Name: Begonia iridescens [non-exact] (iridescent autocorrect)
Brand: Sunshine State Foliage
SKU: BEG-IRID-NEX
Price: 33.75 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Home / All Plants (Excluding Marcgravia) / Begonia iridescens [non-exact] (iridescent autocorrect)

Begonia iridescens [non-exact] (iridescent autocorrect)

GenusBegoniaRegionSoutheast AsiaPlant GroupBegoniasGrowth HabitRhizomatousSetupTerrariumDifficultyIntermediate

Care information

Requires higher humidity, probably will not make a good houseplant unless you live in a humid environment, or are supplementing with a humidifier. Makes a fine patio plant here in FL, a good behind-glass plant indoors. Currently grown open-air in my plant room.

It has a blue iridescence, too!

✅ Ships semi-bare root.
Good airflow
High humidity** (can be acclimated lower to 30-40%RH)
Keep roots moist, not soggy
70°F to 90°F is the likely sweet spot for good growth
Medium light
Well drained potting media
Clay/organic/mixed substrates with good drainage.
Promix HP is my media of choice currently for this plant.

Plant Details

Airflow: Medium — Essential for "wetish" setups. Needs regular air exchange or internal circulation fans to prevent water from sitting on leaves, which helps avoid rot and fungal issues.
Family: Begoniaceae
Growth strategy: Terrestrial
Humidity: 80–100% — The "Sweet Spot" for most rare tropicals and shinglers. This high-saturation environment is essential for aerial root attachment to hardscape and ensures that delicate foliage maintains its turgidity and sheen.
Lighting: Moderate — Prefers bright, filtered, or indirect light. This is the "sweet spot" for most terrarium species; however, direct sun or high-intensity LEDs will scorch delicate juvenile leaves.
PH: 5.5–6.5 — Acidic (Optimal): The “Goldilocks” zone for most tropical terrarium plants, including Marcgravia. This range ensures maximum nutrient availability and mimics the natural decomposition of leaf litter on the rainforest floor.
Sales form: Rooted
Size: Medium
Temperature: 65–75°F — Ideal for "Cool-Growers" or highland species. These plants prefer the lower end of the tropical spectrum and may show signs of stress or heat-dropping leaves if temperatures consistently exceed 80°F.
Watering substrate: Damp — These plants love high moisture levels; the substrate should stay wet to the touch at all times but should not be sitting in a stagnant, waterlogged state.
World: Old World — Native to the Eastern Hemisphere: Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and surrounding islands.