Begonia foliosa is an interesting, miniature shrub-like variety that’s a natural fit for terrariums.
With crimson-red arching stems lined with many small, tightly packed toothed leaves, the foliage brings a bold woodland vibe. At least for a cute little shrub.
Softened somewhat by the pink fuchsia-like flowers that give it the name “Fuchsia Begonia.”
(I think the dense foliage and tree-like branching make it look a little like a bonsai tree).
However you use it, this dynamic terrarium plant is sure to bring a lot to the table. Find out how to bring the best out of this beautiful Begonia in your next project!
Where to Buy Begonia foliosa
See the links below to purchase from reputable terrarium plant shops and marketplaces (may include affiliate links).
Begonia foliosa Care & Growth
| Plant Type | Foliage |
| Lighting | Bright, indirect light |
| Temperature | 60-80°F (15-26°C) |
| Watering | Regular, even moisture |
| Humidity | High humidity (60-90%) |
| Growth | 5-15 inches+ |
Lighting
Flaunting such delicate foliage, it’s probably going to come as no surprise that you’ll need to keep this plant well out of the reach of direct sunlight.
Indirect light only, people!
- If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, I’d recommend a North or East-facing windowsill.
- If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, you’d be better off placing it on a South or West-facing windowsill.
It’s far better to err on the side of caution with this Begonia. Too much light will irreversibly damage the leaves, but too little will just slow the growth – I know which I’d rather!
Though in my experience this plant still grows surprisingly well in low light. As long as it has some light, you should be just fine.
Watering
If you’ve owned a Begonia before, you’ll know they’re extremely thirsty plants.
Being kept in perpetually moist conditions is this plant’s idea of heaven. Honestly, this is one of the qualities that makes it a great fit for closed terrariums.
Letting it dry out completely is never a good idea and will quickly result in one very unhappy plant.
It can be quite challenging to meet these water requirements without creating a soggy environment (which can be equally problematic), so you’ll need to make sure you have adequate drainage to avoid root rot.
If you’re keeping yours in a pot, drainage holes are the way to go, and in a terrarium, you can build a drainage layer of leca.
Anecdotally, they apparently don’t enjoy having wet leaves, so you might prefer to wat the substrate instead of the whole plant, but I’ve not noticed this myself.
Substrate/Soil
As important as in-built drainage is (and it is), choosing soil that simultaneously retains moisture and drains well is equally important.
Naturally, I’m going to recommend our own tropical terrarium substrate mix for the Begonia foliosa, which was designed with plants exactly like this one in mind.
(Don’t let the “terrarium” specification fool you – it’s suitable for tropical plants both in and out of closed setups!)
Amongst other awesome ingredients, it includes fluffy coco coir for moisture retention and chunky orchid bark to boost drainage. Win-win.
👉 Grab a bag of tropical terrarium soil on our store today.
Temperature & Humidity
As you might expect for a South American native, warmth and humidity are the two not-so-secrets to keeping your Begonia foliosa happy.
60 is the key number here.
I’d recommend keeping it in an environment no lower than 60% humidity and 60°F (15.5°C)
Naturally, keeping your home that moist can pose some issues, so I’d recommend keeping it as a bathroom plant or, of course, popping it in a closed terrarium.
Growth and Flowers
As you know, this plant’s common name is the Fuchsia Begonia, which is an ode to its magenta-colored flowers. So, you can imagine my surprise when I noticed these tiny little white blooms.
That’s right, as with other Begonia species, you can expect flowers from this plant to present in a range of shades, so you may not really know what you’re getting until it happens.
Despite its dainty leaf size, you can certainly expect this “Miniata” variety to grow fairly rapidly. You might find that it needs regular pruning to keep it in check.
While you’re at it, you might as well put those cuttings to good use…
Propagation
The Fuchsia Begonia will readily propagate via stem cuttings.
Snip off a palm-sized piece and place it in a glass of water (I find it makes sense to do this with any particularly awkward sections of the plant while trimming).
Try to ensure none of the foliage is in the water as it will cause them to rot – you can pinch them off if it helps.
Then, just let it work its magic. In a few weeks, it should be ready to plant and gift to a friend.
*Please excuse the green tinge on my manicure – I’d recently made a preserved moss wall, and damn, that stuff can stain! 😂
If your plant is large enough, dividing the plant into two can work really well, too, as long as you have plenty of roots in each section.
Just jam your thumbs into the roots and tease them apart. If necessary, you can use scissors to cut through any tough bits.
Varieties & Similar Plants
Honestly, there aren’t many plants quite like this one. It’s one of a kind.
The ‘Minata’ variety appears to be the most common (and seemingly only) available variety of Begonia foliosa, but there are lots of other suitable terrarium plants in the genus, e.g,. Begonia bipinnatifida and Begonia maculata.
I really like using Begonia amphioxus, too.
