Begonia Ferox Care and Growing Guide

Begonia Ferox can be a wonderful houseplant that you can include in your indoor garden for a  unique display.

Begonia Ferox is the hottest-looking plant that can be a head-turner in your indoor garden. Read the care instructions below for all information.

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Begonia Ferox Information

Also known as troll begonia, the Latin name Ferox implies an intense or ferocious look. The leaves of this plant are covered in protrusions or bumps that appear like chocolate chips. These bumps are known as bullae; you may think they are harsh to touch, but don’t worry; they have a soft feel.

The bottom of the leaves looks interesting, with small craters covered in red veins. This plant has a wild and rough appearance, which led commercial plant growers to call it “the troll plant,” maybe because it’s catchy for selling. Begonia ‘Ferox’ is a new plant, found in China in 2011. People are still figuring out how to turn it from a wild plant into one that can be grown at home and sold.

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What Makes the Ferox Begonia Special

This begonia looks unique because of its bumpy leaves. The bumps, ending in pointy tips called trichomes, and the untidy arrangement of leaves give it a distinct appearance, like a mythical troll’s messy hair. A fully grown Troll Begonia has leaves that are 4 to 9 inches long (about 10 to 23 cm), depending on their age.

As the leaves get older, the bumps become more noticeable. New leaves growing from a leaf cutting are smoother, while young leaves directly from the rhizome start off burgundy-red. These young leaves show bumps, but you can’t really see them individually until the leaf is fully grown.

Despite its wild appearance, the red petiole (stem) of this begonia adds an elegant touch. In terms of size, the plant can grow to be 12 to 18 inches tall (around 30 to 45 cm).

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How to Propagate Begonia ‘Ferox’

This rhizomatous begonia can be easily grown from cuttings. Ferox can handle changes in watering better because of the moisture it stores in its rhizome. It doesn’t mean you can ignore watering it, but if you forget for a few days, it won’t die. It might just look a bit weak and droopy.

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Ideal Growing Conditions for ‘Ferox’ Begonia

Location

In the wild, Begonia ‘Ferox’ grows on the forest floor in the Guangxi region in the far south of China. Since begonias don’t like direct sunlight, don’t put them in a window that gets a lot of direct sun, like an east or south-facing window. Placing them a foot or two away from the window will give them just enough light.

Remember, these begonias grow quickly and need light to stay healthy. So, if you want a plant that doesn’t need much light, Begonia ‘Ferox’ might not be the best choice.

Soil

In its native regions, this begonia thrives on limestone and calcareous mountains. This plant receives nutrients from the organic matter and decomposing leaves. You can take inspiration from these conditions to help your begonia flourish.

Use a slightly alkaline, loose potting mix rich in organic matter.

Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy; for begonias, especially the rhizomatous types, a good way to water them is from below. Put the pot with drainage holes into a tray of water and let it soak up the moisture it needs. This method is great because it prevents water from pooling around the rhizomes too much – all the water comes from below.

Another benefit of watering from below is that it reduces the chances of water splashing onto the leaves. If you’re like me and have hard water, it can leave marks on the leaves over time. While it’s easy to wipe off watermarks on regular houseplants, it can be a real hassle on begonias with their bumpy spikes, like the Troll Begonia.

Humidity

Begonia prefers surroundings with high humidity.

In our homes, it’s considered not so great if the humidity is below 30 percent. Usually, the humidity inside should be around 30 to 50 percent, depending on how warm it is. But for begonias, it’s better if it’s 60 percent or even more. This can be a bit tricky indoors, especially during winter when we tend to use heaters.

You can raise humidity by following these tips;

• Put it in the bathroom or kitchen where the steam from showers or cooking makes the air more humid.
• Keep it close to other houseplants.
• Place your begonia on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
• Don’t let it hang out near things that make the air dry, like floor vents, radiators, heaters, stoves, and fireplaces.

If your begonia is not getting enough humidity, you’ll notice its leaves turning crispy and brown. Even tough and shiny leaves like those of Begonia ‘Ferox’ will start to dry out at the edges if you put the plant close to warm air sources.

Pests and Diseases

You will not experience any pest issues, but if you keep the foliage and stems wet for too long, they might start to rot. Once that happens, it’s hard to put a stop to it.

You might notice a strange thing with the stems, a phenomenon in plants that people usually grow in limestone. The plant’s tissue can split from the inside out, making the stem splay out in different directions, almost like peeling a banana.

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How can I clean a Begonia ‘Ferox’?

The simplest way to clean spiky plants like the Troll Begonia is by using a soft brush. I use a slanted watercolor brush or even a makeup brush to get the job done. Just a few minutes each month is all it takes to keep this begonia free from dust.

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