Begonia Arctic Breeze

🌿 The Begonia Arctic Breeze is a striking foliage plant from the Begoniaceae family, originally bred to bring cooler-toned beauty into indoor spaces. While most begonias come from tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Central/South America, this cultivar was specifically developed for its unique silvery-white leaves that almost glow in low light. It's an intermediate-level plant, meaning you'll need to pay attention to humidity and watering, but it's not overly fussy once you get the hang of it. Fun fact: begonias are one of the largest genera of flowering plants, with over 2,000 species, and they've been cultivated for centuries because of their incredible leaf diversity.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This begonia grows in a compact, bushy habit with leaves that fan out from a central rhizome. The foliage is the real showstopper—each leaf is heart-shaped with silvery-white surfaces and delicate pink undertones along the veins. The texture is slightly velvety, and the leaves have a metallic sheen that catches the light. New growth emerges with a softer pink blush before maturing into that signature icy white colour.
FLOWER DETAILS
Arctic Breeze produces small clusters of pale pink to white flowers on thin stems that rise above the foliage. The blooms are delicate and slightly asymmetrical, which is typical for begonias. They don't have a strong fragrance, but their soft colour complements the silvery leaves beautifully. This plant blooms sporadically throughout the year, especially in spring and summer. To encourage more flowers, keep the plant in bright indirect light and maintain consistent humidity. Remove spent blooms to redirect energy back into foliage growth.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light is best, around 6-8 hours daily. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the delicate leaves and fade their colour.
💧 Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. In spring and summer, this might be once a week; in winter, every 10-14 days. Water at the base to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to rot or powdery mildew.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-60% humidity. Dry air can cause leaf edges to brown and crisp.
🪴 Soil: Use a light, well-draining mix with peat, perlite, and orchid bark. Begonias hate sitting in soggy soil.
🏺 Potting: Choose a pot with drainage holes, ideally terracotta or ceramic. Repot every 12-18 months or when roots start crowding the pot.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate. Expect several new leaves every few months. In one year, it can fill out to 10-12 inches wide. Maximum size is around 12-14 inches tall and wide.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip fertilizing in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Begonias are toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, drooling, and irritation of the mouth and digestive tract.
WHERE TO PUT IT
Arctic Breeze thrives in bright bathrooms, kitchens, or near east-facing windows where it can get gentle morning light. It also does well on shelves or plant stands in living rooms, as long as there's enough ambient light. Avoid placing it in drafty areas, near heating vents, or in direct afternoon sun. Bedrooms work if you can maintain humidity, but keep it out of reach of pets and children.