Begonia maculata è una perenne tenera nella famiglia Begoniaceae, coltivata per il suo fogliame ornamentale o fiori.
Bright, indirect light keeps foliage colourful and compact; morning sun is tolerated. Direct midday sun scorches the leaves, while too little light causes leggy growth and faded markings.
Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil dry out, keeping it lightly moist but never soggy. Begonias are prone to stem and root rot, so water at the base and avoid wetting the leaves. Reduce in winter.
Use a light, well-draining, humus-rich mix with peat/coir and perlite. Good aeration around the shallow roots is important.
Comfortable 18–24 °C; keep above 13 °C. Prefer moderate to high humidity, but avoid wetting foliage to prevent powdery mildew — use a humidity tray rather than misting.
Feed every 2–4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Reduce or stop in winter.
Pinch tips to encourage bushiness and remove faded flowers and damaged leaves. Mildly toxic if ingested (calcium oxalates), especially the tubers — keep away from pets.