Plant Type: Rhizomatous
Origin: China
Date: 1952
Description: Stunning textured green leaves with strong dark red/brown markings reminiscent of a German Iron Cross. It is commonly called “Iron Cross.” The flowers are small, white and fragrant but this plant is usually grown more for its stunning foliage.
Flowers are produced during spring and summer.
Cultivation: B. masoniana likes bright light, but not direct sunlight or it will bleach the leaves to pale green.
It will grow well under fluorescent lights and likes a well-drained potting mix so more perlite than usual is recommended. This plant can be affected by powdery mildew and poor air circulation and high humidity can bring this on. If cold enough, the plant will go dormant over winter but if covered with a glass or plastic dome and it will come back. It is slow to propagate, and may take a year to obtain a plant so patience is needed. It may be propagated from leaf wedge, cutting or seed.
Begonia Society of Western Australia 