the pot and check the root to soil ratio. Nurseries like to overpot so that they can charge for a larger plant. You need to repot when your plant has exhausted the soil or is pushing out of the planter. When you do repot, do so at the start of the growing season. If your plant has blooms though delay repotting.
PESTS: Watch out for infestations of aphids, red spider mite and powdery mildew. Use rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip or a cotton ball or an insecticidal soap to kill the insects. Then apply a gentle insecticide like neem oil to prevent another infestation.
LEAVES: Brown edges to the leaves can be caused by low humidity or underwatering (see humidty and water sections). Yellow or dropping leaves can be cause by overwatering or low light,
FLOWERS: If your plant does not flower it could be due to low light. If your flowers drop then it can be under watering or drafts of cold or dry air.
PROPAGATION: One of the most exciting things about begonias is how easy they are to propagate. My mom is always trading her begonias with her friends and neighbors. For all methods the best time to do this is in early spring at the start of the growing season. Cane Begonias can be propagated a couple ways:
- Division
- Remove the root ball and using a sharp, clean knife divide the ball into smaller sections making sure its a mix of old and new growth.
- Place each new plant in a fresh pot and water.
- Keep humidity as high as possible by using a humidifer, covering in clear plastic/tarp, or placing on a tray of gravel with water filled under the gravel line.
- Stem Cutting
- First you must locate a point on the stem where new roots, leaves or buds are shooting out. These are called nodes.
- You want to take 3-4in (7-10cm) cutting starting about half an inch below a node as new roots will come out here. You can remove the leaves from those first few nodes as they will be pushed into the potting medium.
- For an extra boost dip the stem cutting in rooting hormone.
- Insert into a sandy compost material and water thoroughly.
- Make sure to keep the cutting in a warm and humid area in bright indirect light.
PETS: This plant is toxic to pets if ingested in large qunaitites as it contains large amounts of a substance known as oxalate.
The leaves on this plant really do bring me joy; the diversity in the shapes, colors and the delightful speckles. They also remind me of my mom as she has so many types of thriving begonias scattered throughout the house. Tag me on Instagram with your Angel Wing babies @thegreenmadhouse and let me know if you have any questions below.
Types of Angel Wing Begonias
There are about 81 species considered Cane Begonias and within that almost 2,000 cultivars of those species. Not all Cane Begonias are Angel Wings as many types have rounded, elongated or star-shaped leaves. Angel Wing is the common name for a few different begonias. The most commonly associated species are Begonia Coccinea, Begonia Maculata, Begonia Corallina and Begonia Dietrichiana. The biggest idenitfying factor is dots and streaks on the angel wing leaf with many having red undersides. This isn’t absolute. The dietrichiana has smooth green leaves and no markings. Here are a few of the most common types:
- Begonia Maculata – This is one of the most common angel wings with its dark green leaves, rich red underside, and large silver spots. The red underside is said to have inspired fashion designer Christian Louboutin to create his trademark red-soled stilettos. Maculata’s can have white or pink flowers and reach fairly large sizes of 3 feet (1 meter).
- Begonia Albopicta – Albopictas have smaller leaves of around 3 inches (8cm) with wavy edges and a lance-shape. They are a medium, glossy green with tiny, silver spots. The flowers are a white-green and grow in clusters. There is a Rosea variety that has pink flowers.
- Begonia Lucerna – This is one of my favorite varietals as the leaves are quite large and the plant itself can get to 7 feet tall (2 meters). The leaves are olive green with silver spots, an oval shape, and have a slight ruffle. They produce large clusters of pink flowers.
- Begonia Dietrichiana – This variety is unique in that it does not have those iconic silver spots. The leaves are a bright green, velvety and have a lovely sheen. The outer edge and the underside has a red hue like a fall leaf. It produces pink flowers. Dietrichiana – This variety is unique in that it does not have those iconic silver spots. The leaves are a bright green, velvety and have a lovely sheen. The outer edge and the underside has a red hue like a fall leaf. It produces pink flowers.
Begonia ‘Double Polka Dot’ (Close) and Begonia ‘Maculata wightii’ (far)
How tall can a tree grow? – Valentin Hammoudi
FAQ
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