Begonia 'Beefsteak'

🌿 Begonia 'Beefsteak', also called Begonia erythrophylla, is a rhizomatous begonia from the family Begoniaceae. Native to tropical regions of Central and South America, this plant thrives in warm, humid forest floors where it spreads through thick rhizomes. It's an intermediate-level plant, requiring attention to humidity and light but rewarding growers with remarkable foliage. Here's a fun fact: the underside of its leaves can turn a deep burgundy-red when exposed to bright light, making it look like a piece of raw beef, which inspired its quirky common name.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This begonia has a compact, mounding growth habit with leaves that emerge from creeping rhizomes. The rounded to kidney-shaped leaves are thick and glossy, with a bright green upper surface and stunning red-burgundy undersides. The texture is smooth and waxy, giving each leaf a polished appearance that catches the light beautifully.
FLOWER DETAILS
Begonia 'Beefsteak' produces delicate clusters of small, shell-pink to white flowers that appear on tall stems above the foliage. The blooms have a simple, five-petaled shape and lack fragrance, but their soft colour contrasts nicely with the bold foliage. Flowering typically occurs in late winter to early spring when conditions are right. To encourage blooming, provide bright indirect light, maintain consistent moisture, and avoid letting the plant get too cold during winter months.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS

🌞 Light: Bright indirect light is ideal, though it tolerates partial shade. Aim for 4-6 hours of filtered light daily. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
💧 Water: Keep soil lightly moist during spring and summer, allowing the top inch to dry between waterings. Reduce watering in fall and winter. Water at the base to avoid wetting the leaves and rhizomes, which can cause rot.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-60% humidity. Benefits from a pebble tray or humidifier, especially in dry indoor environments.
🪴 Soil: Use a well-draining, airy mix with peat, perlite, and bark. Slightly acidic soil works best.
🏺 Potting: Choose a shallow, wide pot with drainage holes, as rhizomes spread horizontally. Terracotta or ceramic pots work well. Repot every 1-2 years in spring when rhizomes outgrow the container.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate grower. Expect noticeable spread over 6 months, with mature plants reaching 12-18 inches wide and 8-12 inches tall within 1-2 years.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer. Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. All parts of the plant are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing oral irritation, drooling, and digestive upset.

WHERE TO PUT IT
Begonia 'Beefsteak' thrives in living rooms, bedrooms, or bathrooms where humidity is naturally higher. Place it on a shelf, side table, or plant stand where its colourful leaf undersides can be appreciated from below. It does well near east or north-facing windows. Avoid placing it in cold drafts, near heating vents, or in rooms with low humidity like basements or offices with dry air.